NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Wednesday, July 26, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1777, a British and Indian force under Gen. Barry St. 
Leger left Oswego, New York, to besiege American-held Fort Stanwix; 
its defenders, under Col. Peter Ganesvoort, forced the British to 
withdraw after three weeks.  Fort Stanwix National Monument in Rome, 
New York, contains a reconstruction of the fort.

INCIDENTS

00-427 - Ozark NSR (MO) - Assault

T.C., 25, was tubing on the Current River with a group of 
friends on the afternoon of July 22nd. He'd been drinking and became 
increasingly annoyed and frustrated by nearby motorboat traffic. 
T.C. told his friends that he was going to throw a rock at the next 
boat that passed by. That boat was one operated by an off-duty 
Missouri Department of Conservation agent, who had his wife and 
four-year-old daughter aboard. T.C. lobbed a rock at them and 
struck the four-year-old in the face, causing injury to her nose and 
adjacent facial area. The agent contacted rangers, who arrested 
T.C.. He's been jailed and charged with assault. Other charges may 
also be filed. The agent's daughter was taken by her parents to 
medical facilities. She has a broken nose and cuts and bruises, but 
was able to return home. [Tim Blank, OZAR, 7/25]

00-428 - Mount Rainier NP (WA) - Rescue

On the evening of July 24th, park rescuers, aided by an Army Reserve 
Chinook helicopter, rescued T.L., 47, of Temecula, California, 
from the 12,200-foot level of Kautz Cleaver on Mount Rainier. T.L. and 
his two sons, ages 17 and 15, were climbing on Kautz Cleaver and had 
stopped to camp. T.L. had removed his climbing helmet to set up camp 
when a rock avalanche struck the trio and he sustained head injuries. 
One of his sons called 911 on a cellular phone and was connected to 
climbing rangers at Camp Muir at 10,000 feet. A ranger team on the 
summit was dispatched to the site and reached the T.L.s after 
considerable effort. A ranger/EMT, assisted by doctors through a radio 
and phone link to Good Samaritan Hospital, assessed T.L.'s condition 
and determined that it was more serious than thought. Equipment and 
additional rescuers were lowered to the scene by the Chinook. T.L. was 
hoisted to the helicopter and flown to Madigan Army Medical Center for 
treatment. [Randy Brooks, IO, MORA, 7/24]

00-429 - Pinnacles NM (CA) - Rescue

Ranger Richard Banuelos received a report of an injured climber on the 
"Tourist Trap" route on Saturday, July 22nd. Ranger/EMT Don Gauvreau 
responded and found W.A. of Menlo Park on a ledge, 
semi-conscious and suffering from severe head trauma. W.A. had fallen 
about 20 feet, striking his head just below his helmet. W.A. was 
lowered 25 feet to the base of the cliff with the help of his fellow 
climbers, including his brother. A team comprised of park staff and 
CDF firefighters transported W.A. to an ambulance, then taken to a 
helicopter that flew him to Valley Medical Center. At the time of the 
report, he was in critical condition with severe inter-cranial 
swelling. [Jerry Case, CR, PINN, 7/24]

FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level IV

CURRENT SITUATION

Thirteen new large fires were reported yesterday in the Rockies, Great 
Basin, Southwest and South; containment goals were met on eight 
others. Heavy initial attack occurred in Colorado, Utah and Montana. 
Dry lightning is forecast today for western Montana and Wyoming, which 
may cause new starts. Initial attack crews also expect to deal with 
more holdover fires in Colorado and Utah. Mobilization of aircraft, 
equipment, crews and overhead through NICC increased. Four C-130 
modular airborne firefighting systems (MAFFS) aircraft have been 
activated at Hill AFB in Salt Lake City and four more are working at 
Point Mugu NAS in California; three Canadian air tankers have also 
been ordered.

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from yesterday's numbers in parentheses): 482 crews (+ 25), 
2,340 overhead (+ 110), 622 engines (- 59), 140 helicopters (- 18), 
and 11 air tankers (- 6).

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

The National Interagency Coordination Center issued the following 
memorandum to all member  agencies on Monday:

"This past weekend brought a significant upswing in fire activity in 
the western US and NIFC declared national preparedness level IV this 
morning.  With ongoing fires in Idaho, Montana and Colorado, the new 
activity in California, Utah, Washington, and Oregon have stretched 
our capability significantly.  In addition, unseasonably dry 
conditions in the South and Southwest and numerous initial attack 
fires limit the ability for those areas to respond.  Currently, only 
Alaska and the Eastern area (excepting the blow down situation in 
Boundary Waters area in Minnesota) are the only areas which are more 
or less quiet.

"We expect the West will be hotter than normal through October.  
Rainfall will be near to below normal except in Arizona, New Mexico 
and Colorado where the monsoon should produce adequate rain to temper 
the fire season.  Dryness will be concentrated over California, 
Nevada, northward into the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies.  La 
Nina is weakening but its effect on the west is pretty well set.  
(Typically warm and dry summers and falls in the West.)  The unknown 
factor is of course the amount of dry thunderstorms which will occur 
over the next 45 days.

"Observed fire behavior over recent days has included rapid rates of 
spread, flame lengths in excess of 10 feet and complete combustion of 
large fuels.  Both live and dead fuel moisture is very low in most 
areas and most fire danger indices reaching critical levels.  Based on 
what we experienced in the last 10 days which demonstrates how fires 
will burn under these conditions, and the long term weather forecast, 
we can expect to be very busy over the entire West for the next 60 
days.

"Activities prescribed in the National Preparedness Plan are ongoing.  
Liaison with the military has been established at NIFC, should it 
become necessary to train military as firefighters.  Eight MAFFs units 
have been brought on to help from the Air National Guard and Air Force 
Reserve.  Four units will be operating in southern California and four 
in Utah.  This will enable us to redistribute some of the commercial 
fleet to other areas."

NPS FIRES

Mesa Verde NP (CO) - Bircher Fire (22,667 acres, 25% containment, Type 
I team, 770 firefighters and overhead): The fire grew by about 700 
acres yesterday. Precipitation fell on the fire, and higher relative 
humidity slowed its spread and allowed crews to make significant 
progress toward containment. The park remains closed.

Hovenweep NM (CO) - Hovenweep Fire (1,525 acres, 100% containment, 113 
firefighters and overhead): The fire was fully contained yesterday.

Dinosaur NM (CO) - Harpers Fire (100 acres, 95% containment, 60 
firefighters and overhead): The fire, which was one of several started 
by lightning on Monday, burned toward the park's residential area, 
which had to be evacuated. Retardant and bucket drops kept the fire 
out of the area, though, and residents have been allowed to return to 
their homes. Fire line construction and mop-up are nearly complete.

Glacier NP (MT) - A lightning storm on July 22nd started several 
fires, the largest about 50 acres. Suppression efforts are underway on 
most of them.

SIGNIFICANT NON-NPS FIRES 

Payette NF (ID) - Burgdorf Junction Fire (8,200 acres, 50% 
containment, Type I team, 598 firefighters and overhead): Fire line 
construction is progressing on the south side of the fire. A spot fire 
was found and suppressed yesterday.

Salmon-Challis NF (ID) - Clear Creek Fire (51,699 acres, 20% 
containment, Type I team, 919 firefighters and overhead): All fuels 
are burning readily. Poor humidity recovery resulted in active fire 
spread through the night. A short, intense run was observed along 
Panther Creek. 

Boise NF (ID) - Twin Creek Fire (350 acres, 0% containment, Type I 
team): Structures are being protected in the ski area and other 
buildings along Highway 30 are being assessed.

Boise NF (ID) - Horn Creek Fire (1,035 acres, 95% containment, Type I 
team, 337 firefighters and overhead): Fire line construction is 
progressing well. Some demobilization of excess personnel will take 
place today.

Los Padres NF (CA) - Plaskett 2 Fire (2,500 acres, 18% containment, 
Type I team, 915 firefighters and overhead): Some evacuations have 
taken place in the Plaskett Creek area. Structure protection 
operations are underway for about 30 residential and recreational 
structures. Indirect attack is being used on portions of the fire due 
to current fire behavior and spread.

Sequoia NF (CA) - Manter Fire (7,500 acres, 15% containment, Type I 
team, 605 firefighters and overhead): The fire has now burned to the 
South Fork of the Kern River drainage. High temperatures, low RH, and 
a high probability of ignition are contributing to significant fire 
spread.

