NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Wednesday, August 5, 1998

INCIDENTS

98-462 - Glacier Bay NP&P (AK) - Search and Rescue

S.R., a 23-year-old employee who works for the park's lodge
concessioner, was reported overdue from a multi-day kayaking trip in the bay
on July 31st.  He had told co-workers that he would be kayaking alone in the
relatively safe and calm waters of the Beardslee Islands and Beartrack Cove
from July 28th to the 30th.  Rangers were notified when he failed to show up
for work.  Investigation and interviews revealed that S.R. had talked
about a desire to climb into the Beartrack Mountains, a steep and rugged
cross-country hike/climb which goes from sea level to nearly 4,000 feet in
under three miles.  S.R. had no technical climbing experience, had no
technical gear, and had planned the climb as a day hike.  An air search was
launched on the afternoon of the 31st.  His kayak was found on the beach at
the foot of a drainage which led up to the ridge line.  Ranger Margaret
Goodro, patrolling by boat in the area, checked the kayak and immediately
made voice contact with S.R., who had fallen 25 feet down a rocky slope
three days earlier and been badly injured.  S.R. had walked and crawled
down the mountain to sea level over the three days and arrived at the beach
just as Goodro came ashore.  He had a badly lacerated hip, fractures to one
foot, multiple lacerations on his face, arms and legs, and broken teeth.  He
was placed on a backboard, secured to a litter, floated on an inflatable raft
out to a waiting float plane, flown to Juneau, then taken by ambulance to a
hospital.  Deteriorating weather, the proximity of tall trees to the beach,
and large boulders on the beach prevented a helicopter hoist or landing. 
Doctors found that S.R. had also suffered a broken floating rib and a
partially collapsed lung; they estimated that he'd lost almost a quarter of
his blood during the accident.  [Chuck Young, DR, GLBA, 8/2]

98-463 - Harry S Truman NHS (MO) - Disturbed Person

On the afternoon of July 28th, T.B., 43, attempted to enter the Truman
home.  He was stopped at the gate and questioned by park staff.  T.B. said
that he needed to enter the home to take a look around.  He said that he was
on a mission for the vice president to send a message to "Red China" which
demanded that they "capitulate or die."  T.B. had a document with him,
entitled the Phoenix Plan, which contained a constitutional amendment to
restructure the government.  He said that he was with the military, but that
he could not disclose his rank.  Police in nearby Independence were notified
and took him into custody for a psychological evaluation; FBI agents will
also speak with him.  T.B.'s vehicle contained maps of other presidential
sites.  He had a license from Arizona, but said that he'd just moved to
Abilene, Kansas.  T.B. did not have any weapons in his possession.  [Keith
Drews, HSTR, via Bruce Cunningham, RLES, MWRO, 8/3] 

98-464 - Zion NP (UT) - Falling Fatality

S.T., 27, of Palisade, Colorado, fell 30 feet and was seriously
injured while scrambling in remote Hidden Canyon on the morning of August
1st.  S.T. was hiking with his uncle, who witnessed the fall.  It took him
90 minutes to walk out and report the accident to rangers, who hiked to the
scene of the accident at the upper end of the canyon and found S.T.
unconscious and suffering from major head injuries.  A carry-out would have
taken over four hours in the rugged, steep terrain, so a helicopter was
summoned from the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas.  They
responded with an HH-60 helicopter with a long-line winch system which could
drop a line into the narrow, 200-foot deep canyon.  S.T. went into cardiac
arrest five hours after the accident.  CPR was conducted for an hour with no
response before medical control authorized discontinuance.  The helicopter
was turned around and S.T.'s body was carried out.  The carry-out entailed
lowering the litter more than a dozen times over pour-offs and rough terrain. 
Twenty-five people were involved in the 12-hour operations, which lasted
until midnight.  Scott Brown was IC.  [Tom Haraden, Assistant Chief Park
Naturalist, ZION, 8/2]

                       [Additional reports pending...]

FIRE ACTIVITY

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level II

LARGE FIRE/INCIDENT SUMMARY 

                                                     Mon      Tue    %  Est
State      Unit             Fire/Incident     IMT    8/3      8/4   Con Con

AZ   Grand Canyon NP        North Rim Cx      --      230      970  UNK 10/15
     Tonto NF               Rye               --      700      710  100 CND
     State                * Signal            --        -      160  100 CND

CA   Pinnacles NM           Stonewall         --      250    1,400   20 NEC
     Fresno-Kings RU        Pine              --      200      200  100 CND
     Tule Lake NWR        * Refuge            T2        -    3,000   10 NEC

OR   State                  Belmont Road      --      500      641  100 CND

OK   State                  Bear Mtn. Cx      T2    9,000   10,350   98 NEC

TX   Big Thicket NP         Mud               --      310      670   72 8/4
     State                  Cash Cx           --      450      450   NR NR
                            South Line        --      600    1,800   45 8/4
                            Lye Creek         --      160      160  100 CND
                            Richland Creek    --      225      225  100 CND
                            Weatherford       --      100      100  100 CND
                          * 336               --        -    1,500  100 CND
                     
