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Subject: NPS Morning Report - Monday, June 5, 2000
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Date: Mon, 5 Jun 2000 10:36:57 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Monday, June 5, 2000
ALMANAC
On this date in 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed legislation
creating Lowell National Historical Park, Massachusetts. The park
includes textile mills, worker housing, power canals, and commercial
buildings illustrating America's 19th-century industrial revolution.
INCIDENTS
00-247 - Saguaro NP (AZ) - Rescue
On May 22nd, ranger John Williams checked out a visitor's report of a
hiker who was out of water and contacted a 33-year-old male backpacker
near a Rincon Mountain District trailhead. The man had backpacked six
miles to the Douglas Spring campground with a heavy pack on May 21st,
then made the return trip during the heat of the day (105 degrees) on
the 22nd. He had begun his trip with six quarts of fluid, an
insufficient amount for two days at this time of year, and ran out
early on the way back. He refused Williams' offer of water and said he
was in good condition, but Williams noticed that the man seemed
confused and that he was not sweating. He soon collapsed and went into
convulsions. The ranger recognized that he was suffering from heat
stroke, quickly stripped him down, and doused him with canteen water.
A local ambulance was dispatched to the scene and took the victim to a
hospital. His core temperature upon arrival was 108 degrees, even
though he'd been transported in an air-conditioned ambulance and had
been cooled with cold packs. He's expected to recover, but has
suffered kidney and liver damage. [Paula Nasiatka, CR, SAGU, 5/24]
00-248 - Saguaro NP (AZ) - Rescue
A park resident received a cell phone call from a 23-year-old park
researcher on May 28th. The researcher, who was in a remote area in
the Rincon Mountain District, reported that she was extremely ill,
possibly from food poisoning. Rangers John Williams and Rich Hayes
ascertained her exact location and immediately summoned a local
medivac helicopter. Meanwhile, rangers and volunteers at a backcountry
cabin rode on horseback to the site. Karen Bradford, the first ranger
to arrive, determined that the researcher was too weak and dehydrated
to be transported out on horseback. Bradford, volunteers, and the
researcher's mother carried her in two sleeping bags a half mile to a
remote helispot. A flight crew arrived, began an IV, then airlifted
her to a hospital. The researcher had suffered from both food
poisoning and severe dehydration, but is expected to fully recover.
[Paula Nasiatka, CR, SAGU, 5/24]
[Numerous reports pending...]
FIRE ACTIVITY
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level III
CURRENT SITUATION
New large fires were reported in the South. An area command team has
been assigned to manage the large fires in northern Arizona, and a
Type II team has been ordered to stage in New Mexico. A helicopter
working for the Florida Division of Forestry crashed while doing
bucket work on a fire near Fort Myers; the pilot did not survive.
The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday
(changes from Friday's numbers in parentheses): 139 crews (- 16), 948
overhead (- 95), 170 engines (+13), 63 helicopters (+ 2), and 0 air
tankers (- 36).
Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, New
Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, California and
Mississippi.
NPS FIRES
Bandelier NM (NM) - An area command team and two Type II incident
management teams remain committed to the Cerro Grande fire, which
remains 98% contained (no change from last week). Aerial grass seeding
continues; over 2,000 acres have been seeded to date. A half inch of
rain was received on June 2nd. Excellent erosion control results were
noted in areas where contour raking and felling were completed and
where grade control structures were in place. Between 150 and 200
volunteers are assisting on rehabilitation projects. Almost 1,100
firefighters, overhead and recovery team personnel have been committed
to the fire.
SIGNIFICANT NON-NPS FIRES
Kaibab NF (AZ) - The Pumpkin fire (15 miles northwest of Flagstaff)
has now burned 12,300 acres (up from 10,200 acres last Friday) and is
75% contained. The fire made active runs yesterday and spotted up to a
half mile within the perimeter. Fuels remain extremely dry.
Santa Fe NF (NM) - The Viveash fire (five miles northwest of Pecos)
has burned 28,283 acres (up from 25,094 acres last Friday) and is 70%
contained.
Humboldt-Toiyabe NF (NV) - A Type II team has been assigned to the
3,500-acres Buck Springs fire, burning in the Mt. Charleston
wilderness ten miles east of Pahrump. Fuels include pinyon pine,
juniper and ponderosa pine.
OUTLOOK
NICC has posted a FIRE WEATHER WATCH for low afternoon humidity,
unstable air and gusty winds for northern, east central and west
Florida.
[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 6/5]
CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
No submissions.
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Structural Fire Safety Deficiencies - Director Stanton announced last
week that the Service is taking immediate action to address and remedy
the structural fire safety deficiencies identified in a GAO audit
report completed in May. A DO on structural fire has been developed
and is available for public review and comment until June 26th. The
document can be found on the NPS website at: http://www.nps.gov/
refdesk/DOrders/DOrder58-rev.html.The Service will also conduct
inspections of selected NPS buildings and analyze the fire safety
infrastructure. This will provide an opportunity to evaluate the scope
of the agency's structural fire needs and develop plans to correct
deficiencies. The necessary resources to accomplish this will be
assigned to the structural fire program. The NPS will establish
structural fire management officer positions in regional offices.
These positions will be responsible for implementing the structural
fire management program and providing individual parks with structural
fire expertise. [Bill Oswald, NPS Fire Management Program Center, 6/1]
MEMORANDA
No submissions.
INTERCHANGE
No submissions.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Jewel Cave NM (SD) - The park is seeking an individual to serve on a
detail or temporary promotion to a GS-025-11 chief of interpretation
position, beginning as soon as possible and continuing for 60 to 90
days. Travel and per diem will be covered and government quarters will
be provided; the home park will continue to pay the employee's salary.
Questions should be directed to Karen Rosga at 605-673-2061 x 1237.
* * * * *
Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed
by park, office and/or regional cc:Mail hub coordinators. Please
address requests pertaining to receipt of the Morning Report to your
servicing hub coordinator. The Morning Report is also available on
the web at http://www.nps.gov/morningreport
Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the
cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.
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