RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           Ranger Activities Division Information Network

Day/Date:  Tuesday, June 2, 1992

INCIDENTS

92-232 - Natchez Trace (Mississippi/Florida) - Follow-up on Search

The search for twelve-year-old G.K. concluded around noon on
Saturday, May 30th, when she was released by her alleged abductor, G.S.P.,
28.  She was unharmed and in good shape.  G.S.P. was arrested
by the FBI at a motel west of Mobile, Alabama, early on Sunday morning. 
G.K. was abducted at gunpoint from the road bordering the eastern boundary
of Naval Live Oaks on May 27th.  Hundreds of volunteers participated in the
search of the entire 1,300 acres of Naval Live Oaks, and the search was in
the process of moving eastward when Genny was found.  G.K. said that her
abductor let her go because of the massive response to the kidnapping and
the associated publicity, which made her too recognizable.  The story of her
abduction was carried on "America's Most Wanted" on the night of May 29th. 
Subsequent to her release, G.K., who is a friend of the chief ranger's
daughter, said that she wanted to become a junior ranger because she likes
the park and park rangers.  [CompuServe message from Gene Phillips, CR,
GUIS, 6/1]

92-233 - Denali (Alaska) - Four Climbing Fatalities

A search was begun for four climbers on Mt. McKinley after they were
reported overdue.  An airplane search was initiated, and the foursome was
spotted making their way across an icy gully.  The medical camp at 14,000
feet was notified by radio, and a ranger there watched the men through
binoculars.  As he watched, the four slipped and fell 3,000 feet to their
deaths.  The bodies were found at 16,000 feet, but it's not clear if they've
yet been removed from the mountain.  The accident brings the death toll for
climbers this year to 11; the previous high was eight in 1967 and 1980. 
Details to follow.  [Associated Press news report, 6/3]

92-234 - Denali (Alaska) - Climbers Rescued

On May 29th, rangers received word that two German climbers - G.S.,
31, and C.M., 25 - on the mountain's West Buttress route
were in trouble.  G.S. was reported to have severe head injuries
sustained in a fall, and C.M. was said to have frostbitten hands.  Three NPS
volunteers, including a physician, helped them descend to 17,000 feet later
that day.  They were then picked up by the park's high-altitude Lama
helicopter, transferred to an aircraft at 7,000 feet, then flown to a
hospital in Anchorage.  District ranger J.D. Swed was in the Lama; ranger
Jim Phillips was on board the fixed wing cover aircraft; and Daryl Miller
worked from the ranger camp at 14,000 feet.  [Reuters news report, 5/29, and
cc:Mail report from John Quinley, Public Affairs, ARO, 5/29]

92-235 - Zion (Utah) - Flash Flood

At about 4:30 p.m. on May 29th, a large localized storm cell moved over the
North Fork drainage, producing intense hail, wind and rain.  Numerous
visitor vehicles were damaged, and up to 25 hikers were stranded in the
Narrows of the Virgin River.  Rangers successfully rescued two hikers,
treated six hypothermia victims, and evacuated portions of two campgrounds. 
Hail was reported up to two feet deep in some locations.  Subsequent rock
and mud slides resulted in the temporary closure of Canyon Drive and closure
of Gateway Trail for approximately one week.  It's estimated that the Virgin
River rose from seven to ten feet within 30 minutes.  [Pat Buccello, Acting
CR, via telefax from J.T. Reynolds, RAD/RMRO, 6/1]

92-236 - Hawaii Volcanoes (Hawaii) - Helicopter Accident

A Hughes 500-D helicopter belonging to Mauna Kea Helicopters experienced
engine failure over Chain of Craters Road on May 30th and autorotated to
hard landing on the road.  The helicopter was severely damaged; the pilot
and his four passengers suffered minor injuries.  Wreckage of the craft
caused the road to be closed to traffic, but at the time of the report it
was thought that it would be reopened by the following day.  Apparently
there was a change in engine sound, followed by chip lights and abnormal
gauge readings, just prior to engine failure.  The hard landing at an
estimated 10 mph was necessary to avoid hitting a tour bus on the road.  The
accident is being investigated by the FAA.  Although not on a departmental
mission, the aircraft was OAS carded and had been frequently used by the
park.  OAS has been notified.  [Jim Martin, CR, HAVO, via cc:Mail report
from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 6/1]

92-237 - Yosemite (California) - Assault on Ranger

On May 30th, ranger Mark Bush was on foot patrol on a trail near Vernal
Falls when he encountered C.B., who had a smell of burnt
marijuana about him.  Bush questioned C.B. about this, and received consent
to search his pack.  During the search, the suspect pushed Bush and fled. 
Bush almost fell over a 100-foot drop-off, but was able to catch himself and
arrest his fall.  A search involving eight rangers by foot, horse and car
ensured, but was called off 45 minutes later due to other priority incidents
occurring at the same time.  C.B. turned himself in to rangers the next
day.  He was booked for felony assault on a federal officer.  [John Roth,
YOSE, via cc:Mail report from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 6/1]