                                  Heading Notes

Unit        Agency = BIA area; NF = national forest; RU = CA state resource
            or ranger unit; RD = state ranger district; District = BLM
            district; NWR = USFWS wildlife refuge
Fire        * = newly reported fire (on this report); Cx = complex
IMT         T1 = Type I; T2 = Type II; ST = State Team
% Con       Percent of fire contained; UNK = unknown
Est Con     Estimated containment date; NEC = no estimated date of
            containment; CND = fully contained; NR = no report

NPS FIRE NARRATIVES

Grand Canyon NP - The North Rim Complex, previously called the Trancept
Complex, is being managed by a Type II IMT (Kleindienst).  Tactics are being
employed to minimize smoke in the canyon.  Aerial ignition is being used on
the Swamp Lake fire when smoke dispersion conditions are good.  Significant
acreage increases may occur if weather and smoke conditions allow burn-out
operations.  Resource management objectives are being met.  A total of 156
people are committed to the fire.

Pinnacles NM - The Stonewall fire is burning on the south side of the park. 
Extremely high temperatures, single digit relative humidity readings, heavy
fuel loads, and steep, rocky terrain are causing control difficulties.  Fire
behavior is moderate to extreme, with the fire being driven by wind and slope
conditions.  Line construction rates will be very low due to the heat and low
humidity.  

A supplemental report from superintendent Gary Candelaria drafted early this
morning states that the fire has now burned about 2,400 acres, higher than
the total on the NICC report, which is based on earlier information.  Much of
the new acreage is on neighboring BLM and private ranch lands east of the
park.  A campground outside the park was threatened and evacuated.  The fire
is still burning in the park's wilderness area.  Fire crews working there
were pulled out yesterday to protect private developed areas and ranch lands,
but air attack on the this part of the fire are to resume this morning.  Over
500 firefighters and support staff from the NPS and several other agencies
are working the fire.  The park remains closed to visitors, but offices are
open.  Weather forecasts for Wednesday offer little relief from the record
heat (between 112 and 115 degrees) and low humidity.  A break in the weather
is expected on Thursday, as cooler, moister marine air is scheduled to
return.

NUMBER OF NEW FIRES (FOUR DAY TREND) 

                    NPS    BIA      BLM     FWS    States   USFS     Total

Saturday, 8/1        0      6         9       1       80     45       141
Sunday, 8/2          0      7         8       1       50     54       120
Monday, 8/3          1      6         5       3      187     39       241
Tuesday, 8/4         3      4         5       2      299     17       330

TOTAL COMMITTED RESOURCES (FOUR DAY TREND) 

                  Crews     Engines    Helicopters    Airtankers   Overhead

Saturday, 8/1      119        695          99            10           980
Sunday, 8/2        112        413          86            16         1,480
Monday, 8/3         77        322          78            13           666
Tuesday, 8/4        60        115          24             9           291

CURRENT SITUATION

Large fires continued to burn yesterday in California, the South and the
Southwest.  Initial attack increased in Michigan and the South, remained
moderate in California, and was minor elsewhere.

Very high and extreme fire indices were reported in Oklahoma, Michigan,
Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Oregon,
California, and Washington.

NICC has a FIRE WEATHER WATCH for hot, dry and breezy conditions in eastern
Washington and a HEAT ADVISORY for northeast Texas.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 8/5]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

No entries.

PARK DISPATCHES

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Reports pending.

MEMORANDA

"Implementation of the NationsBank Charge Card Program," sent to all
employees by the NPS charge card implementation team on July 30th.  The text
follows:

"This is to inform you of the latest developments related to the new charge
card program, including the formation of the National Park Service (NPS)
implementation team.

"As you know, the Department of the Interior (DOI) selected NationsBank as
the vendor for the next generation charge card program to pay for government
expenses associated with travel, small purchases and fuel.  Effective
November 30, 1998, the current charge card contracts will expire, and NPS and
all other DOI Offices and Bureaus will begin using NationsBank's MasterCard. 
After August 15, 1998, no new charge cards will be issued under the current
contracts.  However, situations requiring a need for a charge card, will be
handled on a case-by-case basis.

"There are many activities that will take place between now and November 30. 
The NPS Charge Card Implementation Team will make every effort to keep you
informed and provide you with the necessary information and guidance to make
a smooth transition to the new charge card program.  In addition, training
will be available for the cardholders in October or November, before the
implementation of the new charge card program.  The Team's goals are to:

1.    Transition to the new charge card program in a manner that is seamless
      and transparent to the cardholder.
2.    Increase user satisfaction.
3.    Identify efficiencies in the current administrative process.
4.    Promote electronic commerce.

Following are some of the differences you will note between the current
charge card programs, and the one that will become effective on November 30,
1998.
Current Charge Card Programs        New Charge Card Program

Three credit cards for each of      One charge card will be used for all 
three business lines; travel,       three business lines.  For example,
purchase, and fleet                 an employee authorized to make purchases
                                    will have that portion of the card
                                    activated.  An employee who is authorized
                                    to make purchases and travel will have
                                    those portions of the card activated.

