RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Wednesday, January 6, 1993

Release:   0800 EDT

INCIDENTS

92-672 - C&O Canal (Maryland/D.C.) - Stolen Vehicle; Arson

On December 29th, ranger John Bailey and Maryland State Police responded to a
report of a vehicle accident and fire on Canal Road.  Upon arrival, Bailey
discovered that a 1991 Dodge Dakota had been totally destroyed by fire. 
Responding fire department personnel subsequently conducted a search of the
surrounding area in an attempt to locate the driver, but were unsuccessful. 
The ranger and trooper on scene determined that the vehicle had been set on
fire, then pushed off the road into the canal.  A computer check was run on the
West Virginia tag, and the owner's residence was called.  He was eventually
contacted at a basketball game in a town just across the river from the site of
the incident.  The owner advised that he had left the truck parked in a college
lot with the doors unlocked, but that he had taken the keys with him.  The
Maryland state fire marshall's office and West Virginia state police were
contacted and responded.  Investigators determined that some kind of chemical
agent - probably gasoline - was poured on the front seat of the truck and
ignited.  The investigation continues.  [Keith Whisenant, CR, CHOH, 1/5]

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady at ranger futures work group meeting (1/5-1/7).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Martin at national FMO meeting (1/6-
1/8); Halainen instructing management and leadership training class (1/6-1/8);
Marriott on annual leave (1/7-1/8).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Hurd at NWCG meeting (1/5-1/6) and national FMO
meeting (1/6-1/8); Gale at meeting with staff at Southern Area Coordination
Center (1/4-1/5).

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone: Branch of R&VP - 202-208-4874
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - 202-208-5572
Telefax:   Branch of R&VP - 202-208-6756
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - 202-208-5977
cc:Mail:   Branch of R&VP - WASO Ranger Activities
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO Fire and Aviation