RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/date:  Thursday, April 27, 1989

INCIDENTS

89-59 - Kenai Fjords/Katmai/Aniakchak - Follow-up on Oil Spill

Exxon reports that 43,000 barrels of oil remain along the shoreline
throughout the region, and that another 28,000 barrels remain on nearby
waters. About 42,000 barrels have been recovered, and it's estimated that
127,000 barrels have evaporated. Here's a park by park breakdown of current
activities.

Katmai - Oil has now been found on the shore of Kashvik Bay, the
southernmost bay in the park (see attached map). A team of NPS, BLM and FWS
personnel from the shoreline assessment team walked about 2 1/2 miles of
beach and found spots of oil every four to five feet from the waterline to
the high tide mark. Oil and vegetation samples have been taken, and an
intertidal plot was established. Oiled gulls were also observed. Weather
along the coast has greatly improved, although strong surf has kept some
crews off some beaches. One of the Katmai coastal boats has returned to
Homer; a second boat will continue survey operations in the Hallo Bay and
Cape Douglas areas; a third will continue working the southern coast of the
park and intends to conduct surveys in Katmai Bay. Winds are up to 15
knots, seas are running from three to six feet, and rain and snow showers
are occurring.

Aniakchak - The vessel has been conducting surveys in Amber Bay, but radio
equipment problems have prevented communications with the Coast Guard in
Kodiak. Weather in the area is fair, with winds to 20 knots.

Kenai Fjords - A Corps of Engineers dredge is successfully collecting oil in
Agnes Cove near the Aialik Peninsula. A recommendation will be made to
Exxon that crews be directed to beaches to collect dead, oiled wildlife.
Fewer oiled birds are being found in the water, but many have washed ashore.
The park reports that visitation to headquarters and the visitor center is
above average, and that interpretation is developing displays and programs
on the spill and the Service's response. (John Quinley, PA, ARO).

89-78 - Great Smokies - Burglaries

On the evening of March 18th, park dispatchers received a report of
burglaries in the Wonderland Club complex. The responding ranger checked
one of the club's cabins and found that it had been burglarized and that two
people had stayed overnight in the cabin for one or two nights. Since it
was likely that the suspects were still in the area, the ranger called for a
backup; when the second ranger arrived, a full check of all the remaining
buildings in the complex was begun. Evidence of forcible entry or attempted
entry was found on another nine cabins and the Wonderland Club Hotel. An
investigation was begun to gain evidence and determine whether any items had
been stolen. While the investigation was underway, a Tennessee Valley
Authority (TVA) officer confronted two young men who were in the process of
burglarizing a store near Douglas Dam. One of the two men fired a shotgun
at the officer, but missed him. The two were arrested and confessed to
having spent time in the park, and evidence gathered by the rangers
tentatively identified them as the persons who'd broken into the Wonderland
buildings. The two men were subsequently identified as B.J.Z.,
19, and J.E.C., 18, both of Jeffersonville, Indiana. They
confessed to having been in the area for four days, and said that they had
come from Indiana in an attempt to flee from pending charges of grave
robbing in New Albany, Indiana. The two were charged by Sevier County and
TVA with felonious assault with intent to murder a police officer,
possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, possession of stolen
property, grand larceny and third degree burglary; the park will also file
burglary charges against the two men. (Pete Hart, CR, GRSM).

FIRE ACTIVITY

1) Fire Situation -

a) National Park Service:

- Strawhouse Fire, Big Bend (1,194 acres) - First information on this fire
  received late yesterday. The fire is holding at 1,194 acres, with a
  few hot spots on the north and west flanks, but containment was
  predicted for last night. A 20-person Mescalero crew, a 6-person NPS
  crew, 4 overhead, and a helicopter and fixed wing have been committed.
  The fire is burning in a remote area of the Dead Horse Mountains and
  has little possibility of escaping the park boundary or burning any
  structure. The fire is burning in grass and desert shrubs. The park
  has extreme burning conditions.

- Spring Creek Fire, Gateway (8 acres) - No new information today. Type
  I Team committed (Boggs).

b) Other Agency:

-	 Pin Hook Fire, State of Florida and NF's in Florida (1,000+ acres) - The
fire is located 22 miles from Lake City. No estimate of containment.

2) Fire Activity - 117 fires for 1,038 acres (4/25, 1630 MDT - 4/26, 1630
MDT); 16,935 fires for 398,424 acres (year to date).

3) Fire Weather - Florida - Highs in the 80"s along the coast and lower
   90's over the interior. No rain expected. Little change in conditions
   over the weekend. North and South Carolina - Highs in the 80's and
   90's. Partly cloudy Thursday and Friday, with scattered showers over the
   weekend.

4) Analysis - Low humidities, high winds and above normal temperatures have
   contributed to increased fire activity in the southeastern United States.

5) Prognosis - Fire activity in the southeast is expected to continue.

(NIFCC Intelligence Section, 1630 MDT, 4/25/89; reports from Charlie
Peterson, Acting CR, Big Bend).

OFFICE NOTES

1) Here's an update on the status of NPS-22, the recreation fee guideline:
The draft, which was distributed to the field last December, received a
considerable number of comments. The work group reconvened in Washington
last month to review the comments and make necessary changes. The
preparation of the final document is proceeding slower than expected, but
should be ready for approval by July. Distribution to the field is expected
in September or October, depending on when the GPO printing contractor
completes the job. (Wes Kreis, RAD/WASO).

STAFF STATUS

Dabney, Ringgold and Healy at regional chief rangers' meeting in El Paso
through Friday, Hodapp in Denver through Friday. Butch Farabee is acting
chief. Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection; Dave Butts is acting
division chief.

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone: FTS 343-4874/6039 or 202-343-4874/6039
Telefax: FTS 343-5977 or 202-343-5977
CompuServe: WASO-RANGER