Three contracts with three          One contract with NationsBank and use of 
vendors: American Express for       and use of the MasterCard brand.
travel, US Bank (IMPAC) for 
purchases, and Wright Express 
for fleet.

Cardholders receive a hard copy     Cardholders will receive a hard
of the copy charges incurred.       statement for charged travel expenses. 
                                    In addition, they will view all charges
                                    they incur on their card via the Internet
                                    using the Electronic Accounting
                                    Government Ledger System (EAGLS).

"A complete list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)is available on the DOI
website at:  http://www.ios.doi.gov/pam/chargefaqs.htm.

"As stated previously, the NPS Charge Card Implementation Team will keep you
informed and will provide the information needed to make the transition to
the new charge card program a success.  As we continue this journey together,
we ask for your patience, support and cooperation.  Should you have any
questions, or suggestions, do not hesitate to contact any member of the team. 
The team members are:  

Dyra Monroe, Team Lead, 202-565-1154      Barbara Edwards, AOC, 703-487-9331 
Ernestine Armstrong, WASO, 202-565-1162   Mary Lynn Brand, NERO, 215-597-7090
Shirley Norton, APC-DE, 303-969-2748      Cheryl Corbett, BOSO, 617-223-5035
Foon Lee, PWR, 415-427-1318               Dawn Carey, IMSO-DE, 303-987-6649
Joy Kucinski, AKSO, 907-257-2610          Gay Flynn, MWRO, 402-221-3961
Karen Schultz, MWSO, 402-221-3563         Don Smyth, MWSO, 402-221-3454
Beverly Rinaldi-Alt, HFC, 304-535-6237    Yvonne Williams, IMSO, 303-969-2645
Sharon Carson, SERO, 404-562-3163

INTERCHANGE

No entries.

UPCOMING IN CONGRESS

The following activities will be taking place in Congress during coming weeks
on matters pertaining to the National Park Service or kindred agencies.  For
inquiries regarding legislation pertaining to the NPS, please contact the
main office at 202-208-5883/5656 and ask to be forwarded to the appropriate
legislative specialist.

HEARINGS/MARK-UPS

Wednesday, August 5

House Resources Committee.  Mark-up of the following bills, among others:

o     S. 1693, to provide for improved management and increased
      accountability for certain NPS programs, and for other purposes; and
o     S. 1695, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the
      suitability and feasibility of designating the Sand Creek Massacre
      National Historic Site in the state of Colorado as a unit of the
      National Park System, and for other purposes.

Thursday, August 6

House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands.  Mark-up of
the following bills, among others (all bills are as listed in last week's
update except for the first, which has been added to the agenda):

o     H.R. 576, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to undertake the
      necessary feasibility studies regarding the establishment of certain
      new units of the National Park System in the state of Hawaii;
o     H.R. 2800, to provide for a study of the establishment of Midway Atoll
      as a national memorial to the Battle of Midway, and for other purposes;
o     H.R. 2970, to amend the National Historic Preservation Act for purposes
      of establishing a national historic lighthouse preservation program;
o     H.R. 3746, to authorize the addition of the Paoli Battlefield site in
      Malvern, Pennsylvania, to Valley Forge NHP, and for other purposes;
o     H.R. 3883, to revise the boundary of Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHS to
      include Knob Creek Farm, and for other purposes;
o     H.R. 3909, to make technical corrections and minor adjustments to the
      boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante NM in the state of Utah.
o     H.R. 3910, to authorize the Automobile National Heritage Area;
o     H.R. 3981, to modify the boundaries of George Washington Birthplace NM,
      and for other purposes;
o     H.R. 4109, to authorize Gateway Visitor Center at Independence NHP, and
      for other purposes;
o     H.R. 4141, to amend the act establishing Chattahoochee River NRA to
      modify the boundaries of the area, and to provide for the protection of
      lands, waters, and natural, cultural and scenic resources within the
      national recreation area, and for other purposes;
o     H.R. 4144, to ensure the protection of natural, cultural and historical
      resources in Cumberland Island NS and Cumber Island Wilderness in the
      state of Georgia;
o     H.R. 4158, to authorize the private ownership and use of certain
      secondary structures and surplus lands administered as part of any
      national historical park that are not consistent with the purposes for
      which the park was established, if adequate protection of natural,
      aesthetic, recreational, cultural and historical values is assured by
      appropriate terms, covenants, conditions or reservations;
o     H.R. 4211, to establish Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, in
      association with Tuskegee University in the state of Alabama, and for
      other purposes; and
o     H.R. 4230, to provide for a land exchange involving the El Portal
      administrative site at Yosemite NP in the state of California.

Monday, August 24

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee: Field hearing in Anchorage,
Alaska, to receive testimony on high altitude rescue activities on Mount
McKinley in Denali National Park and Preserve, as well as the potential for
cost recovery for expenses incurred by the United States for rescue
activities.

FLOOR ACTION

No action reported on NPS legislation.

                                *  *  *  *  *

Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed by park,
office and/or field area cc:Mail hub coordinators.  Please address requests
pertaining to receipt of the Morning Report to your servicing hub
coordinator.

Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

                                 --- ### ---