NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Monday, July 17, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1944, two ships loading ammunition at Port Chicago 
Naval Weapons Station, California, accidentally exploded, killing 202 
black sailors and 118 others in the greatest home-front tragedy of 
World War II.  Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, located 
within what is now Concord Naval Weapons Station, commemorates the 
disaster.

INCIDENTS

No incident reports received.
 
FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level III

CURRENT SITUATION

New large fires were reported on Sunday in the eastern Great Basin. A 
Type I team was dispatched to a fire in Idaho. Containment goals were 
reached on large fires in the Northwest and Rockies. Dry lightning is 
forecast for Idaho, northern Montana, eastern Oregon and eastern 
Washington, which will raise the possibility of increased initial 
attack in those areas.

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from yesterday's numbers in parentheses): 142 crews (+ 28), 
929 overhead (+ 198), 359 engines (+ 79), 65 helicopters (+ 1), and 
one air tanker (no change).

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

NPS FIRES

Wind Cave NP (SD) - The lightning-caused Highland Creek Fire, which 
burned a total of 1,136 acres, has been 100% contained. 

SIGNIFICANT NON-NPS FIRES 

Salmon-Challis NF (ID) - Clear Creek Fire (25,000 acres, 2% 
containment, Type I team assigned): Permanent and seasonal residences 
are threatened; one home has burned. Difficult access and steep 
terrain are slowing fireline construction.

Salmon-Challis NF (ID) - Fenster Creek Fire (3,500 acres, 50% 
containment, Type II team assigned): The fire was very active during 
Saturday night; it made several runs and spotting was observed. Some 
forest roads and campgrounds have been closed.

Bitterroot NF (MT) - Little Blue Fire (6,100 acres, 10% containment, 
Type I team assigned): About 50 residences have been evacuated. 
Torching and short runs occurred yesterday afternoon.

Payette NF (ID) - Burgdorf Junction Fire (2,350 acres, 0% containment, 
Type I team assigned): Residences in a subdivision and a hot spring 
resort are threatened. The remote location of the fire and the 
steepness of the terrain are hindering suppression efforts.

OUTLOOK

NICC has issued a FIRE WEATHER WATCH for dry lightning in central and 
eastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho, and the higher elevations of 
southeastern Washington.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 7/17]

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

Death Valley NP (CA) - The park is recruiting for a GS-7/9 patrol 
ranger. The duty station is at Cow Creek. The park is seeking a ranger 
who can work independently and without close supervision in a program 
that balances service to the visitor and visitor and resource 
protection. The person selected will work with four other GS-9 rangers 
patrolling the middle third of the park. Patrols are conducted by 
vehicle (each ranger is assigned his/her own SUV), aircraft, horse and 
foot, and is a member of the park's SAR, EMS, wildland and structural 
fire teams. Required occupancy (there are NO trailers). There are good 
job opportunities for spouses; a K-6 school is located at Cow Creek, a 
7-12 school 45 minutes away in Beatty. The position has been posted in 
USA Jobs. Questions should be directed to chief ranger Bill Blake 
(760-786-3245) or assistant chief ranger Nancy Wizner (760-786-3259).

Navajo NM (AZ) - The park is currently advertising a GS-7/9 protection 
ranger position on USA Jobs.  The position is open to status 
candidates and requires a law enforcement commission and EMT 
certification.  Navajo National Monument preserves three of the most 
intact cliff dwellings in the Southwest and is located on a high 
plateau in the red rock country of the Navajo Nation in northern 
Arizona.  The selectee will work with the chief ranger on law 
enforcement, ARPA, and medical emergency issues within the park.  
Occupancy of park housing is required.  For more information about the 
position, please contact chief ranger Irv Francisco at 520-672-2366.

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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