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Search for missing 68-year-old Columbia Falls man scaling down

Posted at 3:48 PM, Aug 10, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-11 12:50:52-04

Glacier National Park announced on Monday that the search for a missing Columbia Falls man is beginning to scale down.

Barry J. Tragen, 68, was last seen on July 22 and a search for him began on July 25 after he did not return to his vehicle parked near Kintla Lake. Ground search teams, canine search teams, aerial and water observations have all been utilized over the past two weeks during the search.

On Aug. 4 a pair of sunglasses believed to belong to Tragen were found in Kintla Creek. However, a park release said no new clues have been found in the search.

"The search effort will now transition to a limited continuous status, meaning the search and investigation will stay open, but active work in the field will be limited and focused on finding new clues," the release said.

“All available clues have been thoroughly investigated and resources depleted in the search for Mr. Tragen,” said Incident Commander Jim Dahlstrom in a statement. “We remain hopeful that additional clues come forward so that an active search effort may be renewed.”

Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Flathead County Search and Rescue, Two Bear Air, National Park Service Investigative Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have assisted Glacier National Park with search efforts.

Anyone that may have information regarding Tragen’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the park tip line at 406-888-7077.