RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Monday, December 28, 1992

Release:   0800 EDT

INCIDENTS

92-659 - Petrified Forest (Arizona) - Death of Employee

Beryl Neilsen, an interpretive and fee collection ranger who'd worked at the
park since 1990, died in New Hampshire on December 21st after struggling
with cancer for several months.  Beryl worked as a seasonal at Death Valley
and Saint Gaudens before becoming a permanent ranger at Petrified Forest. 
While at Petrified Forest, she served as an EEO counsellor, a member of
several committees, and president of the community club.  She will be
remembered as an energetic, hard-working employee who combined a no-nonsense
attitude with humor, grace, and a commitment to the National Park Service's
mission that was a constant inspiration to both visitors and her fellow
workers.  Beryl is survived by her husband, Lawrence "Sonny" Neilsen, three
children - Larry, Vanessa, and Kate, an interpretive ranger at Scotty's
Castle in Death Valley - and a grandson.  Funeral services were held on
December 24th.  Condolences may be sent to Lawrence Neilsen, HC 61, Box 20,
Acworth Road, Charlestown, NH 03603.  [RAD/WRO, 12/24]

92-660 - Bandelier (New Mexico) - Poaching

On December 12th, rangers found a cow elk that had been killed in the Cerro
Grande area of the park.  Only the hindquarters had been removed.  Eighteen
shell casings - both .45 and .22 caliber - were recovered at the scene. 
Another elk was poached earlier this season, and two hunters were cited for
hunting in the park in a separate incident.  One pled guilty in court and
received a deferred sentence of eight days of park-directed work in
Bandelier and loss of his rifle until the work is completed.  It's expected
that second hunter will receive a similar sentence.  [RAD/SWRO, 12/23]

92-661 - Petrified Forest (Arizona) - Assist on Structural Fire

The Painted Desert District fire brigade was called out to provide mutual
aid to the Sun Valley fire department on a house fire on December 22nd. 
Upon arrival, the brigade, which includes rangers, maintenance workers and
concession employees, found that the structure was eighty percent involved
and that a liquified petroleum gas tank and an automobile were exposed to
the flames.  The brigade protected both of them and prevented the fire from
extending into the uninvolved portion of the house.  [RAD/WRO, 12/24]

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady on AL (12/28-12/31).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Most staff on AL (12/28-12/31).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Most staff on AL (12/28-12/31).

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities