Big Bear News – Big Bear, CA – UPDATE: 9/28/20, 4:30PM – As of Monday afternoon, through investigation, deputies have learned that on September 20th, Carlos Baltazar may have been picked up near his vehicle on Hwy 18 and Delta Ave by someone driving a Subaru. Deputies are asking anyone who was in the area of Hwy 18 and Delta Avenue on September 20th to contact the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station at (909) 866-0100 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (909) 866-7581.
UPDATE: 9/27/20, 12 noon – The search continues today for missing firefighter Carlos Baltazar. Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue volunteers, deputies, Sheriff’s Aviation and, four K-9 units are searching the area near where Baltazar’s car was found on September 20th near Highway 18.
Friday, 9/25/20: The California Highway Patrol located a vehicle on Highway 18 between Baldwin Lake Road and Cactus Flats on September 20th belonging to Carlos Alexander Baltazar. Baltazar was reported missing by family on September 24th. Aviation, a K9, and a ground search was done after he was reported missing. Baltazar’s backpack was found 75 yards away from where his vehicle was located. K9s continued to track his scent but the scent was eventually lost. Deputies are continuing the search with bloodhounds. Carlos Baltazar is a US Forestry Hot Shot who was off duty at the time of his disappearance and was not in the area of the El Dorado Fire. He is described as a 35-year old Hispanic male, bald headed with brown eyes, 5’9” tall and 175 lbs. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Carlos Baltazar should contact Dispatch at 760-956-5001.
