RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                       MORNING REPORT

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

Day/date: Friday, December 28, 1990

INCIDENTS

90-444 - American Memorial (Saipan) - Follow-up on Typhoon Russ

Typhoon Russ passed 180 miles south of Saipan on December 21st. Although
the islands of Saipan, Rota and Tinian were placed on the highest
preparedness level, the maximum winds experienced in Saipan were 65 mph (the
highest wind speeds recorded in the typhoon were 180 mph). No significant
damage occurred in the park, but it was closed from 10 a.m. on the 20th
until 6:00 p.m. on the 21st. (Ed Wood, AMME, via CompuServe message from
Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 12/27).

90-450 - Virgin Islands (Virgin Islands) - Follow-up on Search

The search for the second occupant of the boat which capsized in park waters
ended on the 26th with the discovery of his body on the rocks outside the
beach at Caneel Bay Resort. The unidentified victim was removed by rangers
and released to the coroner in St. John. The overturned boat has been
recovered and is in the park's possession. No identification has been made
of either of the two men who were in the boat. (Telefax from Pat Stanek,
RAD/SERO, 12/27).

90-455 - Yosemite (California) - ARPA Theft

During the A-Rock Fire last summer, numerous archeological sites within the
park were exposed, particularly in Foresta, the site of a Miwok hunting camp
and burial area. After the fire, the park's law enforcement office received
information that members of a contract tree removal crew were removing
artifacts while clearing power line rights of way through Foresta.
Following a two-month-long investigation by park rangers, the suspects were
identified. On December 7th, the suspects confessed to removing the
artifacts, which included trade items obtained from Anasazi groups in the
southwest, and investigators were subsequently able to recover them. The
artifacts were valued at approximately $1,000. (CRO, YOSE, via CompuServe
message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 12/27).

90-456 - Organ Pipe Cactus (Arizona) - Successful Rescue

Rangers received a report that a hiker had been seriously injured in Alamo
Canyon on the 26th and began rescue efforts. The victim, 33-year-old T.T.
of Flagstaff, Arizona, was found to have suffered a broken leg.
T.T. was at the bottom of a canyon with 250-foot-high walls, which
precluded quick rescue by either manual litter or helicopter. He was kept
warm and comfortable overnight, then was extricated yesterday morning.
(Cheto Olais, GR, ORPI, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO,
12/27).

90-457 - Kalaupapa (Hawaii) - Shipwreck

At about 10:00 p.m. on December 13th, a 69-foot long-liner fishing vessel
with a crew of five on board wrecked on the northeast coast of Kalaupapa.
The crew escaped unharmed, but the stainless-steel-hulled ship was soon a
total loss as 12-foot seas pushed by winds gusting to 40 knots pounded the
ship into a lava tube stern first. The crew camped out until daybreak, then
walked out to the airport. About 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel escaped from
the ship's ruptured tanks, but it appears from initial surveys of the inter-
tidal and coastal spray zone vegetation communities that damage is minor and
that it won't be worth seeking compensation under 43 CFR Part II. Clean-up
is underway under Coast Guard direction. (Superintendent, KALA, via
CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 12/27).

STAFF STATUS

- Division Chief: No travel scheduled.

- Branch of Resource & Visitor Protection: Martin, Kreis, Coffey, Farabee,
  and Marriott on AL (12/26-12/28).

- Branch of Fire: Hurd and Broyles on AL (12/26-12/28).


Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone:  FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
Telefax:    FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977
CompuServe: WASO-RANGER (Branch of R&VP); WASO-FIRE-WO (Branch of Fire)
SEAdog:     1/650