NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Thursday, July 6, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1911, President William Howard Taft proclaimed Devils 
Postpile National Monument, California.  Hot lava cooled and cracked 
here some 900,000 years ago to form basalt columns 40 to 60 feet high 
resembling a giant pipe organ.

INCIDENTS

00-352 - New River Gorge NR (WV) - Kidnapping, Carjacking, Armed       
         Robbery

M.H., 39, of Oak Hill, West Virginia, was fishing near the 
DunGlen Ranger Station around 9:30 p.m. on July 1st when he was 
abducted and robbed at gunpoint by two men. He was then driven in his 
own car to a remote area of the park, tied to a tree, and left there. 
M.H. was able to free himself, walk about five miles to a telephone, 
and call authorities. M.H.'s car was recovered two days later in Mount 
Hope, about 15 miles away. Much of the valuable property in the 
vehicle had been taken, including a .38 caliber revolver that M.H. 
kept in his cooler. M.H. has described his abductors to investigators, 
and composite drawings have been made. Investigators are currently 
following several leads. [Gary Hartley, CR, NERI, 7/5]

00-353 - Antietam NB (MD) - Vandalism to Monuments

Two incidents of vandalism to park monuments occurred over the holiday 
weekend. On July 3rd, ranger Todd Stanton found that an unknown 
substance was poured over a large area of the New Jersey monument, but 
it was washed off by a heavy rain. On the 5th, he found that a granite 
artillery shell that forms part of the neighboring Indiana monument's 
platform wall had been dislodged from a horizontal section of that 
wall. Cultural resources staff also found that other caulking had been 
removed from the monument joints. Both of these monuments were damaged 
by an oil-like substance late last year (see 99-708). The incidents of 
monument damage in several Civil War parks last year remain unsolved 
and any information on similar occurrences is of interest to 
investigators. If you have any relevant information, please call the 
park at 301-432-2243 or contact Ed Wenschhof via cc:Mail. [Ed 
Wenschhof, CR, ANTI, 7/5]

00-354 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Search and Rescue: Lost Sibling

On June 20th, K.B., 21, and her brother, G.B., became lost 
while attempting to hike to Young Lakes. After spending the night in 
the Coness Creek drainage, G.B. left the camp to look for the 
Young Lakes trail. He became disoriented and was unable to relocate 
their camp, but eventually met up with a park trail crew and reported 
that his sister was still lost. K.B. went looking for her 
brother and became similarly disoriented, then lost. She wandered for 
some time in the drainage, eventually reaching the Glen Aulin High 
Sierra camp on the evening of the 21st, where she was given food and 
shelter by other backpackers. A ground and air search for her began on 
the morning of the 22nd. A searcher contacted G.B. at the camp and 
she was evacuated by helicopter to Tuolumne Meadows. The B.'s lost 
camp was found on the 23rd and their gear was retrieved. [Maura 
Longdon, IC, YOSE, 7/5]

00-355 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Rescue: Fall from Trail Bridge

S.S., 55, of Van Nuys, was injured on June 22nd when she was 
bumped off a bridge on the Glen Aulin trail by a passing pack mule. 
S.S. was leading a backpacking trip and was standing on the bridge 
when the incident occurred. She fell about six feet onto rocks, 
fracturing several vertebrae and sustaining a deep laceration on her 
hand. A ten-person carryout team evacuated her to Tuolumne Meadows, 
where she was transferred by ambulance to Mammoth Lakes Hospital. 
[Maura Longdon, IC, YOSE, 7/5]

00-356 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Rescue: Climbers Injured by Lightning

On June 25th, four climbers were injured by lightning while climbing 
the southeast buttress of Cathedral Peak.  When the lightning struck, 
A.B., 24, B.B., 28, and G.M., 28, were on the 
final pitch of their ascent, and B.S., 23, and W.E., 
42, had just reached the summit. Three of the climbers lost 
consciousness and four received minor burns. A ham radio operator 
relayed the first report to the park, stating that just one person had 
been injured. Because of the storm, it was not possible to fly in by 
helicopter, so a 12-person rescue team led by rangers Jeff Webb and 
Paul Austin hiked to the area. While they were en route, they learned 
that four climbers had been injured and that they were assisting each 
other on a technical descent on the northwest side of the peak. Four 
additional rescuers were dispatched to the scene. Paramedic Keith 
Lober and EMT Steve Yu heli-rappelled into the area once the storm 
cleared. The Betts brothers were evacuated by trail, then taken by 
ambulance to the Mammoth Lakes hospitals; the other two injured 
climbers declined treatment. All are expected to recover from their 
injuries. [Maura Longdon, IC, YOSE, 7/5]

00-357 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Rescue: Attempted Suicide

