Search Continues For Missing Seattle Firefighter

KITTITAS COUNTY, WA — The search continued Monday for a Seattle deputy fire chief who went missing nearly a week ago while hunting near Kittitas County. According to search teams, his truck was found parked along a forest service road in a rural area near Cliffdell, north of State Route 410 and west of Ellensburg.

Over the weekend, the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office confirmed the search was focused about three miles north of SR 410, where Jay Schreckengost was last known to be scouting for elk. Monday marked the sixth day of the search effort, which has grown to include hundreds of search and rescue volunteers and fire department personnel, along with Schreckgost's family.

In a brief update shared Monday morning, the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office said search teams were using K-9's, drones and helicopters from King County and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Approximately 60 people helped search the area ahead of potentially significant snowfall in the forecast, officials said.

Early Monday evening, the sheriff's office said it was also hoping to hear from the owner of a gray Jeep belonging to another hunter, which several witnesses reported in the area.

"There is NOTHING to suggest anyone associated with this jeep is a suspect in any wrongdoing, and we would ask that everyone refrain from wild and baseless speculation," officials wrote on Facebook. "We simply want to have the benefit of another pair of eyes that might have been in the area when Chief Schreckengost was on the move."

The sheriff's office said it was also following up on all tips from people who think they may have seen Schreckengost since he went missing and encouraged others with potential information to contact them at 509-925-8524.