A New Jersey hiker has been missing for more than a week in Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park where a raging “mega-fire” has exploded to more than 123,000 acres.
Thomas Daniel Gibbs, 35, last spoke with friends and family around noon on July 22 and was officially reported missing six days later — the same day his Tesla Cybertruck was discovered abandoned at a parking lot at popular vista Grandview Point, according to the National Park Service.
The Freehold native was believed to have embarked on a hike on the arduous Grandview Trail and Horseshore Mesa the day he was last heard from.
First responders launched an extensive search around Grandview Trail, with ground teams and search dogs as well as drones, NPS officials told Fox News.
As they searched, the Dragon Bravo megafire was torching more than 123,434 acres along the canyon’s northern rim and was only 13% contained as of Tuesday, according to the latest update.
Some 70 structures have been destroyed by the lightning-caused blaze, which has shut down the Grand Canyon’s northern rim for the remainder of the season due to widespread damage, NPS officials said.
Even so, the wildfire “did not hinder search efforts” for Gibbs, according to officials who said they managed “a thorough search of the area despite challenging conditions.”
“Responders from Grand Canyon National Park, along with Coconino County Search and Rescue, worked collaboratively to ensure a thorough search of the area despite challenging conditions.”
NPS said they’ve discovered “no evidence” of Gibbs’ whereabouts. They began to scale back the search over the weekend “due to the lack of further clues or evidence to suggest Mr. Gibbs was in the greater Grandview Trail area.”
The fire has been burning since July 4, fueled by hot, dry conditions and strong winds. The U.S. Forest Service declared a “mega-fire” on July 31 when the fire surpassed 100,000 acres in size.
It is the largest fire burning in the continental US and one of the top 10 largest in Arizona’s recorded history, according to Fox News. Driving around it would take you on a route as far as driving from New York City to Washington DC.
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