- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Tuesday, August 31, 1993
- Date: Tues, 31 Aug 1993
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
MORNING REPORT
Attention: Directorate
Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
Ranger Activities Division Information Network
Day/Date: Tuesday, August 31, 1993
Broadcast: By 0900 EDT
INCIDENTS
93-566 - Jefferson National Expansion (Missouri) - Follow-up on Homicide
On Friday, August 27th, members of the task force investigating the murder
of A.K. in the Arch parking garage arrested three men - R.C.,
39, H.C., 30, and M.S., 28 - and charged them with first
degree murder, armed robbery and armed criminal action. A fourth person,
who was in the assailants' car, is still being sought. The three men told
investigators that they were looking for someone to rob when they saw the
Florida license plates on A.K.'s companion's car and followed the couple to
the garage, where, according to H.C. and M.S., R.C. committed the robbery
and homicide. R.C. allegedly used part of the $60 he stole from the couple
to buy beer for himself and his accomplices. A telephone credit card stolen
in an earlier robbery which took place near the garage lead investigators to
the three suspects. Investigators suspected that whoever committed that
robbery had probably had a role in A.K.'s murder. Telephone records showed
that H.C. had used the card to make at least 18 calls. R.C. was released
from a Missouri prison about two months ago after having served a portion of
a 25-year sentence for robbery. M.S. recently completed parole on a
separate robbery, and had done time with R.C. at the state prison in
Moberly, Missouri. A search warrant will be requested from federal district
court for blood, hair and saliva samples from R.C. in order to compare them
with evidence found at the scene. [John Weddle, CI, JEFF, 8/30]
93-632 - East Coast Areas - Follow-up on Hurricane Emily
Preparations continue for the arrival of Hurricane Emily, now a Category II
storm with sustained winds around 100 mph. Forecasters believe that wind
speeds will increase before the hurricane comes ashore tomorrow. At 5 a.m.
EDT, the hurricane was 155 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras and moving
northwest around 9 mph; a gradual turn to the north is expected later today.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center, and
tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 mph. The hurricane
warning has been extended northward to Cape Henlopen, Delaware, just north
of Assateague Island. Storm tides of five to eight feet are possible on
both eastern and western shores of the Outer Banks. Rainfall totals of four
to eight inches are possible along Emily's path.
* Cape Hatteras (North Carolina) - The park has been evacuated and all
necessary preparations have been completed. Core law enforcement and
maintenance staff will remain on the park's three islands - Ocracoke, Buxton
and Roanoke - through the storm. Gale force winds are expected by 11 a.m.
today; if the hurricane's current course and speed hold, it will make land
fall at Nag's Head early tomorrow morning.
* Cape Lookout (North Carolina) - The park is now fully closed. Winds up to
40 mph were reported early this morning.
* Moore's Creek (North Carolina) - The park has been closed. Gale force
winds are expected in the area.
* Southeast Regional Office (Georgia) - The region's Type II all-risk team
is on alert and prepared to respond. The regional office has also lined up
a damage assessment and documentation team, maintenance crews, and supplies
to send to the Outer Banks if needed. NIFC's Southeast Area Coordination
Center (SACC) is now operating around the clock, and the NPS is working with
Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service through the SACC's MAC
group to make necessary preparations. Close links have been established
between the SACC and FEMA.
* Assateague Island (Maryland) - All campgrounds have been or are currently
being closed; the entire park will be evacuated and closed by 10 a.m. today.
Park staff are in the process of moving equipment, relocating vehicles and
completing other preparations.
* Colonial (Virginia) - The park is currently in the hurricane watch area.
The hurricane plan is being put into effect, and park representatives have
established contact with the local emergency operations center.
[Steve Smith, RAD/SERO; Mary Collier, Management Assistant, CAHA; Chuck
Harris, CR, CALO; Bob Thomas, Acting CR, ASIS; Dick Young, COLO; NWS Office
of Meteorology hurricane advisory; 8/31]
93-639 - Joshua Tree (California) - Search
At about 2 a.m. on August 28th, a Marine stationed at 29 Palms opened fire
on three other Marines with a 12-gauge riot shotgun following an altercation
at a local bar. County deputies responded and tracked the fleeing suspect
into the park. A full-scale search by rangers, deputies and officers from
the Naval Investigative Service was initiated at dawn; a Marine Corps
helicopter was also brought in. Utilizing their knowledge of the local
terrain, rangers enlarged the search area around mid-morning. The suspect
was spotted by the helicopter crew shortly afterwards and was taken into
custody. [Dispatch, JOTR, 8/28]
93-640 - Coronado (Arizona) - Drug Seizure
On August 26th, rangers discovered that several rocks had been moved from a
previously used drug loading area in the park. Further investigation led to
the discovery of 69 pounds of marijuana cached away in a manzanita bush.
After conducting a fruitless surveillance of the area for several hours, the
marijuana was seized and turned over to Customs agents. [CRO, CORO, 8/30]
[More pending incident reports tomorrow...]
FIRE ACTIVITY
1) FIRE SITUATION - Preparedness Level I
2) FIRE SUMMARY
State Agency Area Fire 8/30 8/31 Status
CA BLM Cal Desert Castle 130 130 CN 8/30
USFS Sequoia * Russia - 1,500 CN 8/30
WY USFS Medicine Bow * Unknown name - 190 NR
LA FWS Sabine Hanks 150 200 CND
NOTES:
- Fires - Asterisk indicates newly reported fire (on this report). T1 and T2
indicate assigned Type I and Type II Teams.
- Status - The following abbreviations are employed:
NR - No report received MS - Modified suppression strategy
CL - Controlled MN - Being monitored
CS - Confinement strategy NEC - No estimate of containment
CND - Contained CN (date) - Expected date of containment
3) ANALYSIS - Western states continue to report minimal fire activity.
Containment targets are being met on large fires in the South. Personnel
and equipment have been mobilized to assist FEMA's Washington, DC, office
and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Philadelphia, PA, in anticipation
of Hurricane Emily's landfall.
4) PROGNOSIS - A southerly flow of air will spread monsoon moisture over
Utah and Nevada, which should continue to hold fire activity to a minimum.
California will have fair and sunny weather except for isolated afternoon
and evening thundershowers in the Sierra Nevadas. A cold front will extend
from the Ohio Valley into central Texas, bringing scattered showers and
cooler temperatures to the area. Louisiana will be partly cloudy with
scattered afternoon and evening thundershowers. This weather pattern should
help moderate fire potential in both areas.
[NIFCC Intelligence Section, 8/31]
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
No field reports today.
STAFF STATUS
Division Chief: Brady on travel (8/30-9/1).
Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Berkowitz conducting weapons
tests at FLETC (8/25-9/5); Martin, Smith and Dickerhoof at VRAP meeting
(8/30-9/3); Marriott on AL (8/25-9/5).
Branch of Fire and Aviation: Gale at USFWS Region 4 emergency response
planning meeting (8/30-9/3); Farrel at International Association of Fire
Chiefs annual meeting (8/28-9/3); Hurd on AL (8/30-9/3).
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
SkyPager: Emergencies ONLY (numeric message) - 1-800-759-7243, PIN 2404843
SkyTalk: Emergencies ONLY (voice message) - 1-800-759-8255, PIN 2404843