RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/date:  Thursday, October 12, 1989

INCIDENTS

89-316 - Grand Canyon (Arizona) - Multiple Incidents

Along with the previously reported air crash, the park experienced a number
of other serious incidents on October 10th. Another air tour plane crashed
at the Hualapai Reservation landing strip at Grand Canyon West. This plane,
which was from Las Vegas, crashed for unknown reasons; although it flipped
onto its back, neither the crew or the passengers sustained any injuries. A
death which occurred near Mead View is now thought to be a homicide
connected to motorcycle gangs and a methamphetamine laboratory. There's no
detailed information on this incident yet, but reports will be forthcoming.
Another death occurred on an inner-canyon river trip which required
evacuation of the victim, and there were also three other incidents in which
serious injuries required medevacs. And park ranger Albert Delagraza broke
an ankle during a fall which occurred while he was on foot patrol near
Tapeats Creek. At the time of the report, he was awaiting evacuation from
that location. (Ken Miller, CR, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb
Gercke, RAD/WRO).

89-317 - Biscayne (Florida) - Regatta and Related Incidents

Over the holiday weekend, the park was host to the 36th annual Columbus Day
Regatta, the largest sailboat race held in the United States. About 550
sailboats competed in the race, and a fleet of over 3,000 spectator boats
was on hand. During the course of the event, which is known locally for its
large parties, rangers investigated numerous complaints, including an
incident in which one man pointed a loaded automatic rifle at another in a
dispute over an anchorage spot, a similar incident involving a loaded
handgun, several instances of domestic violence (one of which temporarily
involved a hostage situation), and numerous cases of drunk and disorderly
persons. Rangers also issued hundreds of oral warnings, courtesy tags and
violation notices for various boating, fireworks, firearms and drug
incidents. There were two serious boating accidents and one sinking, but
relatively few emergency medical cases. The incident was managed under ICS
(the incident command system); Biscayne rangers were assisted by Everglades
(six rangers, a dispatcher and three boats), the Coast Guard (16 boarding
officers and one boat), the Metro Dade Police Department and the Florida
Marine Patrol. (Telefax report from Bob Panko, BISC).

FIRE ACTIVITY

The NIFCC fire situation report is not available this morning. Due to the
low degree of fire activity nationwide, this section of the Morning Report
will be suspended until the situation warrants its further inclusion.

OFFICE NOTES

1) Dave Butts, Chief of the Branch of Fire Management, will be retiring from
the NPS on New-ember 3rd. Andy Ringgold, Chief of the Branch of Resource and
Visitor Protection, will became the superintendent of Cape Cod National
Seashore on November 5th. Both positions will be advertised in the near
future - keep an eye on the pinks.

2) Jenness Coffey will EOD in Ranger Activities next Monday. Her
responsibilities will include special park uses, rights-of-way, commercial
fisheries and grazing. She can be reached at 343-6380.

3) Special pay rates have been approved for rangers in the Boston area,
effective September 24th. The rates will apply to rangers in grades GS-3,
GS-4, GS-5, GS-6, GS-7 and GS-9 in the cities of Boston, Brookline, and
Cambridge and the counties of Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, and Norfolk.

STAFF STATUS

Steve Hodapp is at the Grand Canyon.

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
SEAdog:     1/650 (Phone:343-6014; BAUD:2400)