NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Sunday, July 2, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1700, Gloria Dei ("Old Swedes") Church was dedicated 
and opened its doors. The church, located in Independence National 
Historical Park, is now the oldest church building in Pennsylvania and 
still has an active congregation. The historic cemetery contains the 
remains of officers in George Washington's army, early Swedish 
settlers, and famous naturalist Alexander Wilson (the "father of 
American ornithology"). 

INCIDENTS

00-343 - New River Gorge NR (WV) - Assault with Firearm

Rangers responded to a report of a gunshot fired at a train traveling 
through the park late on the evening of June 24th. The conductor 
notified the railroad's dispatcher that someone had fired a weapon at 
the train near Claremont. The projectile hit the bullet-proof glass on 
the side of the engine near the point where the conductor was 
standing, but did not enter the compartment. The conductor said that 
he would have been hit in the chest if the window had been down, which 
is normal when trains run through this stretch of the park. Because of 
the size of the indentation and the impact made, the conductor thought 
the projectile was from a large caliber firearm. Rangers investigated 
and located witnesses who were camping along the New River who 
recalled hearing a gunshot that was followed by the sound of a vehicle 
speeding away. No suspects have been identified at this time. The 
investigation continues. [Rick Brown, ACR/Ops, NERI, 6/25] 

00-344 - Oklahoma City NM (OK) - Significant Vandalism

A bronze panel on the park's symbolic "gate of time" was damaged by 
graffiti just before midnight on June 25th.  The graffiti consisted of 
the symbol for "Out of control Anarchy," which is known to be 
associated with a local group. Four visitors saw the incident and 
chased the vandal a short distance. Eyewitness accounts have been 
obtained, and samples of the paint will be used for analysis and 
evidence. The estimated cost to replace the panel is over $95,000. 
Park rangers and city police are investigating. [Scott J. Bentley, CR, 
OKCI, 6/27]

00-345 - Fort McHenry NM&HS (MD) - Special Events

On June 29th, the park had the largest crowd on site for a single day 
event since the 1976 Bicentennial celebration. An estimated 12,000 to 
15,000 people witnessed the departure of some 25 tall ships from the 
harbor during the Baltimore stop of OpSail 2000. The event was run 
under ICS and park received support from numerous agencies. Outside of 
several minor heat-related medical problems, there were no significant 
incidents during the event.  A second event was held the same day - a 
gathering of some 45 secretaries of state from around the country. The 
event, which served as an opening ceremony for meetings in Baltimore, 
included a band, choirs, artillery salutes, and Maryland political 
dignitaries. The group raised a replica of the original "star-spangled 
banner" flag over the fort. There were no incidents during the two- 
hour ceremony. [Rick Nolan, CR, FOMC, 6/30]

00-346 - Great Smoky Mountains NP (NC/TN) - MVA with Fatality

Taxi driver R.O., 82, of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, died as a 
result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on June 23rd. 
R.O. was transporting three hikers from Cades Cove back to their 
vehicle parked at Newfound Gap when he lost control of his cab and 
crashed into a stone retaining wall at Chimneys picnic area at about 
3:45 p.m.  Two passengers also were injured. [Jason Houck, CR, GRSM, 
6/30]

                     [Additional reports pending....]

FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level II

CURRENT SITUATION

New large fires were reported Friday in the East, western Great Basin 
and southern California.   Crews made substantial progress on large 
fires in Alaska, the Northwest and northern Rockies.  Forecasted dry 
lightning, combined with high temperatures and low relative 
humidities, were expected to cause increased activity in  areas of the 
western United States.  

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from yesterday's numbers in parentheses): 131 crews (+ 47), 
675 overhead (+ 239), 362 engines (+ 102), 55 helicopters (+ 10), and 
nine air tankers (+ 4).

Very high and extreme fire danger indices were reported in Oregon, 
Alaska, California, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, Wyoming, 
Colorado, and Mississippi.

NPS FIRES

Hawaii Volcanoes NP (HI) - The 300-acre Broomsedge Fire is burning 
largely in grass. Hot and dry conditions contributed to rapid growth. 
The cause is under investigation. 

SIGNIFICANT NON-NPS FIRES 

Lakeview District, BLM (OR) - The Lugnut Fire (22 miles northeast of 
Fort Rock) has burned 1,200 acres. A Type II team has been assigned.

Clearwater NF (ID) - A Type II team has been assigned to the Bear Camp 
Fire (40 miles southwest of Missoula). It has so far burned 350 acres.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 7/1]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

INTERPRETATION AND VISITOR SERVICES

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No submissions.

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

INTERCHANGE

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

No submissions.

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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