NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Sunday, July 16, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1790, President George Washington approved legislation 
creating the District of Columbia and authorizing the purchase of land 
for federal buildings and parks, including such present National Park 
System units as the White House, the National Mall, and National 
Capital Parks.

INCIDENTS

No incident reports received.
 
FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level III

CURRENT SITUATION

Improving weather conditions assisted firefighters working on large 
fires in the Northwest, Great Basin and Rockies. Resources continued 
to arrive on fires in the latter two areas. High pressure rebuilding 
into the Pacific Northwest will start a warming and drying trend, but 
predicted lower wind speeds should help firefighters on most large 
fires.

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from yesterday's numbers in parentheses): 114 crews (- 40), 
731 overhead (+ 14), 280 engines (- 17), 64 helicopters (- 10), and 
one air tanker (+ 1).

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

NPS FIRES

Wind Cave NP (SD) - The lightning-caused Highland Creek Fire has 
burned 1,136 acres - up from 200 reported yesterday - but is now 75% 
contained. Full containment is predicted for today. Favorable weather 
conditions yesterday permitted direct attack. A total of 232 
firefighters and overhead personnel are assigned to the fire.

SIGNIFICANT NON-NPS FIRES 

Payette NF (ID) - Burgdorf Junction Fire (1,200 acres, 0 containment, 
Type I team assigned): The fire remained active although no acreage 
change was reported.

Salmon-Challis NF (ID) - Clear Creek Fire (25,000 acres, 0 
containment, Type I team assigned): The fire burned another 2,000 
acres yesterday.

Salmon-Challis NF (ID) - Fenster Creek Fire (3,500 acres, 0 
containment, Type II team assigned): The fire increased in size by a 
thousand acres on Saturday.

Bitterroot NF (MT) - Little Blue Fire (3,000 acres, 0 containment, 
Type I team assigned): A precautionary evacuation remains in effect. 
The fire has burned another 500 acres.

Lolo NF (MT) - Seeley Complex Fires (180 acres, 0 containment, Type II 
team assigned): Although no acreage change was reported, fire growth 
was rapid and spotting was a problem.

Lakeview District, BLM (OR) - Beaty Butte Fire (26,500 acres, 90% 
containment, Type II team assigned): Significant progress was made 
toward containment yesterday.

Ely Field Office, BLM (NV) - Cherry Fire (7,450 acres, 70% 
containment, Type II team assigned): Cloudy, cooler weather aided 
suppression efforts.

OUTLOOK

NICC has issued two FIRE WEATHER WATCHES - one for low RH and dry 
lightning in south central and southeastern Oregon, the other for dry 
lightning in the mountains of southeast Idaho.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 7/16]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

INTERPRETATION AND VISITOR SERVICES

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

West Nile Virus Information - On June 27th, a message went out to all 
regional directors concerning prevention of West Nile encephalitis in 
NPS sites. Information concerning West Nile encephalitis can be found 
on the natural resources web page at http://www1.nrintra.nps.gov/ 
ipm/wnv/. [Carol DiSalvo, WASO]

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

INTERCHANGE

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Intermountain Support Office (CO) - CORRECTION (the name was 
inadvertently deleted from the submission in yesterday's edition): 
Retiree and former ARD of Southwest Region Monte Fitch passed away on 
the evening of Monday, July 3rd, after a long illness. He was living 
in Grand Junction, Colorado, with his daughter Linda and son-in-law 
Larry Reed at the time of his death. Monte, a native of Norwood, 
Colorado, joined the NPS after service in WWII.  He was stationed at 
Mesa Verde NP, Colorado NM/Black Canyon NM, Theodore Roosevelt NP, Big 
Bend NP, Organ Pipe Cactus NP, Saguaro NM, the Washington office, 
Central National Capitol Parks and the regional office in Santa Fe. He 
retired there in 1977. Monte was interred in the Veterans Cemetery in 
Grand Junction, Colorado. Memorial donations may be made to the St. 
Mary's Home Health Care, 744 Horizon Court, Suite 200, Grand Junction, 
Colorado 81506. Messages of condolence may be sent to Linda Reed and 
family at 2724 Caribbean Drive, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506.

WASO International Affairs (DC) - The NPS is seeking two park 
management experts to make a parks assessment in Croatia during two 
weeks in September and October. Familiarity with lake parks and karst 
ecosystems is desirable. See www.doi.gov/intl/opportunities.html for 
more information. [Brooke Shearer, WASO]

Martin Van Buren NHS (NY) - Long-time park employee Marion Berntson 
will retire on July 29th, concluding a 16-year career at Martin Van 
Buren NHS.  During this period, Marion rose through the ranks from 
seasonal employee to supervisory ranger.  She also served for a year 
as acting chief ranger.  Her career includes numerous interpretive 
highlights, as well as a memorable hike out of the Grand Canyon as a 
result of a broken arm sustained during Ranger Skills XXXV in 1991.  A 
retirement dinner is planned for August 16th at Meadowgreens 
Restaurant in Ghent, New York. Those interested in attending should 
contact Mary Bates at MAVA via cc:Mail.  Messages and well-wishes can 
be sent to Marion by cc:Mail or mailed to her at Martin Van Buren NHS, 
1013 Old Post Road, Kinderhook, NY  12106. Marion is eager to hear 
from all her Ranger Skills XXXV classmates. [Jim McKay, CR, MAVA]

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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