           *** More pending incident reports tomorrow ***

FIRE ACTIVITY

1) FIRE SITUATION - Preparedness Level 1

2) FIRE SUMMARY

State  Agency     Area            Fire                6/1     6/2    Status

 CA    USFS   Los Padres NF    *Pinal                 300     300    CND
       CDF    Riverside RU     *Cactus                600     600    NEC
              San Bern. RU     *Live Oak                -     100    CND

 ID    BLM    Boise Dist.      *Manns Creek             -     600    CND
                               *West Grindstone         -     400    CND

 AZ    BIA    Pima Agency      *Old Yellow              -     150    NR

NOTES:

- Fires - Asterisk indicates newly reported fire (on this report). T1 and T2
  indicate assigned Type I and Type II Teams.
- Status - The following abbreviations are employed:

  NR - No report received      MS - Modified suppression strategy
  CL - Controlled              MN - Being monitored
  CS - Confinement strategy    NEC - No estimate of containment
  CN (date) - Expected date    CND - Contained
     of containment

3) FIRE NARRATIVES -

* Voyageurs - All resources have been released from the Blind Ash Bay
  prescribed burn.  The park will continue monitoring from the air and
  ground until additional rain falls.  The Alpine hotshots left yesterday
  for Rapid City.

* Sequoia/Kings Canyon - The Arrowhead hotshots have been committed to the
  Pinal Fire in the Las Padres NF.

4) ANALYSIS - Initial attack activity continues with the warming and drying
trend in the West.
   
5) PROGNOSIS - No resource shortages expected.

[NPS Wildland Fire Summary, 6/2; NIFCC Intelligence Section, 0733 EDT, 6/2] 

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Yellowstone (Wyoming) - Grizzly Death

On May 21st, park visitors found the body of an 85-pound yearling female
bear cub near Park Point on the east side of Yellowstone Lake.  The carcass
was sent to the Wyoming crime lab in Cheyenne, where a necropsy was
performed to determine the exact cause of death.  The animal was not
collared or ear-tagged for identification.  Investigators have since
determined that the bear died a natural death from multiple injuries and a
crushed skull, and believe that it was probably killed by another bear. 
[Vickie Carson, RMRO]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) The Division of Ranger Activities in Southwest Region has been notified
by the Field Solicitor's Office that the Hare Krishna organization may
request permission at NPS areas to sell T-shirts and distribute information. 
Park areas receiving such a request should contact Gayle Manges, Field
Solicitor, at 505-988-6200 before granting or denying requests.  [Nelson
Siler, RAD/SWRO]

THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS

The following activities will be taking place in Congress this week on
matters pertaining to the National Park Service.  If you would like further
information on any of these hearings or bills, please contact Dottie in WASO
Legislation at 202-208-3636:

Tuesday

House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, National Parks and Public
Lands Subcommittee:

Hearings on HR-4030, to establish the Marsh-Billings NHP in Vermont, and
HR-4085, to amend the Act of August 7, 1961, establishing Cape Cod
National Seashore.

Wednesday

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee:

Hearing on S-2527, to restore Olympic National Park and the Elwha River
ecosystem and fisheries in the state of Washington.

Thursday

House Public Works Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Grounds:

Hearing on the 1993 budget request for the Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts.

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady at NCR chief rangers' conference, Williamsburg, VA
(6/1-6/5)

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Marriott at NCR chief rangers'
conference, Williamsburg, VA (6/1-6/5); Lee at health and fitness workshop,
USPP, Washington, DC (6/4) and FICM meeting, Washington, DC (6/5).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Hurd at I520/I620 cadre meeting, Marana, AZ
(6/1-6/3); Erskine and Botti on administrative/personnel visit, Seattle, WA
(6/2); Norum at joint meeting with USFS on natural fire practice/policy
planning, Washington, DC (6/1-6/4); Gale chairing I-520/620 cadre meeting,
Marana, AZ (6/1-6/5); Berg conducting FIREPRO audits, Lassen Volcanic and
Lava Beds, CA (6/1-6/5); Broyles at "RX 90 Burn Boss" faculty meeting,
Harrisonburg, VA (6/1-6/5); Clark instructing S-290 and qualifications with
BLM, Reno, NV (6/1-6/5).

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone:  Branch of R&VP - FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - FTS 268-5572/5573 or 202-208-5572/5573

Telefax:    Branch of R&VP - FTS 268-6756 or 202-208-6756
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977

CompuServe: Branch of R&VP - WASO-RANGER
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO-FIRE-WO

cc:Mail     Branch of R&VP - WASO Ranger Activities
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO Fire and Aviation