Park dispatch received a 911 call from nearby residents early on the 
morning of June 28th, reporting that a man was yelling for help from 
Ahwahnee Meadow in Yosemite Valley. Responding rangers found a man 
from Modesto, California, bleeding from severe lacerations on his neck 
and wrists. He told rangers and special agents that he had attempted 
suicide because he wanted "to see what was on the other side of 
death." Modesto police were asked to make a welfare check on his wife 
and were told that she had also attempted suicide in the same manner 
that same morning at their home in that city. The man was flown by 
helicopter ambulance to a trauma center in Modesto, where he was 
operated on for his wounds and committed for psychiatric evaluation. 
Investigation indicates that the injuries both husband and wife 
suffered were self-inflicted. [Jeff Sullivan, Supervisory SA, YOSE, 
7/5]

00-358 - Booker T. Washington NM (VA) - Special Event: Family Reunion

On June 24th, the park hosted the Booker T. Washington family reunion. 
A crowd of 450 people turned out for the event at Dr. Washington's 
birthplace, including 100 family members, many of them direct 
descendants of Washington, who came to the park to visit the place 
where he was born, enslaved, and emancipated to discuss and celebrate 
his life and legacy. Director Stanton and others spoke at a ceremony 
in which great-granddaughter Edith Washington Johnson unveiled a bust 
of Washington. Participants also attended several interpretive 
programs throughout the day, most notably a costumed performance by 
Ajena Rogers of Valley Forge NHP entitled "Rachel Hatcher: Looking To 
Freedom." With the exception of three cases of heat exhaustion, there 
were no incidents. [Tina Orcutt, CR, BOWA, 6/30]

00-359 - Cowpens NB (SC) - Special Event: Fourth of July Gathering

Over 9,000 people attended the park's annual, old-fashioned "July 4th 
in the Park" event, and many more viewed the associated fireworks from 
outside the park. Two local Congressmen had earlier selected this 
event as a "local legacies" site in honor of the Library of Congress's 
200th anniversary. Assisting with the event were personnel from Kings 
Mountain NMP, Ninety Six NHS and the American Red Cross. The final 
battle scenes in the newly-released movie, "The Patriot," were 
purportedly of the Battle of Cowpens, sparking interest in that 
battle, the southern campaigns of the Revolutionary War, and the era 
in general. This undoubtedly accounted for the unusually heavy 
visitation. There were no drugs, drunks, accidents, injuries, 
incidents or complaints - everyone seemed to have a great time. 
[Farrel Saunders, Superintendent, COWP/NISI, 7/5]

                    [Additional reports pending....]

FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level II

CURRENT SITUATION

New large fires were reported yesterday in the Great Basin. Initial 
attack there and in California was moderate. An area command team has 
been ordered to manage the six reported large fires in western 
Colorado and southwest Wyoming.

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from Tuesday's numbers in parentheses): 62 crews (- 53), 284 
overhead (- 310), 136 engines (- 156), 32 helicopters (- 15), and one 
air tanker (- 6).

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

NPS FIRES

Dinosaur NM (CO) - The Buster Flats Fire has now burned 9,750 acres 
and is 30% contained. A Type II team has been assigned, and a total of 
153 overhead personnel and firefighters have been committed. The fire 
is burning in pinyon pine and juniper. Winds gusting to 40 mph and low 
relative humidity readings are causing rapid fire spread. The fire is 
threatening Brown's Park NWR headquarters, residences and historic 
buildings.

Denali NP (AK) - Three big fires burning in the park were all reported 
to have been very active on July 4th: 

o       Foraker Fire (14,179 acres) - The fire made a run north of 
        Carlson Lake and has flanked the lake on its east and west 
        sides. It's burning in continuous tracts of black spruce with 
        areas of wetlands and large ponds. The fire is easily spotting 
        over wetlands. The Birch Creek and Carlson cabins have been 
        protected by sprinkler systems.  
o       Otter Creek Fire (6,631 acres) - It appears that the Upper 
        Otter Fire has burned into this fire. Winds were northerly on 
        the 4th, pushing the fire further into the park. The fire is 
        flanking Flume Creek on the east side. It's burning in an area 
        of rolling topography with hardwoods and spruce. 
o       Chitsia Fire (4,972 acres) - The fire continues to burn 
        actively on its southern flank and is making runs up steep 
        slopes above the tree line. It's burning in the bottom of the 
        Chitsia River drainage to the east, but has not crossed the 
        drainage yet. 

Hawaii Volcanoes NP (HI) - The Broomsedge Fire has burned 1,008 acres 
and is 50% contained. Crews are mopping up hot spots on the northern 
flank. Containment efforts have been hampered by heavy duff fuels and 
poor soil for fireline construction. Full containment is expected 
tomorrow.

SIGNIFICANT NON-NPS FIRES 

Grand Junction District, BLM (CO) - The 4,100-acre Cone Mountain Fire 
is burning in ponderosa pine, pinyon pine and juniper. Long-range 
spotting, shifting winds, and 40-foot flame lengths are challenging 
suppression efforts. An outbuilding and a power line have been lost; 
historic mining structures, residences, a radio tower and other power 
lines are threatened.

