(CNN) Wilderness training may have played a role in the survival of two sisters, ages 5 and 8, who were discovered safe after spending 44 hours in California woods, police say.

Caroline Carrico, 5 and Leia Carrico, 8 were found Sunday morning less than two miles from their home in Humboldt County, according to Sheriff William Honsal.

#searchandrescue #update Leia and Caroline were found approximately 1.4 miles south of their residence near Richardson's Grove. Here's a first look from the scene where first responders located the girls.

Press release with more information as soon as possible today. pic.twitter.com/k2bUTQOtrt — Humboldt County Sheriff (@HumCoSO) March 3, 2019

The girls had last been seen at their home Friday afternoon and Honsal described their discovery close to Richardson Grove State Park as "a miracle."

"This was rugged territory, this is an extreme environment and how they were out there for 44 hours is pretty amazing but it shows a resilience of people that actually grew up in this community. These girls definitely have a survival story to tell," he said during a news conference Sunday.

What happened?

Read More