BIG BEAR, Calif. — Authorities have confirmed that human remains found near Big Bear, California, in October 2024 belong to Carlos Baltazar, a U.S. Forest Service firefighter who disappeared in 2020 while off-duty.
Baltazar, a member of the elite Big Bear Hotshots, was last seen on September 20, shortly after the death of his colleague, Charles Morton, during the El Dorado Fire, FOX 11 reported.
His vehicle was later found abandoned near Highway 18 and Delta Avenue, with his backpack discovered nearby. Despite extensive searches, Baltazar remained missing for over four years.
Hunters came across a human skull in the remote Cactus Flats area on October 26, 2024. DNA testing confirmed in February 2025 that the remains belonged to Baltazar. However, the cause of death remains undetermined.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate, but no additional details have been released regarding the circumstances of Baltazar’s disappearance and death.
