RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Wednesday, October 28, 1992

Release:   0830 EDT

INCIDENTS

92-577 - Sunset Crater (Arizona) - Tornado

A tornado struck the park just before 3 p.m. on October 24th.  It touched
down just south of the park, then moved across the Lava nature trail and the
main park road before moving onto Forest Service land near O'Leary Peak.  No
injuries or structural damage were reported, but over 200 trees up to three
feet in diameter were uprooted.  The funnel cloud was observed by several
park employees, some at very close range.  The park has conducted a
hazardous tree assessment, but only removed two trees, one blocking a
roadway and the other a trail.  Most damaged trees occurred in a closed area
with little public use.  The park will be placing a temporary interpretive
exhibit at the Lava trailhead.  [RAD/SWRO, 10/27]

92-578 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning

On October 24th, a park visitor reported that he had seen a man who was
fishing in Las Vegas Wash swept under near the point where it enters Lake
Mead during a thunderstorm.  He had attempted to rescue the victim, but was
unsuccessful due to the swift current and poor visibility.  The victim's car
and fishing gear were found, and he has been tentatively identified as
Sompis Gingsumrong, 34, of Las Vegas.  The search for his body continues but
is being hampered by fast moving water and near zero visibility.  [John
Jones, LAME, 10/27]

92-579 - Padre Island (Texas) - Rescue

Rangers Randy Reader and Carl Dyer were summoned to Malaquite campground on
October 24th to assist a 39-year-old woman who had collapsed on the beach. 
Soon after their arrival, the woman's respiratory system failed and her
heartbeat became erratic.  Rangers and a Navy corpsman who was camping near
the site began rescue breathing; after about 20 minutes, her heartbeat and
breathing stabilized and she was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. 
Tests revealed that the woman had been on a prescription anti-depression
drug which remains in a person's body for 21 days after taking it.  The
woman, unaware of this fact, had consumed alcohol four days after she'd
stopped taking the drug, thereby causing respiratory collapse.  Doctors
stated that she would have died if the rangers and corpsman had not promptly
intervened.  [RAD/SWRO, 10/27]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No field reports today.

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady at regional chief rangers' meeting, Seattle, WA
(10/27-10/28) and annual leave (10/29-10/30).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Martin, Marriott, Sisto and
Halainen at regional chief rangers' meeting, Seattle, WA (10/26-10/28) and
annual leave (10/29-10/30). 

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Erskine at regional chief rangers' meeting,
Seattle, WA (10/26-10/29); Gale at regional chief rangers' meeting, Seattle,
WA (10/27) and annual leave (10/28-10/30); Broyles instructing RX90 burn
boss course, Harrisburg, VA (10/26-11/6); Farrel at metro planners'
conference, Los Angeles, and site visit to Channel Islands, CA (10/17-10/28);
Berg on FIREPRO audit, North Cascades, WA (10/26-10/29). 

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