FOXNews.com: DAUNTING SEARCHRescuers Feeling Strain in Hunt for Missing Firefighter

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DAUNTING SEARCHRescuers Feeling Strain in Hunt for Missing Firefighter Sep 6th 2013, 20:54 It has been one week since a U.S. Forest Service firefighter was last seen in the rugged mountains northwest of here but the mood among rescuers remains hopeful as the search continues. Karen Takai, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service in Santa Fe, said all available resources are being used to locate Captain Token Adams, 41, of Jemez Springs, N.M. Adams, a veteran with the U.S. Forest Service, was last seen around noon on Aug. 30, deep in treacherous terrain searching for a growing wildfire caused by a lightening strike in the Jemez Springs Ranger Disitrict of the Santa Fe National Forest. The incident has become known as the Holiday Incident because Adams was last seen on an ATV searching for the fire, which spread to 30 acres in an area in the forest known as Holiday Mesa. The fire was later extinguished. "This is extremely unusual for a man with his training." - Karen Takai, spokeswoman for U.S. Forest Service Takai said Adams and two other firefighters arrived in a fire engine at the area where smoke was earlier reported. Unable to see the source of the smoke they separated onto respective ATVs, which she said is standard procedure. That was the last time Adams, who was supposed to check in by radio at least every 30 minutes, was seen. Officials became concerned when they hadn't heard from Adams for more than an hour and he failed to return to the hook-up point at the engine. All further attempts to locate Adams by radio or through his cell phone's GPS proved futile. "This is extremely unusual for a man with his training," Takai said. She said Adams is an experienced wildland firefighter who is meticulous in his actions. What concerns rescuers is the rugged terrain in the forest which includes sheer cliffs with 200-foot drops. "The brush is so heavy you don't realize the cliffs  are there until you come upon them." Takai said. While rescuers remain hopeful, the terrain and weather can be daunting. The past week has seen temperatures into the nineties and heavy downpours. Takain said Adams would have had enough food and water for three days but because of his training he could have made that last longer. Since Adams was reported missing, 200 to 300 people have joined in the search as well as a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter. Adams has a wife who is eight months pregnant and one other child. "We have to start thinking about the searchers, many have come down with sprained ankles and heat exhaustion," Takai said.  She said the search team is remaining optimistic but they also all recognize the risks of the job. "When you get into this business you know the risks," she said.

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