03:09 PM MDT on Friday, July 21, 2006

KTVB.COM

REDFISH LAKE – The search continues today for a missing Minnesota man lost in the Sawtooth Mountains for nearly a week. 

Jon Francis was last seen Saturday after going for a day hike in the Sawtooth Mountains.

Twenty-four-year-old Jon Francis was last seen Saturday, July 15 when he went for a day hike to a peak known as Grand Mogul.  He reached the summit and signed a book there, but has not been seen since.

Idaho Governor Jim Risch has authorized the one-day use of a Civial Air Patrol plane and a military helicopter for an aerial search. 

The Civil Air Patrol airplane is using a new sensor-driven device, being used for the first time in a missing persons case. The aircraft began searching just before 2 p.m. According to Col. Drew Alexa, Director of Advanced Technologies for the Civil Air Patrol, the technology known as the ARCHER system, is a hyperspectral reconnaissance imaging system that specializes in daytime searches. It uses reflective light to descern between natural and manmade objects. Alexa warns that it may be difficult for the system to detect a person in heavily wooded areas or under dense cover.

An Air Force helicopter with a more traditional infrared device took off shortly after noon today.  Both aircraft are expected to be up in the air the rest of the day.

While the aerial search is underway no one will be allowed to search the mountain on foot.

A search party of some 36 volunteers and family are currently searching a trail around Redfish Lake. Francis’ plight has attracted attention from throughout the country.  Volunteers have come from as far away as Colorado and Seattle, Wash. to assist in the search.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has also got involved in the effort to find Jon Francis.  He urged Gov. Risch to do all he can to extend the search after the Custer County Sheriff officially ended their search for Francis on Tuesday, saying they had covered all the ground that was safety to cover.