- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Monday, October 3, 1994
- Date: Mon, 3 Oct 1994
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Monday, October 3, 1994
Broadcast: By 1000 ET
INCIDENTS
94-581 - Great Smokies (North Carolina/Tennessee) - Car Clout Arrests
On September 17th, ranger Helen McNutt came upon two people leaning against a
car at the Laurel Falls parking lot; since they matched the descriptions of a
couple involved in two car clouts at the same location earlier in the month and
were lingering in the parking area, a behavior common to car clouters, McNutt
stopped to check them out. Neither was dressed for hiking, and their replies
did not fit those of typical hikers. While talking to the couple, identified
as T.H. and H.H., of Augusta, Georgia, McNutt observed a purse on
the front seat of their vehicle and another on the rear floor - both in plain
view. She asked and received consent to search the vehicle and called for
backup. Identification in the purse on the rear floor indicated that the owner
was Melanie Toups of New Orleans. A crowbar was also found on the floor near
the purse. Neither of the H.s could provide information on ownership of
the purse. The vehicle parked one space from the Hickman's vehicle, a black
Nissan Pathfinder bearing Louisiana tags, was found to be unlocked. A short
time later, a party of four returned to the Pathfinder. Toups was in the
group, and she identified the purse as hers. Criminal investigator Bill Acree
quickly tied the suspects to at least a dozen recent car clouts which had
occurred at three trailhead parking lots. The method of entry in each was the
same - the driver or passenger window was broken out or the trunk was pried
open with a crowbar or similar instrument. At least 50 such car clouts have
occurred at the three parking lots since July 31st, and the H.s are
believed to be responsible for approximately 43 of them. The H.s were
arrested for violations of 18 USC 2 and 662, possession of stolen property in
excess of $100. Thomas Hickman subsequently confessed to breaking into cars
for a period of about a month; during each of these break-ins, Heather Hickman
served as the lookout. No car clouts have occurred in the park since September
17th. [Kenny Slay, DR, Little River District, GRSM, 9/26]
94-582 - Glen Canyon (Utah/Arizona) - Drowning
Early on the evening of September 29th, a 49-year-old male drowned while trying
to secure his boat in shallow waters near Hobie Cat beach. The victim and his
three companions had been visiting the lake for the past four days and had been
sailing on their two boats. Just before the accident, an intense storm of
short duration had passed through the Bullfrog area, causing the victim's boat
to drift away. While swimming out in the lake in an attempt to retrieve it, he
began struggling in the water. A nearby fisherman entered the lake and
attempted to bring him to shore, but had to disengage because the victim
repeatedly pulled him underwater. Park diver's recovered the victim's body in
eight feet of water about 15 feet from shore after about an hour's submersion.
It was not possible to revive him. [Pat Buccello, Acting CR, GLCA, 9/29]
94-583 - Sequoia/Kings Canyon (California) - Pedestrian Fatality
While travelling home from Ash Mountain headquarters on Highway 198 on
September 28th, a park interpretive ranger accidentally struck and killed a
pedestrian, later identified as C.R., son of a former park maintenance
employee. C.R., who was on foot, had crossed to the center of the roadway,
then turned to go back and was struck. No charges have been filed against the
ranger. [Randy Coffman, SEKI, 10/3]
FIRE ACTIVITY
1) PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - III
2) LARGE FIRE SUMMARY
Fri Mon % Est
State Area Fire IMT 9/30 10/3 Cont Cont
WY Yellowstone NP Robinson T2 7,600 8,400 100 CND
R. Springs Dis. Raymond Mountain -- NR 710 90 10/1
MT Kootenai NF Koocanusa Cx T2 15,590 15,890 90 10/8
Cabinet Cx T2 5,246 5,282 100 CND
Libby Cx T2 13,220 13,988 100 CND
ID Boise NF Thunderbolt T2 27,142 27,142 79 10/15
Payette NF Corral Creek -
Blackwell Cx T1 166,518 171,509 67 10/12
Chicken Cx T1 102,130 102,380 64 NEC
Clearwater NF Siam T2 1,441 1,442 90 10/4
CA Klamath NF Specimen T2 6,463 7,015 100 CND
HEADING NOTES:
Fire * = newly reported fire (on this report). Cx = complex.
IMT T1 = Type 1; T2 = Type II; ST = State Team.
% Con Percent of fire contained.
Est Con Estimated containment date. NEC = no estimated date of
containment; CND = fully contained; NR = no report.
3) FIRES -
NPS BIA BLM FWS States USFS Total
Number 1 1 0 0 22 27 51
Acres Burned 0 0 0 0 13 1196 209
4) COMMITTED RESOURCES -
Crews Engines Helicopters Airtankers Overhead
Federal 170 89 66 9 1,332
Non-federal 38 53 18 0 632
5) SITUATION - Several fires in the northern Rockies were contained with the
help of cold temperatures, rain and snow. Initial attack activity remained low
throughout the country. Demobilization has increased throughout the NICC
system.
6) OUTLOOK - A red flag warning has been posted for strong winds in Washington,
and a red flag watch is in effect for strong winds and low humidities in
northern California and Arizona. Minimal fire activity is expected on large
fires; initial attack activity is also expected to remain low, except, perhaps,
in red flag areas. Demobilization is expected to accelerate.
[NIFCC Incident Management Situation Report, 10/3]
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
No field reports today.
OPERATIONAL NOTES
No notes.
MEMORANDA
No memoranda.
Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.
Telephone: 202-208-4874
Telefax: 202-208-6756
cc:Mail: WASO Ranger Activities
SkyPager: Emergencies ONLY: 1-800-759-7243, PIN 2404843