Search Efforts Intensify on Mount Hood
Clackamas County continues leading large-scale effort to locate missing hunter Devon Dobek amid challenging weather and terrain.
The search for 51-year-old Devon Dobek continues in Oregon’s Mount Hood National Forest, where rescue teams have spent several days combing rugged and fire-scarred terrain southeast of Estacada.
Mr. Dobek, an experienced hunter from Hubbard, was last heard from on Friday, October 31, when he failed to return home from a planned solo hunting trip. His truck was later found near the Fish Creek Trailhead, prompting a massive multi-agency response led by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
Expanding Search Efforts
On Wednesday, November 5, approximately 70 search and rescue personnel were deployed from across Oregon. Assisting agencies included Mountain Wave Emergency Communications, Portland Mountain Rescue, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, Hood River Crag Rats, the 304th Rescue Squadron (PJs), Mary’s Peak Search and Rescue (Benton County), and the Sheriff’s Offices of Deschutes, Marion, Multnomah, and Polk Counties, along with the U.S. Forest Service.
Drone teams operated by the Sheriff’s Office conducted multiple flights using thermal imaging cameras to detect potential heat signatures in heavily wooded areas. However, fog and high winds forced flight crews to limit air time.
Meanwhile, cell phone data analysis provided new leads, helping teams refine their search areas.
Conditions Complicate Search
Ground teams reported hazardous conditions, including unstable terrain, downed trees, and limited visibility in areas burned during the 2020 wildfires. Despite these obstacles, crews continue to push forward with coordinated ground and air operations.
Officials noted that safety remains a priority for all personnel involved. “The search area is extremely difficult, but these crews are trained for it and fully committed to bringing Devon home,” a Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said.
Community and Agency Support
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office expressed deep gratitude for the dozens of volunteers and partner organizations contributing to the search. Many have traveled from across Oregon, donating time, equipment, and expertise to support the ongoing mission.
“We’re incredibly thankful for the professionalism and dedication of every team member on the ground,” the agency said in a statement. “Their efforts are what make missions like this possible.”
The search will continue as long as weather and daylight allow. Anyone with information regarding Devon Dobek’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 503-723-4949.