OUTLOOK

NICC has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for low RH, gusty winds and dry 
lightning for southwest Wyoming, and two FIRE WEATHER WATCHES - the 
first for dry lightning and low RH in south central Montana, the 
second for dry lightning, low RH and gusty winds in south central 
Wyoming.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 7/26; Mike Warren, NPS 
Fire Management Program Center, 7/25]

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

Submerged Resources Center (NM) - NPS diver David Conlin has been 
cited by the commander of the Coast Guard Base in Charleston, South 
Carolina, for saving two lives wile working on the site where efforts 
are underway to recover the Confederate submarine "Hunley." The master 
and mate of the vessel "March Tide" notified Conlin that two people 
from a capsized vessel were in trouble in the water. Conlin took a 
small boat from the "March Tide" and rescued them. He was cited for 
actions "in keeping with the highest traditions of the Coast Guard's 
search and rescue mission."

Mississippi NR&RA (MN) - The park is seeking a GS-9/11 manager for the 
new Mississippi River National Center in St. Paul. The center will be 
housed in the new Science Museum of Minnesota and is scheduled to open 
next summer. The mission of the center is to help people learn about 
the river and all the other units in the system through interactive 
computers, exhibits, programs, publications and educational 
merchandise. Candidates should have strong skills in partnership 
development, public relations, management, supervision, and knowledge 
of the Mississippi River or other large river systems. The closing 
date for applications is August 11th. Full details can be found at 
www.usajobs.opm.gov. For a paper copy of the listing, call Shannon 
Collins at 651-290-3030 x 241; questions about the park's educational 
program should be directed to Ron Erickson at 651-290-3030 x 227. [Ron 
Erickson, MISS]

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

Tuesday, July 25 (10:00 a.m., 485 Russell)

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

Wednesday, July 26 (10:00 a.m., 2203 Rayburn)

House Government Reform Subcommittee on Civil Service (Scarborough): 
Hearing on H.R. 2814, (Pombo, CA), a bill to amend chapter 55 of Title 
5, United States Code, to authorize equal overtime pay provisions for 
all Federal employees engaged in wildland fire suppression operations. 

Wednesday, July 26 (11:00 a.m., 1324 Longworth)

House Resources Committee (Young): Mark-up of:

o       H.R. 2267 (McInnis, CO), a bill to amend the National Trails 
        System Act to clarify Federal authority relating to land 
        acquisition from willing sellers for the majority of the 
        trails, and for other purposes.  
o       H.R. 3241, a bill on franchise fee calculations for tours at   
        Fort Sumter NM.
o       H.R. 3520, a bill to designate White Clay Creek (Delaware and 
        Pennsylvania) as part of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
o       H.R. 3632 (Lantos, CA), a bill to revise the boundaries of 
        Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and for other purposes. 
o       H.R. 3745 (Nussle, IA), a bill to authorize the addition of 
        certain parcels to the Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa.
o       H.R. 4521 (Hill, MT), a bill to direct the Secretary of the 
        Interior to authorize and provide funding for rehabilitation 
        of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, to 
        authorize funds for maintenance of utilities related to the 
        Park, and for other purposes. 
o       H.R. 4790, a bill to recognize hunting heritage and provide 
        opportunities for continued hunting on public lands. 

Thursday, July 27 (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 
the Cerro Grande Fire and their fire policies in general.

Thursday, July 27 (2:30 p.m., 366 Dirksen)

Hearing on:

o       S. 1734 (Durbin, IL) and H.R. 3084 (Shimkus, IL), bills to 
        authorize the Secretary of the Interior to contribute funds 
        for the establishment of an interpretative center on the life 
        and contributions of President Abraham Lincoln. 
o       S. 2345 (Schumer, NY), a bill to direct the Secretary of the 
        Interior to conduct a special resource study concerning the 
        preservation and public use of sites associated with Harriet 
        Tubman located in Auburn, New York, and for other purposes. 
o       S. 2638 (Cochran, MS) and H.R. 2541 (Taylor, MS), bills to 
        adjust the boundaries of the Gulf Islands National Seashore to 
        include Cat Island, Mississippi.
o       S. 2848 (Bingaman, NM), a bill to provide for a land exchange 
        to benefit the Pecos National Historical Park in New Mexico.

Monday, August 14 (Albuquerque, NM)

House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health 
(Chenoweth-Hage): Field oversight hearing on fire policy of federal 
land management agencies.

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 (July 18th): 

o       H.R. 4880 (Morella, MD), a bill to amend the District of 
        Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 to establish 
        new pay rates and compensation schedules for officers and 
        members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division 
        and the United States Park Police, and for other purposes.

NEW LAWS

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

                            *  *  *  *  *

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Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the 
cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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