AUGUSTA, ME – Search and rescue efforts in the Maine wilderness are being bolstered following an unexpected and potentially crucial development: a sustained signal fire lit by Donn Harris, the principal actor in the independent film “Lost on a Mountain.” Harris, who has been missing for four days after filming wrapped on the project, initiated the blaze earlier this morning, a move that has dramatically shifted the dynamic of the ongoing rescue operation.

Initial reports indicated Harris was last seen near the summit of Mount Katahdin on Sunday evening, following a brief, impromptu hike after filming concluded. Authorities had focused their efforts on establishing a perimeter and utilizing aerial reconnaissance, but with limited success. However, the discovery of the large, carefully constructed fire – estimated to be over ten feet high – prompted a rapid reassessment of the situation.

“It was a clear indication that he was actively trying to be found,” stated Maine State Police Sergeant Michael O’Connell during a press briefing this afternoon. “We’re analyzing the location of the fire and its proximity to known trails. It suggests a deliberate attempt to attract attention.”

The fire itself has been meticulously monitored by a team of experienced firefighters, and the smoke plume is currently visible for miles. However, the dense foliage and challenging terrain continue to hamper efforts to reach Harris directly.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, a local hiker, identified as Silas Blackwood, who claims to have witnessed a brief, frantic exchange near the fire site Sunday evening, offered a potentially significant detail. “I saw him shouting something – couldn’t make it out clearly, but sounded like ‘Help me! Just…help!’ He looked genuinely terrified,” Blackwood recounted to reporters. “He was wearing the same faded flannel shirt he was in the movie.”

The film’s director, Robert Finch, expressed his concern and gratitude. “Donn’s a talented actor, but he’s also a deeply sensitive person. This whole situation is incredibly worrying. We just hope he’s okay,” Finch stated.

Search teams are now prioritizing a ground assault along the most likely routes based on Harris’s reported movements. The primary concern remains Harris’s well-being, particularly given the increasingly inclement weather predicted for the region. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings.