NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Wednesday, August 9, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1877, the 7th U.S. Infantry under Col. John Gibbon 
clashed with Nez Perce Indians seeking to avoid reservation 
confinement at the Battle of the Little Big Hole.  Big Hole National 
Battlefield, Montana, preserves the site.

INCIDENTS

00-459 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Follow-up on Death of Employee

Funeral services were held yesterday for firefighter Phillip "Pip" 
Conner at the Central Christian Church in Henderson,  Nevada.  More 
than 550 family, friends and fellow workers attended the service.  In 
addition to National Park Service staff from all divisions at Lake 
Mead NRA, the services were attended by NPS staff from Mojave National 
Preserve and Death Valley National Park and representatives from BLM, 
USFS, the Nevada Division of Forestry, five local fire departments, 
police departments and the Nevada State Patrol.  Regional Director 
John Reynolds represented the director. An honor guard from the Clark 
County Fire Department, including a bagpiper, was present for the 
presentation of the flag. Friends and family shared stories of "Pip" - 
he was remembered for his love for flying, helicopters and fighting 
fire, and for his big smile and "can do" attitude. A mile-and-a-half 
long motorcade comprised of fire trucks and other apparatus from the 
NPS, BLM, USFS and local fire departments, park law enforcement 
vehicles, and other vehicles escorted the family and casket for the 15 
miles from the church to Veteran's Cemetery in Boulder City. The 
service there included presentation of flags and a flyover by a Flight 
For Life helicopter. The support offered by national, state and 
federal agencies in honoring Phillip Conner was overwhelming. Park 
staff extend their appreciation to everyone. [Katherine Rohde, LAME, 
8/8]

00-462 - Glacier NP (MT) - Rescue

E.P., 75, of Whitefish, Montana, fell while climbing in the Logan 
Pass area on the afternoon of July 27th, sustaining head lacerations, 
multiple fractures to both legs, and a ruptured kidney. E.P. was 
climbing with five others in the saddle between Reynolds and Heavy 
Runner Mountains when he evidently lost his footing, fell 15 to 20 
feet over a rock ledge, then rolled another 100 feet down a steep snow 
field. E.P.'s companions climbed down to him and stabilized his 
injuries; some of them then hiked out to the Logan Pass VC and 
notified the park. Park staff in the vicinity hiked to the area and 
treated E.P. Other park personnel, including park medics, were flown 
to the scene along with requisite rescue gear. Because of the steep 
terrain, E.P. had to be belayed about 200 feet down a slope to the 
nearest safe landing zone. He was flown by helicopter to Kalispell 
Regional Hospital, where he was last reported to be in critical 
condition. [Public Affairs, GLAC, 7/28]

00-463 - Big South Fork NRRA (KY/TN) - Drowning

On July 19th, L.M., 52, of Robbins, Tennessee, went fishing 
near Burnt Mill Bridge. When he failed to return home by the following 
day, his wife called 911; county dispatch then notified the park. Park 
personnel, county deputies and the county volunteer rescue squad 
responded. L.M.'s possessions were found, but there was no sign of 
him. A search of the area revealed a blood stain on a rock that 
extended into the river and a pair of pliers near the rock. 
Ranger/medic Ron Parrish began a hasty search of the river bottom near 
the rock and found L.M.'s body in about eight feet of water about 70 
feet from the rock. The autopsy indicated that L.M. had suffered a 
heart attack that likely caused his fall, but that the cause of death 
was accidental drowning. [Tim Grooms, Acting CR, BISO, 7/22 and 7/28)

00-464 - National Capital Parks (DC) - Rescue; Suicide Attempt

Park Police officer Anthony Senecal came upon a car parked on the 
grass between Ohio Drive and the Potomac River on the morning of June 
22nd. Senecal contacted the driver and found that he intended to drive 
into the river. When he put the vehicle in gear and started toward the 
water, Senecal placed himself between the car and the river, 
effectively deterring the driver from going further. The driver then 
put the car into reverse and left the area. Senecal followed him south 
on Ohio Drive towards East Potomac Park and stopped him near Park 
Police headquarters. Sergeant Phil Beck talked with the man, who was 
eventually transported to D.C. General Hospital for evaluation. [Sgt. 
R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 6/26 and 7/27]

00-465 - Organ Pipe Cactus NM (AZ) - Pursuit

On the afternoon of July 29th, rangers received a request from Pima 
County to deploy "stop sticks" to halt a southbound vehicle fleeing to 
Mexico at speeds up to 115 mph. The sticks were placed on the highway, 
but the driver managed to get around them and they were instead struck 
by a county vehicle. Two other deputies took up the chase and another 
attempt to stop the vehicle was made four miles further down the road. 
The fleeing vehicle narrowly missed a Border Patrol vehicle and 
another car containing a family that had pulled well off the road, but 
struck a Customs officer from the port of entry in Lukeville in the 
right leg. The vehicle continued for another 100 yards or so, then ran 
into a ditch while attempting to turn onto a gravel park road that 
parallels the border. When the driver got out, it appeared to Border 
Patrol and county officers that he was reaching into his waistband for 
a weapon. Several shots were fired; one round struck the driver in the 
hand and exited through his forearm. Rangers performed EMS on both the 
driver and the Customs officer that he hit. Both were flown by air 
ambulance to Tucson. Two people were arrested. No drugs had been found 
in the vehicle at the time of the report. A multi-agency investigation 
is underway. [Dale Thompson, CR, ORPI, 7/30]

00-466 - Organ Pipe Cactus NM (AZ) - Drug Seizure

Rangers and Border Patrol officers seized just over 300 pounds of 
marijuana on the morning of July 30th. A 1991 Chevy pickup was seen 
driving backwards at a slow rate of speed on a gravel road that 
parallels the border. It was hauling a quad ORV and an ice chest and 
attempting to blend into northbound weekend traffic returning to the 
U.S. from Mexico. The truck failed to stop for the Border Patrol 
officers and turned and fled south at speeds over 90 mph. Rangers and 
officers used "stop sticks" to deflate three tires. The truck 
continued south to within 150 yards of the border, at which point the 
two occupants bailed out and crossed into Mexico. The contraband was 
turned over to Customs. [Dale Thompson, CR, ORPI, 7/30]

                   [Additional reports pending....]

FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level V

CURRENT SITUATION

Light to moderate initial attack activity was reported nationwide 
yesterday. Twelve new large fires were reported, the majority of which 
were in the Northwest and eastern Great Basin. Over 142,000 acres were 
reported burned. Crews reached containment goals on five large fires 
in the eastern Great Basin, Northwest and northern Rockies. Dry 
lightning is in the forecast today for Oregon, Washington, Idaho, 
western Montana and Wyoming, so new fires are expected. Mobilization 
of aircraft, equipment, crews and overhead through the National 
Interagency Coordination Center continues at a brisk pace. 

NICC posted the following overview of the fire situation yesterday:

Northern Idaho and Montana continue to struggle with hot temperatures, 
low humidity and winds that are creating active burning conditions on 
numerous large wildland fires in the area. Twenty large fires burning 
in Montana have caused mandatory and voluntary evacuations of 
residences and have destroyed a confirmed 83 structures. Foreign and 
military personnel and equipment continue to bolster regular 
firefighters working throughout the West. Along with the 20,000 state 
and federal firefighting personnel, various management personnel and 
crews from Canada are currently in Montana, an Army battalion and a 
Marine battalion are in Idaho on two large  fires, and another 
battalion will be sent to Montana at the end of the week. Fire 
officials from New Zealand and Australia are at NIFC assessing the 
current situation and weighing options for sending resources from 
their countries to assist. In addition, one crew from Mexico is 
working in New Mexico.

President Clinton is visiting the Burgdorf Junction fire on the 
Payette National Forest in Idaho yesterday to survey firefighting 
efforts and visit with firefighters at the incident command post.

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from yesterday's numbers in parentheses): 622 crews (- 65), 
5,066 overhead (+ 246), 944 engines (+ 25), 206 helicopters (+ 27), 
and 11 air tankers (+ 4).

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

For more national fire news, go to www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/nfn.html, 
which also provides links to web sites for specific fires.

NPS FIRES

Mesa Verde NP (CO) - Pony Fire: 5,000 acres, 40% containment (+ 35%), 
Type I team, 462 (+ 98) FF/OH. Higher humidity levels lead to a 
significant decrease in fire activity yesterday, permitting 
firefighters to make excellent progress toward containment goals. 
Afternoon thunderstorms brought significant winds that resulted in the 
loss of some containment lines.

Glacier NP (MT) - Parke Peak Fire: 1,400 acres (+ 100), 20% 
containment (- 20%), 20 FF/OH.  Several new spot fires were located 
and contained yesterday.

For a listing of all fires, see www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.html. 

OUTLOOK

NICC has issued three FIRE WEATHER WATCHES - the first for dry 
lightning and low relative humidity for most of Oregon, central Idaho 
and western Montana; the second for dry lightning, low relative 
humidity and gusty winds for most of Wyoming; the third for dry 
lightning for most of Washington.

The flow around a ridge of high pressure over the southwest states and 
a weak area of low pressure off the coast of California will lift 
monsoonal moisture into portions of the west coast and the Great Basin 
today. This will bring a chance of afternoon thunderstorms, some dry, 
to the Great Basin and parts of northern California. By this evening, 
thunderstorms are expected to be more wet. Elsewhere, lingering 
moisture near the ridge will help bring areas of convection to the 
remainder of the Rocky Mountain states. 

High temperatures will reach into the 80's and 90's in most areas and 
up to 110 in the western deserts of Utah, Arizona and southern Nevada. 
Temperatures will be between 110 and 115 degrees across the deserts of 
southern California and southwestern Arizona.

Minimum relative humidities range from 10 to 25 percent in most areas, 
except drier in the hottest deserts. Winds are forecast to be 
generally 10 to 20 mph during the afternoon hours, with higher gusts 
around thunderstorms.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 8/9]

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

Bandelier NM (NM) - The park has posted an announcement on USA Jobs 
for a GS-12 acting chief of resource management. The position is not 
to exceed five years and may be only for a few months. The 
announcement is BAND 00-27 and closes on August 14th. 

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

Thursday, August 10 (Juneau, AK)

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Public 
Lands  (Craig): Field oversight hearing on establishing the value of 
the Brady Glacier mineral deposit in Glacier NP and to examine 
implications of NPS restrictions on commercial fishing in Glacier Bay.

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.

Wednesday, August 23 (Anchorage, AK)

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Murkowski): Field 
oversight hearing on the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation 
Act (ANILCA).

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 (August 2nd): 

o       H.R. 5083 (Roybal-Allard, CA), a bill to extend the authority 
        of the Los Angeles Unified School District to use certain park 
        lands in the city of South Gate, California, which were 
        acquired with amounts provided from the Land and Water 
        Conservation Fund for elementary school purposes.
o       H.R. 4907 (Bateman, VA), a bill to establish the Jamestown 
        400th Commemoration Commission, and for other purposes. 
o       S. 2885 (Warner, VA), a bill to establish the Jamestown 400th 
        Commemoration Commission, and for other purposes. 

NEW LAWS

The following bills have passed Congress and been signed into law: 

o       Public Law 106-246 - Appropriations for Military Construction: 
        This law has several sections relevant to the NPS. Section 
        2204 authorizes the North Pacific Marine Research Institute on 
        properties near or on Kenai Fjords National Park.Section 2303 
        is concerned with Glacier Bay National Park and fishing 
        restrictions.Chapter 7, Department of the Treasury, authorizes 
        training facilities dealing with firearms training to be 
        cooperatively managed by FWS and NPS.Division C, Title I, 
        appropriates funds to assist in fire damages related to the 
        prescribed burn, wildland fire on Bandelier National Monument, 
        etc.
o       Public Law 106-248 - Valles Caldera Preservation Act: This law 
        provides for the acquisition of the Baca Ranch. Section 104 
        (b), (c), (d), and (e) describe the administrative 
        jurisdiction that the National Park Service has over those  
        Baca Ranch lands that fall within the boundaries of Bandelier 
        National Monument. Title II deals with land exchanges between 
        federal and non-federal agencies if that land would be in the 
        best interest of the general public and is consistent with the 
        mission of each agency.
o       Public Law 106-249 - Griffith Project Prepayment and 
        Conveyance Act: Section 3(b) discusses rights-of-way authority 
        across all public lands necessary for the operation, 
        maintenance, replacement, and repair of the Griffith Project. 
        Section 5(c) refers to the lands in the Lake Mead National 
        Recreation Area and their relationship to the Griffith Project

                            *  *  *  *  *

Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed 
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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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