Local

Still no sign of missing SFD deputy chief in Eastern Washington

The search for a missing Seattle deputy fire chief has ended for Wednesday night with still no sign of him.

Chief Jay Schreckengost has been missing since Nov. 2.

Over one hundred people searched in the hills above Cliffdell in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest on Wednesday, including state Search and Rescue planners, K9 teams, drone teams, 4x4 teams, mountain rescue teams and ground teams.

Several ground searchers consist of Seattle and other fire department personnel.

After several long, strenuous days, the search for the missing deputy fire chief is straining resources and people. But everyone here says they believe it is just a matter of time until they find him. Their big worry is the weather, which is mostly fine now. But snow could come at any time.

Anyone with information that could aid in the search is asked to call Kittcom at 509-925-8534.

Night fell here in Kittitas County with no sign of missing Seattle Fire Deputy Chief Schreckengost.

“Avid outdoors man, avid hunter,” said battalion chief Erik Hotchkiss.

He has worked with Jay Schreckengost for 25 of the 31 years the deputy chief has been with Seattle Fire Department. The frustration of not finding him after nearly a week is growing, even though he is missing in rugged, steep terrain.

“Because if something had gone wrong, Jay’s the kind of man who would have known what to do to help, take care of himself,” said Hotchkiss. “Create a shelter. Whatever it is.”

Those who know and love Deputy Fire Chief Schreckengost said he would also have the equipment to survive even in cold, mountainous conditions.

Schreckengost last texted his family Nov. 2. He told them he was leaving his rented cabin near SR 410 to scout for elk. His son was coming the next day and they were going to hunt together. But he did not check in that night. When his son arrived Wednesday with no sign of him, he called for help.

“We were able to have air support from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a Chinook helicopter,” said Inspector Chris Whitsett, Kittitas County Sheriff’s spokesman. “A helicopter from Chelan County came down and helped. We have drones from a couple of different counties that are searching. And all of those provide intelligence.”

The fruitless search so far is taking a toll even on a veteran like Inspector Whitsett. He still has hope of finding Schreckengost, alive.

It has been emotional.

“Yes, Ma’am,” said Whitsett, “of course. Always. It’s challenging and frightening. It’s a frightening thing to be in this kind of tough wilderness for a long time.”

The search each day begins before first light and ends as night falls. Of course, everyone here hopes they will find him — alive — long before that.