Searchers began day 5 today in their efforts to locate Paul Miller, 51, a Canadian citizen missing since Friday. Miller was last seen around 9 am on Friday morning as he left to hike to 49 Palms Oasis, a popular hiking trail in Joshua Tree National Park, accessed separately from Twentynine Palms. Miller’s automobile was found in the parking lot of the trailhead. Park spokesman George Land said there has been no sign of the subject. The extensive search has included over 90 ground personnel, augmented by helicopters and K-9 search teams from San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Overhead personnel from Death Valley, Mojave Desert Preserve, and Santa Monica Mountains have also been added to the operation. Extreme heat has been a challenge for search personnel and three searchers have been treated for heat exhaustion. Operations have been non-stop, daily from 6 a.m. until sundown. Efforts to use heat seeking equipment on aircraft have been hampered by ambient heat signatures given off by the terrain. Anyone having information as to the whereabouts of this individual or having any other pertinent information is asked to call: 909-383-5651.
