NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Monday, July 24, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1965, "The Hiker," a memorial to veterans of the 
Spanish-American War, was dedicated near Arlington National Cemetery 
on land within the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia.

INCIDENTS

No incident reports received.

FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level IV

The preparedness level has gone up one step.  Preparedness Level IV 
goes into effect when the following conditions are met: Two or more 
geographic areas experiencing incidents requiring Type I teams.  
Competition exists for resources between geographic areas.  Either 450 
crews or nine Type I teams committed nationally.

CURRENT SITUATION

New large fires were reported yesterday throughout the West and in the 
South. Five Type I teams were mobilized nationwide. Competition exists 
for all national resources. Dry lightning is forecast for eastern Utah 
and western Colorado today; hot and dry weather will continue to 
challenge containment efforts. 

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from yesterday's numbers in parentheses): 392 crews (+ 201), 
2,073 overhead (+ 560), 651 engines (+ 407), 154 helicopters (+ 78), 
and 21 air tankers (+ 21).

Very high to extreme fire danger indices were reported in all Western 
states and in Texas and Alabama.

NPS FIRES

Mesa Verde NP (CO) - Bircher Fire (12,000 acres, 10% containment, Type 
I team, 482 firefighters and overhead): A Type I team has taken over 
the fire. Structural protection, air support and a burnout around 
Morefield Village prevented the village from burning yesterday. One 
building sustained slight fire damage. The fire continues to burn 
south and east toward Mancos Canyon on the Ute Mountain Reservation.

Hovenweep NM (CO) - Hovenweep Fire (950 acres, 30% containment, 126 
firefighters and overhead): Bulldozer lines were completed yesterday 
and held throughout the burning period. Crews made good progress with 
air tanker support. Nine residences and sensitive cultural resource 
areas are threatened.

SIGNIFICANT NON-NPS FIRES 

Salmon-Challis NF (ID) - Clear Creek Fire (44,000 acres, 15% 
containment, Type I team, 903 firefighters and overhead): The fire 
crossed Gant Ridge and made major runs in the upper Big Deer Creek 
drainage. Short but intense runs were also observed in Beaver Creek. 
All fuels are burning readily, with crown fire runs.

Payette NF (ID) - Burgdorf Junction Fire (6,784 acres, 30% 
containment, Type I team, 608 firefighters and overhead): Torching and 
spotting increased as the day progressed. Helicopters picked up spot 
fires outside containment lines. The fire made a run to the north and 
northeast late in the afternoon. 

Boise NF (ID) - Horn Creek Fire (900 acres, 20% containment, Type I 
team, 250 firefighters and overhead): The fire grew rapidly yesterday, 
with active torching and spotting up to a quarter mile away. 

Boise NF (ID) - Twin Creek Fire (350 acres, 0% containment, Type I 
team, 70 firefighters and overhead): The fire is burning near the Lost 
Trail ski area. Extreme fire behavior and rugged terrain are causing 
concerns. The fire is threatening buildings in the ski area and may 
disrupt traffic on Highway 93.

Wasatch-Cache NF (UT) - Wasatch Complex Fires (500 acres, 50% 
containment, Type I team, 383 firefighters and overhead): Ten-foot 
flame lengths were seen on one of the fires; torching and spotting up 
to a quarter mile ahead occurred on another fire. Forecast high winds 
and single-digit humidity readings will cause problems today.

Bitterroot NF (MT) - Little Blue Fire (5,800 acres, 95% containment, 
Type I team, 736 firefighters and overhead): Mop-up operations are 
underway on all divisions. Fire lines are being constructed around 
spot fires.

Lolo NF (MT) - Seeley Complex Fires (1,218 acres, 20% containment, 
Type II team, 232 firefighters and overhead): One of the fire's 
expanded to a thousand acres yesterday and is threatening a tent camp, 
a forest administrative site, and three backcountry bridges. The fire 
is burning toward natural fuel breaks and a wilderness area. Crews are 
being held back due to lack of adequate escape routes and safety zones 
and ineffectiveness of hand lines in checking fire growth.

Los Padres NF (CA) - Plaskett 2 Fire (1,500 acres, 0% containment, 
Type I team, 445 firefighters and overhead): The fire is burning along 
Highway 1. Structures are threatened. Containment efforts are being 
hampered by lack of resources.

Sequoia NF (CA) - Manter Fire (5,100 acres, 0% containment, Type I 
team, 282 firefighters and overhead): Low RH, shifting winds and lack 
of resources are impeding containment efforts.

Klamath NF (CA) - Bark Fire (1,389 acres, 70% containment, Type II 
team, 1,125 firefighters and overhead): Fire activity increased with 
the lifting of an inversion that had been over the fire. Four new spot 
fires are causing problems. Residences, private timberlands, a scenic 
river corridor and endangered species are threatened.

OUTLOOK

NICC has issued a FIRE WEATHER WATCH for lightning and low RH for 
areas above 7,500 feet in eastern Utah and western Colorado.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 7/24]

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

Denali NP (AK) - The park is recruiting for a GS-11 supervisory park 
ranger for the Savage River Subdistrict. The incumbent supervises 
staff and performs the full spectrum of ranger duties, including law 
enforcement, EMS, SAR, structural fire and resource management. This 
is a 6c covered position with required occupancy. EMT skill level is 
also required. The selectee will have the chance to experience the 
wilderness of Alaska from the back of a dogsled. Winter recreational 
opportunities abound. Alaska employees receive a 35% COLAR and an 
annual dividend check from the Alaska permanent fund. For more 
information, contact Tom Habecker, district ranger, at 907-683-9522 
(four hour time difference from the East Coast).

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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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