RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           CC: RAD Information Net

Day/date:  Friday, February 10, 1989

INCIDENTS

89-17 - Gulf Islands - Suicide

The body of a 26-year-old Springfield, Missouri, man was found on the
afternoon of the 8th at Naval Live Oaks picnic area. The apparent cause of
death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A weapon was found near his body
along with a suicide note and a cassette tape in which he explained why he'd
taken his own life. The park, FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement
are investigating. (Carl Christensen, CR, GUIS, via SERO).

89-18 - Organ Pipe Cactus - Shooting Incident

On the afternoon of February 8th, a vehicle with nine illegal aliens on
board entered the park from Mexico. The vehicle was spotted and pursued
down Puerto Blanco Drive by Border Patrol officers until it ran off the road
and broke down. The occupants jumped from the vehicle and attempted to
escape. All were captured, while arresting the man who was attempting to
smuggle the aliens into the country, a shot was fired by a Border Patrol
officer which wounded the man in his arm. He was airlifted to Ajo for
treatment, and the drive was closed off overnight while an investigation
into the incident was conducted. It is not yet known why the shot was
fired. (Ed Lopez, CR, ORPI, via WRO).

FIELD NOTES

The four men who were charged with starting the North Fork Fire in
Yellowstone last summer (see the 2/1/89 morning report) have pleaded
innocent to charges of discarding burning material and improperly disposing
of garbage. According to the U.S. Attorney, "the four were not charged
specifically with starting the fire, although federal prosecutors would try
to link their actions and the end result in court." The men were allegedly
cutting wood in the Targhee NF near the park's border on July 22nd when they
dropped burning cigarettes on the ground. Although the subsequent fire was
attacked immediately, it grew rapidly and burned four miles into the park by
the following night. It was to become one of the biggest and most
threatening fires of the summer. (Associated Press).

STAFF STATUS

Healy at FLETC, Dabney in Seattle, Loach in Marana, Hodapp at GECA.

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities
FTS 343-4874/4875 or 202-343-4874/4875