NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Wednesday, June 14, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed 
legislation creating Ocmulgee National Monument in Georgia.  It 
includes the massive temple mounds of a Mississippian Indian 
ceremonial complex that thrived between AD 900 and 1100.

INCIDENTS

00-277 - Walnut Canyon NM (AZ) - Death of Employee

Maintenance worker Pam Meck, 39, passed away on June 12th following a 
valiant struggle against cancer. She had spent her entire 15-year 
career as a permanent employee at the park. A celebration of her life 
will be held at her park residence at noon this Saturday. Condolences 
may be sent to her husband, V.F., c/o Walnut Canyon NM, Walnut 
Canyon Road, Box 6, Flagstaff, AZ 8604. The family has asked that 
donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Walnut Canyon Ranger 
Cabin, Pam's favorite restoration project. Donations may be sent to 
the National Park Service, 6400 North Highway 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. 
[WACA, 6/13]

00-278 - Denali NP (AK) - Rescue

On the evening of Saturday, June 10th, L.S., a climber from the 
Republic of Georgia, fell about 20 feet while descending the West 
Buttress route on Mt. McKinley and sustained significant bruises on 
his back and shoulders and possible fractured ribs. The incident 
occurred near the mountain's 17,400-foot level. Nearby climbers 
carried L.S. to the high camp 200 feet below, where he was cared 
for rangers and two members of the Air National Guard who are also 
members of the park's Mt. McKinley patrol. High winds and whiteout 
conditions made a helicopter rescue impossible, so climbing ranger Joe 
Reichert and volunteer climbing rangers Denny Gigoux and Jay Mathers 
began a technical litter lowering. A second team, comprised of 
climbers Scott Backes, Steve House, Marc Twight and Peter Athans, 
helped lower L.S. to the ranger camp at 14,200 feet. It took the 
rescue team about five hours to complete the operation. L.S. was 
flown to Fort Wainwright by Chinook helicopter when the weather 
cleared. There are currently 388 climbers on the mountain; 292 
climbers have reached the summit so far this year. [JD Swed, DENA, 
6/13]

                [Additional reports pending...]

FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level III

CURRENT SITUATION

New large fires were reported yesterday in the Southwest and 
California. Strong and gusty winds contributed to large fire growth 
and intense fire behavior in the Rockies. Initial attack was light to 
moderate elsewhere.

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from Monday's numbers in parentheses): 173 crews (+ 48), 936 
overhead (+ 31), 411 engines (+ 223), 49 helicopters (- 10), and three 
air tankers (- 2).

Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Colorado, New 
Mexico, Arizona, California, Utah, Florida, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, 
Texas, Kansas, Minnesota, Georgia 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 is 
now 100% contained. Crews are continuing work on rehabilitation of the 
fire area. 

Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - The 14,118-acre Outlet fire has not grown in 
size and remains 90% contained.  Ten crews, a dozen engines and two 
helicopters are committed.

SIGNIFICANT NON-NPS FIRES 

Colorado State - The High Meadow fire (35 miles southwest of Denver) 
has burned 4,500 acres and 39 homes. Another 150 homes are threatened. 
An engine was burned over yesterday and three firefighters suffered 
from smoke inhalation. A Type I team is assigned.

Arapaho-Roosevelt NF (CO) - A Type I team has been committed to the 
4,900-acre Bobcat fire (12 miles west of Loveland). The fire made a 
major run toward the east yesterday and is within a mile and a half of 
a number of buildings. Evacuations are continuing. Fire behavior 
includes sustained crowning and spotting of up to a mile.

Santa Fe NF (NM) - The Viveash fire (five miles northwest of Pecos) 
has become active again due to warmer and drier weather; priorities 
have accordingly shifted from rehabilitation to suppression. A Type II 
team has been ordered.

OUTLOOK

NICC has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for gusty winds, high temperatures 
and low relative humidity for central and northern California.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 6/14]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

National Park Service Laws Compilations Books - Compilations of laws 
affecting the National Park Service are now available. Separate 
volumes for the 104th and 105th Congresses are available on a 
first-come, first-served basis.  Sufficient copies have already been 
sent to regional offices to supply each park superintendent with 
his/her own copy.  Superintendents who haven't yet received copies of 
these books should first contact their regional offices. To obtain a 
copy, please contact Beverly Davenport, Office of Legislative and 
Congressional Affairs, via cc:Mail or at 202-208-3636. Please include 
your address if your copy needs to be sent via parcel post.

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

INTERCHANGE

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

No submissions.

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

Thursday, June 15th

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, 
Historic Preservation, and Recreation (Thomas): Oversight hearing on 
the General Accounting Office's March report entitled "Need to Address 
Management Problems that Plague the Concessions Program." The hearing 
will be at 2:30 p.m. in 366 Dirksen.

Tuesday, June 27th

House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands 
(Hansen): Hearing on

o       H.R. 3190, a bill to establish the Oil Region National 
        Heritage Area in Pennsylvania. 
o       H.R. 4521 (Hill, MT), a bill to direct the Secretary of the 
        Interior to authorize and provide funding for rehabilitation 
        of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, to 
        authorize funds for maintenance of utilities related to the 
        Park, and for other purposes. 

The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in 1324 Longworth.

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED

The following bills either directly or indirectly pertaining to the 
NPS have been introduced since the last Morning Report listing of new 
legislation (May 16th): 

o       H.R. 4578 (Regula, OH), a bill making appropriations for the 
        Department of the Interior and related agencies for the fiscal 
        year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes.
o       H.R. 4581 (Christensen, VI), a bill to authorize the Homeward 
        Bound Foundation to establish the Middle Passage National 
        Monument.
o       H.R. 4583 (Hansen, UT), a bill to extend the authorization for 
        the Air Force Memorial Foundation to establish a memorial in 
        the District of Columbia or its environs.
o       H.R. 4613 (Souder, IN), a bill to amend the National Historic 
        Preservation Act for purposes of establishing a national 
        historic lighthouse preservation program.
o       S. 2707 (Crapo, ID), a bill to help ensure general aviation 
        aircraft access to Federal land and the airspace over that 
        land.

NEW LAWS

The following bills have passed Congress and been signed into law: No 
new laws.

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

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