RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Thursday, December 31, 1992

Release:   0800 EDT

INCIDENTS

92-669 - Friendship Hill (Pennsylvania) - Explosion

Just after 8 a.m. on December 29th, a gas line ruptured and exploded in the
park.  The blast, which occurred in a 22-inch, 900-psi line, blew a hole in
the ground measuring 50 feet wide by 22 feet long by eight feet deep, threw
large rocks, dirt and branches as far as 400 feet, and hurled a 41-foot
section of the line 250 feet.  Although the park's main loop trail is only
15 feet from the hole, the park was closed at the time; consequently, no
visitors or park employees were injured.  The trail and another small trail
nearby were closed.  Some gas was released into the air after the explosion,
but stopped after 10:30 a.m.  Repair crews for Columbia Gas have agreed to
repair any damage to park resources in and around the site, as well as at
the access points.  The reason for the pipe's failure has not been
determined.  [Tim Woosley, FRHI, 12/30]

92-670 - Organ Pipe Cactus (Arizona) - Felony Conviction

On December 24th, C.A.R., 27, pled guilty in U.S. District Court to
charges filed by the park for unlawful flight and reckless driving following
a December 2nd incident in which C.A.R. fled from pursuing rangers.  Ground
sensors and surveillance personnel had indicated activity in a high
intensity drug trafficking area, and C.A.R. and several others were spotted
in a vehicle at that location.  Rangers attempted unsuccessfully to stop the
vehicle and pursued it for four miles before the driver lost control and the
vehicle crashed in a wash.  The occupants bailed out and headed back towards
Mexico, but ranger Thane Weigand was able to apprehend C.A.R. after a brief
chase.  C.A.R. received a $3,500 fine, five years' probation, and served
three weeks in Federal prison.  The other suspects are thought to be
involved in drug trafficking, and inter-agency investigations are
continuing.  [RAD/WRO, 12/30]

92-671 - Colonial (Virginia) - Apprehension of Escapee

Rangers assisted York County deputies in locating and capturing an escaped
prisoner who fled into the park on the afternoon of December 29th.  J.C.,
30, escaped from the custody of a county bailiff while being
transported from court to the county jail and was chased onto park property. 
Rangers and deputies set up a perimeter around the area, and a dog team was
brought in to assist in the search.  J.C. was eventually pursued across
Route 17 into a swampy area of the park, where he was apprehended.  J.C.
was arrested by rangers in March of this year and charged with rape and
fleeing and eluding.  He was later found not guilty on the rape charge.  He
has been returned to the county jail.  [Hiram Barber, Acting CR, COLO,
12/30]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Organ Pipe Cactus (Arizona) - Sonoran Pronghorn Studies

The Sonoran pronghorn core working group, a group comprised of
representatives from six agencies, completed a large-scale survey of the
endangered Sonoran pronghorn on December 12th.  Prior to this survey, the
subspecies was estimated to number between 80 and 100 animals within the
United States.  Small populations have historically inhabited the western
portion of the park.  During the nine-day-long survey, which covered two
million acres, group members made 126 observations of Sonoran pronghorn. 
This minimum count has given biologists a new population figure on which to
base recovery efforts.  The second half of the survey is scheduled for
February and March and will be conducted in cooperation with Mexican
researchers on habitat south of the border.  [ORPI, 12/30]

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

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