RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/date:  Tuesday, February 28, 1989

INCIDENTS

89-27 - Point Reyes - Search

When L.R., 34, of San Anselmo, California, failed to show up at work
on the 21st, fellow workers reported his absence to the city's police
department. A check of L.R.'s residence revealed that a weapon was also
missing. On the 23rd, rangers at Point Reyes received a "be on the lookout"
message with L.R.'s license plate number on it, and soon found his car on
Limantour Road. A major search for L.R. was initiated later that day, and
ultimately involved four search dog teams, about eight ground crews and a
helicopter. L.R.'s body was found by a search dog on the morning of the
24th. The cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Herb Gercke,
RAD, WRO).

FIELD NOTES

A three-member Austrian party has reportedly reached the summit of Mt.
McKinley, while a Japanese party and a lone climber from Anchorage are
both nearing the top of the 20,320' mountain. Up to this year, mountaineers
had accomplished winter ascents of McKinley nine times, with most traveling
in parties. In 1988, Vern Tejas became the first person to climb McKinley
alone in the winter and survive the trip. The Austrian party of
professional guides is now at their base camp at 7,200' awaiting a break in
the weather so that they can fly out. The Japanese party's location is not
known, and it's believed that they're "hunkered down" until high winds
abate. The solo climber, 33-year-old Dave Staley, began his climb on Sunday
and planned to follow the difficult Cassin Ridge route to the top. Such an
ascent has been accomplished only once by a team and never by an individual
climber. (Associated Press).

OFFICE NOTES

1) During the period of February 27 - March 31, Doug Erskine will be serving
as the acting agency representative for the Branch of Fire Management. Doug
will also act as branch chief during periods when Dave Butts is unavailable.
Dave is now in the process of transferring to Washington. (Walt Dabney,
RAD, WASO).

2) We are in the process of responding to several questions asked by
Congress regarding the FY 90 budget. The principal focus of attention is on
refining the justification and support of our request for $2.7 million for
drug suppression and on answering queries concerning fire management and
hazard fuel reduction. (Walt Dabney, RAD, WASO).

TRANSMITTALS

Memorandum: "Review of Preliminary FIREPRO III Recommendations", signed
February 24th by the Acting Associate Director, Operations, and mailed today
to regional directors in SER, WR, PNR, NAR, MWR, MAR, RMR and SWR. Requests
that selected superintendents in above regions review preliminary FIREPRO
III package and provide comments to Branch of Fire by 4/1/89.

STAFF STATUS

Dempsey on leave.

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