RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

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

Day/Date:  Wednesday, July 21, 1993

Broadcast: By 0900 EDT

INCIDENTS

93-472 - Midwest Parks - Follow-up on Flood Impacts

* Fort Larned - As of Tuesday morning, the water level in the Pawnee River
had reached its highest level yet - about nine feet above normal - and was
still rising.  County roads to the south and west of the park have flooded,
and about 100 acres of park prairie were underwater.  At the time of the
report, it appeared that water might cross the park entrance road shortly
and force the park to close.  If the water rises any higher, the power
company plans to shut off electrical service to the park and pull out the
ground-mounted electrical transformers.  Levees around the fort area are
keeping water away from buildings at the moment, but thunderstorms were
forecast for that afternoon and evening and remained possible each day this
week through Saturday.  Should any of the rains be heavy, the park may have
to start sandbagging to protect historic structures.  [Steve Linderer,
Superintendent, FOLS, 7/20]

93-477 - Yosemite (California) - Follow-up on Shooting of Ranger

The investigation into the shooting of ranger Kim Aufhauser is continuing. 
A toll free number has been established at the park's law enforcement
officer for information pertaining to the incident, and investigators are
continuing to check out numerous reports phoned in by the public during the
initial stages of the search for the suspect and investigation into the
shooting.  A group of about 15 people will be interviewed in connection with
the incident.  [Paul Ducasse, SA, RAD/WRO, head of investigative team, 7/20]

93-479 - Yukon-Charley Rivers (Alaska) - Employee Illness

Cassie Flynn, the regional archeologist who was evacuated from the Kandik
area of the park on the morning of July 14th, underwent surgery later that
morning for treatment of a ruptured ovary, a life-threatening condition. 
She has recovered and was scheduled to return to Anchorage from Fairbanks
yesterday.  [Peter Fitzmaurice, Acting Superintendent, YUCH, 7/20]

93-506 - Great Sand Dunes (Colorado) - Search

Park staff received notification on the afternoon of July 19th that hiker
T.W. had become ill after an ascent of Carbonate Peak and that she
had been left somewhere north of the mountain along the park's eastern
boundary.  The reporting party, T.W.'s husband K., said that she
was vomiting, weak and apparently suffering from altitude sickness.  He
joined rangers in hike to the point last seen, but they were unable to find
her.  Rangers, Alamosa County SAR personnel and volunteers conducted a
ground search of the rugged eastern boundary area and adjacent Forest
Service lands, but were unable to find her.  A helicopter was dispatched for
an overflight and T.W. was spotted at 8 p.m. in a canyon just east of
the boundary.  She was flown out and taken by ambulance to Alamosa.  Twenty-
five people were involved in the incident.  [Stuart Schneider, GRSA, 7/20]

93-507 - Haleakala (Hawaii) - Search; Probable Drowning

On July 19th, heavy rain in the Kipahulu District caused flooding on all
streams, and park rangers accordingly posted all trails as closed due to
high water.  M.M., 21, and Michael Astorga nonetheless decided to
go for a hike in the area.  They crossed Palikea Stream where it joins with
Pipiwai Stream at about 3 p.m., hiked up the Pipiwai trail, and returned to
the crossing about an hour later.  The stream had risen considerably in the
interim; when they attempted to cross, both were swept downstream and over a
30-foot waterfall just below the crossing.  Astorga was able to get out of
the stream about a quarter mile below the fall, possible because his
backpack provided some flotation, but M.M. disappeared.  Rangers were
notified of the incident around 4:20 p.m. and immediately began a search for
her.  The search area stretched from the point last seen down the O'Heo
Stream to the ocean and along the shorelines adjacent to the confluence.  No
sign of M.M. was found.  The search resumed the next morning at 6 a.m. 
Some of M.M.'s personal effects were found, but searchers were unable to
find her.  Water levels in the O'Heo Stream are still at flood stage.  Dive
teams will search pool areas as soon as the water recedes and conditions are
safe for entering the water.  Maui County fire and rescue is assisting in
the search effort.  [Phil Dendel, HALE, 7/20]

93-508 - Gateway (New York) - Probable Drowning

Around 7:15 p.m. n the evening of July 20th, B.W., Jr. 15, was
playing in the water with his uncle, J.G., and a friend, G.M.,
when a strong undercurrent overcame him and pulled him into water
over his head.  J.G. and G.M. were unable to reach him, so G.M. ran to a
phone to summon assistance.  Two visitors also attempted to save B.W., but
he began to panic and suddenly disappeared.  Shortly thereafter, emergency
crews from New York City police and fire departments arrived along with
Coast Guard and NYPD harbor units.  Park Police officers searched the
shorelines for signs of G.M.  Search efforts, which involved both divers
and searchers on jet skis, were called off at 8:45 p.m. due to darkness. 
B.W., who was described by relatives as a poor swimmer, had entered the
water even though lifeguards went off-duty at 6 p.m.  Park Police officers
will continue to check the shoreline until his body is recovered.  At the
time of the incident, the water was rough, with an incoming tide and strong
undertow.  [Lt. Michael Fellner, NYFO/GATE, 7/21]

FIRE ACTIVITY

The NIFC fire report was not available at morning report release time this
morning.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Carlsbad Caverns (New Mexico) - Cave Survey Standards

Surveying of the park's caves has been on-going since the 1960s.  Many miles
of cave passages and rooms have been surveyed to date, including 65 miles of
Lechuguilla Cave and 28 miles of Carlsbad Caverns.  Though all surveyors
have had good intentions, there have been extreme variations in the quality
of notes that were actually produced.  Recent management of the caves has
relied more and more on well-kept notes which more accurately document the
cave passages and their contents.  In order to minimize the impacts on caves
while gathering a maximum amount of information form each survey trip, the
park is in the process of developing a set of survey standards which must be
followed when surveying park caves.  They're interested in receiving
comments from other cave parks.  If you'd like to receive a draft copy of
the survey standards, contact Dale Pate at 505-785-2104.  They plan on
implementing the standards on September 30th.  [Dale Pate, Cave Specialist,
CACA]

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: No leave or travel scheduled.

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Halainen at uniform contract
meeting (7/20-7/21); Dickerhoof on AL (7/19-7/22).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Farrel at NPS-58 revision meeting (7/19-7/23);
Botti and Berg on FIREPRO audit of SWR (7/19-7/23); Gale on AL (7/22-7/23).

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
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cc:Mail:   Branch of R&VP - WASO Ranger Activities
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SkyTalk:   Emergencies ONLY (voice message) - 1-800-759-8255, PIN 2404843