OUTLOOK

NICC has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for very low relative humidity 
readings and strong gusty winds in western Wyoming and most of Utah 
and FIRE WEATHER WATCHES for strong winds and low relative humidity 
readings in central Wyoming and for strong winds and extremely dry 
conditions in western Colorado.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 7/6; Mike Warren, NPS Fire 
Program Management Center, 7/5]

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

Oklahoma City NM (OK) - The park has issued an all-sources 
announcement for a permanent GS-025 5/7/9 permanent park ranger. The 
announcement is on USA Jobs and closes on July 10th. The person hired 
will assist the chief ranger and other staff in designing and 
implementing all aspects of the new park's resource and visitor 
protection operations. For more information, please contact chief 
ranger Scott Bentley at 405-235-3313.

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, July 13  (2:30 p.m., 366 Dirksen)

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, 
Historic Preservation, and Recreation (Thomas): Hearing on

o       S. 2294 (Feinstein, CA), a bill to establish the Rosie the 
        Riveter-World War II Home Front National Historical Park in 
        the State of California, and for other purposes. 
o       S. 2231 (Hollings, SC), a bill to direct the Secretary of the 
        Interior to recalculate the franchise fee owed by Forth Sumter 
        Tours, Inc., a concessioner providing services to Fort Sumter 
        National Monument, South Carolina.

Tuesday, July 18 (time TBA, 366 Dirksen)

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Murkowski): Rescheduled 
markup session for S. 2123/H.R. 701, LWCF Conservation and  
Reinvestment Act of 1991 and S. 25, LWCF Coastal Impact Assistance. 

Thursday, July 20 (9:30 a.m., 366 Dirksen)

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Murkowski): Oversight 
hearing to receive testimony from representatives of GAO on their 
investigation of the Cerro Grande Fire and from federal agencies on 
that fire and their fire policies in general. 

Thursday, July 27 (10 a.m., 485 Russell)

Senate Indian Affairs Committee (Campbell): Oversight hearing on the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. 

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 (June 28th): 

o       H.R.  4754 (McCarthy, MO), a bill to provide additional 
        authority to the Army Corps of Engineers to protect, enhance, 
        and restore fish and wildlife habitat on the Missouri River 
        and to improve the environmental quality and public use and 
        appreciation of the Missouri River.
o       H.R. 4761 (Weldon, PA), a bill to designate the existing 
        visitor's center building located within the boundaries of the 
        Valley Forge National Historical Park at Route 23 and North 
        Gulph Road in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, as the "Richard T. 
        Schulze Visitor's Center".
o       S. 2786 (Baucus, MT), a bill to authorize the Secretary of the 
        Interior to carry out a plan to rehabilitate Going-to-the-Sun 
        Road located in Glacier National Park, Montana, and for other 
        purposes. 
o       S. 2796 (Voinovich, OH), a bill to provide for the 
        conservation and development of water and related resources, 
        to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various 
        projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United 
        States, and for other purposes.
o       S.   2797 (Smith, NH), a bill to authorize a comprehensive 
        Everglades restoration plan.
o       S. 2805 (Thompson, TN), a bill to amend the Federal Property 
        and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended, to 
        enhance Federal asset management, and for other purposes.
o       H.R. 4794 (Larson, CT), a bill to require the Secretary of the 
        Interior to complete a resource study of the 600-mile route 
        through Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 
        Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia, 
        used by George Washington and General Rochambeau during the 
        American Revolutionary War.
o       H.R. 4800 (Young, AK), a bill to require the Secretary of the 
        Interior to identify appropriate lands within the area 
        designated as Section 1 of the Mall in Washington, D.C., as 
        the location of a future memorial to former President Ronald 
        Reagan, to identify a suitable location, to select a suitable 
        design, to raise private-sector donations for such a  
        memorial, to create a Commission to assist in these 
        activities, and for other purposes.
o       H.R. 4808 (LaFalce, NY), a bill to establish the New York 
        Canal National Heritage Corridor as an affiliated unit of the 
        National Park System, and for other purposes. 
o       S. 2816 (Graham, FL), a bill to provide the financial 
        mechanisms, resource protections, and professional skills 
        necessary for high quality stewardship of the National Park 
        System, to commemorate the heritage of people of the United 
        States to invest in the legacy of the national Park System, 
        and to recognize the importance of high quality outdoor 
        recreational opportunities on federally managed land.  
o       S. 2817 (Graham,  FL), a bill to authorize the Secretary of 
        the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to establish 
        permanent recreation fee authority.

NEW LAWS

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

                            *  *  *  *  *

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address requests pertaining to receipt of the Morning Report to your 
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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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