Fire lieutenant found safe after night in the woods
Peninsula Daily News
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Curt Kilgore was found safe in the Sol Duc Valley along the North Fork Sol Duc River in Olympic National Park at 12:45 p.m. Friday, said Barb Maynes, park spokeswoman.
Kilgore was not available to talk about his overnight experience in the wilderness.
East Jefferson Fire-Rescue Chief Mike Mingee said that he was expected to return to work today at the Lawrence Street fire station where he is C Platoon supervisor.
Mingee said Kilgore has been with the department for about 10 years.
"From what I hear, he's fine," Mingee said.
"He's an ex-GI, so he probably just hunkered down for the night."
Mingee expressed gratitude for Olympic National Park's search efforts.
"We had every confidence that the park staff would conduct a thorough and professional search, and they are to be commended," he said.
Kilgore went fishing Thursday afternoon with two friends along the North Fork Sol Duc River in the park's northern area, about 30 miles west of Port Angeles, Maynes said.
The section of river they were fishing is remote and accessible only by trail, according to the park's report.
The three began their fishing and hiking trip at the North Fork Sol Duc trailhead, about a mile south of Salmon Cascades along Sol Duc Road.
They planned to fish and walk downstream along the river about three miles, to the point where it meets the Sol Duc Road.
Separated
After walking down river for about a mile, Kilgore and his fishing partners separated, with Kilgore continuing downstream while the other two returned to the trailhead.
When Kilgore failed to meet his two companions on Thursday night, a hasty search was begun until conditions became too dark to continue.
The search began again early Friday morning, with nine parks searchers and about 15 members of East Jefferson Fire-Rescue and Jefferson County Search and Rescue looking for him.
Many of Kilgore's co-workers worked on their own time to assist park staff with the search, Maynes said.
Kilgore was found just shy of his intended destination along the Sol Duc Road.
Olympic National Park Superintendent Bill Laitner said, "We're very pleased that Lieutenant Kilgore was found safe and sound, and grateful to the many members of his fire company who came immediately to assist."
Last modified: October 13. 2007 9:00PM