NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Monday, July 10, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1921, Benton MacKaye, a regional planner, proposed a 
long trail extending along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains and 
into New England.  Completed from Mount Katahdin, Maine, to Springer 
Mountain, Georgia, in 1937, it was officially designated the 
Appalachian National Scenic Trail in 1968.

INCIDENTS

00-299 - Denali NP (AK) - Follow-up on Employee Fatalities

A memorial service for seasonal ranger Cale Shaffer, killed last month 
in an air crash in Denali, was held on June 28th at the United 
Methodist Church in Madisonburg, Pennsylvania. Attending from the NPS 
were more than 20 rangers, some of whom came from as far away as 
Alaska, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, and an honor guard of six Park 
Police officers. The little town of 100 people is located in farming 
country in the central Pennsylvania hills. The church was overflowing 
with people, including family, Park Service representatives, and many 
of Cale's Amish and Mennonite neighbors. Many people spoke at the 
simple Methodist service, remembering Cale as a person who had touched 
many lives with his smile and adventuresome spirit. Family members 
recounted Cale's infatuation with becoming a ranger and his efforts 
toward that goal and read from his journal about his adventures in the 
park. They thanked the Park Service for being Cale's other family. 
Ranger Jim Northup talked about Cale's dedication and spirit and how 
he had been actively recruited at the Grand Canyon because of his 
outlook. Ranger Mark Motsko, who brought Cale's remains home to his 
parents, spoke about working with Cale and about how hard Cale worked 
to save lives on Denali. Superintendent Russ Wilson of Sandy Hook 
presented a letter from Director Stanton to the family. Cale's family 
and many members of the community expressed their thanks to the NPS 
representatives for making such an effort to come to Madisonburg for 
the service. Superintendent Bill Sanders, who attended from Hopewell 
Furnace, adds this note: "The heartfelt words spoken by peers, 
supervisors, and official representatives expressing Cale's loss as a 
friend, professional and fellow ranger made lasting impressions on the 
family, community, and, perhaps most of all, upon those of us 
representing the Service. We can take renewed pride in our 
organization at times like these which, although burdened by sadness, 
illustrate the continuing dedication of those in the Service to one 
another and to shared ideals bigger than individuals." [Summary from 
reports by Bill Sanders, Superintendent, HOFU, Ed Whitaker, DR, DEWA, 
and Bill Pierce, WASO]

00-383 - Gateway NRA (NJ/NY) - Special Event: OpSail 2000

The Sandy Hook Unit received record visitation - over 134,000 people - 
during the long Fourth of July weekend. The increase came largely 
because of OpSail 2000, the fleet of tall ships traveling up the East 
Coast. Twenty Class A tall ships arrived in Sandy Hook Bay during the 
weekend to stage for the July 4th "Parade of Sail" into New York 
Harbor. Visitors sat in the shadow of Fort Hancock's gigantic garrison 
flag, enjoying an ideal vantage point to view all the ships as they 
lay at anchor. The park received additional marine operational support 
from fire Island NS, and rangers from Edison NHS, Statue of Liberty NM 
and Morristown NHP provided support ashore. Also assisting were New 
Jersey State Police and the American Red Cross. No significant 
incidents occurred during the four-day period. On the evening of July 
3rd, when ship viewing was at its peak, vehicle traffic was 
bumper-to-bumper along the entire six-mile length of Sandy Hook. 
[Tadgh McNamee, CR, SHU/GATE, 7/8]
 
FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level II

CURRENT SITUATION

New large fires broke out yesterday in the western Great Basin, 
Northwest, southern California and South, but initial attack was light 
to moderate nationwide. Monsoon moisture is forecast for the Great 
Basin, which should minimize the number of new fires and assist in the 
containment of existing fires.

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from yesterday's numbers in parentheses): 92 crews (- 2), 452 
overhead (- 21), 181 engines (- 32), 36 helicopters (- 73), and three 
air tankers (+ 3).

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

NPS FIRES

Dinosaur NM (CO) - There was no change in the size of the Buster Flats 
Fire yesterday. It is now 85% contained, and full containment is still 
forecast for tomorrow. Parts of the fire received some rain, and 
higher relative humidity has helped in containment efforts.

SIGNIFICANT NON-NPS FIRES 

Nevada State - The 800-acre Seneca Fire (ten miles northwest of Reno) 
is burning in sagebrush and grass. The current threat is to Reno's 
watershed and to several subdivisions. A county brush engine was 
burned over during initial attack and the crew deployed fire shelters. 
No serious injuries resulted.

Washington State - The Oasis Fire (15 miles south of Anatone) began as 
a debris fire on the south bank of the Grande Ronde River and is being 
pushed by strong winds. It's so far burned 800 acres. Steep terrain 
and poor access are presenting problems.

Wallowa-Whitman NF (WA) - The human-cased 48 Fire (350 acres, burning 
20 miles south of Anatone) started near Cache Creek and is spreading 
rapidly in light fuels. 

OUTLOOK

NICC has not issued any warnings or watches for today.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 7/10]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

INTERPRETATION AND VISITOR SERVICES

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Uniform Program Update - A number of changes are being made in uniform 
components:

o       Zip-front and gray pullover sweaters - Both of these sweaters 
        are just about sold out. Parks should call ahead to determine 
        available sizes.
o       Green pullover sweater - The new, green pullover sweater is 
        being wear-tested and should be ready for inclusion in the 
        uniform program in August.
o       Boots - Both the general purpose hiker and the backcountry 
        hiker will continue to be sold until a suitable substitute can 
        be found and tested.
o       Boat shoes - As of July 1st, there were only 67 pairs of men's 
        boat shoes and 47 pairs of women's boat shoes remaining in the 
        inventory. When these are sold out, the shoe will be 
        discontinued. Call ahead for sizes.
o       Field and work shirts - Three new fabrics are being 
        wear-tested. All are breathable, durable and comfortable. Once 
        a selection is made based on performance, production will 
        start. All three of the fabrics have a UV protection rating, 
        which current field and work shirts lack.
o       Convertible trousers - A manufacturer has been bound who is 
        willing to work with the NPS to develop an acceptable pattern 
        and insure uniformity in color. 
o       Crushable wide-brim hat - Efforts continue to find a suitable 
        color for the style that has been adopted. None has yet been 
        found.
o       Jeans - Relaxed fit wear-test samples will be manufactured in 
        June. If the wear test goes well, the new fit will be 
        introduced.

Additional updates will appear in future Morning Reports. [Ken Mabery, 
RAD/WASO]

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

INTERCHANGE

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

No submissions.

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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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