RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/date:  Tuesday, March 28, 1989

INCIDENTS

89-56 - Big Bend - Follow-up on Shooting Incident

The section of the Rio Grande in the park which was closed to travel
following the shooting incident has been reopened. Coahuila state police
are working with the park's chief ranger on the investigation. They believe
that the Mexican police official for San Vicente knows the names and
possibly the whereabouts of the two assailants, and expect to have that
information shortly. The three rafters who were targets of the shooting
have since reported that one of the assailants actively chased them through
the brush on the American side of the border, and that one round came so
close that it took off a button on one man's shirt. (Bill Tanner,
RAD/SWRO).

89-57 - Saguaro - Assist to BLM Following Assault on BLM Ranger

As reported in the "Field Notes" of yesterday's morning report, BLM ranger
Jim Huff was shot but not seriously hurt while driving his patrol vehicle on
a county road in southern Arizona. Huff was driving up to a residence near
the west boundary of Saguaro to inquire about recent cactus thefts when he
was struck by approximately six pellets of birdshot through the open side
window of his vehicle. He was able to drive off, call for backup and obtain
medical assistance. Park rangers from Saguaro and deputy sheriffs from Pima
County responded to the scene. The shotgun employed in the shooting was
recovered, and Pima County officers have arrested a 14-year-old male and
charged him with assault on a police officer. Although Huff was not
seriously hurt, doctors were concerned about his eye and kept him in the
hospital for observation through the weekend. Before joining BLM, Huff was
a ranger at Saguaro; his wife, Elaine Huff, is an employee at the Service's
Western Archeological Center. (Bryan Swift, CR, SAGO, via RAD/WRO).

FIRE ACTIVITY

1) Fire Situation

a) National Park Service:

- Windmill Fire, Big Cypress (500 acres) - The fire started over the
  weekend, and burned 500 acres before being contained. The fire should
  be under control today. The fire is thought to have been set by
  an arsonist.

- Dynamite Fire, Big Cypress (135 acres) - The fires is burning in
  hardwood duff that is resistant to control and is so far uncontained.
  This fire is also thought to be the work of an arsonist.

Three other fires at Big Cypress have been controlled at under 10 acres
each. NPS hotshot firefighter squads will be flying to Big Cypress today.

b) Other Agency:

- Graphite Complex Fires, North Carolina NF's (300+ acres) - The
  fires are burning in bug-killed timber and rugged terrain.
  The fires were to have been contained by yesterday evening.

2) Fire Activity - 48 fires for 1,045 acres in last 24 hours.

3) Analysis - Warm weather throughout the southeastern US continues to
increase fire potential.

4) Prognosis - No significant fire activity anticipated.

(NTFFC Fire Management Situation Report, 3/27, 1630 MST; Judi Zuckert, BFM,
NPS, Boise).

TRANSMITTALS

Memorandum: "Recruitment of Prescribed Natural Fire Personnel for
Assignments in 1989", signed by Acting Associate Director, Operations, on
March 22nd and mailed today to all Regional Directors (Attention: Regional
Fire Coordinators).

STAFF STATUS

Loach at NPS-53 meeting in Las Vegas, Farabee at NCR chief rangers' meeting
in Harpers' Ferry.

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