The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is urging people to use caution when traveling in backcountry areas after rescuing four people who were stuck and lost for 12 hours Saturday.

The four were on national forest land near Burnt Cabin Saddle when their vehicle got stuck in the snow. The four didn’t know where they were and there was poor cellphone reception, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Deputies were called at 2:30 a.m. Saturday. The four were located by search-and-rescue personnel 12 hours after they got stuck. They weren’t prepared for backcountry conditions and were hypothermic and dehydrated when rescued, the news release said.

Snow is several feet deep in backcountry areas. People should be prepared with food, water, warm clothing and other supplies when going into the mountains. Those heading out into unpopulated areas should tell others where they are going, what route they plan to take and when they expect to return.