Rain Slows Search for Missing Boy Scout

Rain in the San Bernardino Mountains slowed the search for a missing Boy Scout on Tuesday, temporarily grounding a small fleet of helicopters that had been transporting searchers into the wilderness.

Despite dimming hopes that 12-year-old Jared Negrete of El Monte would be found alive, leaders of the search opted to continue at least through today. More than 150 searchers reported Tuesday to the search command post at the Angelus Oaks Fire Station.

Although the rain washed away tracks in the upper regions of San Gorgonio Mountain, where Jared disappeared July 19, a search spokesman said no fresh tracks had been discovered in the area for more than a week. “The window of tracking in that area is already almost closed,” said San Bernardino County Senior Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Lenew.