NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Tuesday, August 15, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1869, Major John Wesley Powell, leading an expedition 
through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, arrived at the mouth 
of a stream he called the Bright Angel.  Powell's expedition was the 
first scientific exploration of what is now Grand Canyon National 
Park.

INCIDENTS

00-476 - Mount Rushmore NM (SD) - Special Event: Motorcycle Rally

The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was held in Sturgis, South Dakota, 
and the Black Hills area from August 7th through August 13th.  This 
year's rally was promoted heavily as the 60th anniversary/millennium 
rally.  Preliminary estimates by local officials are that over 500,000 
people attended, making it the largest crowd in the history of the 
event.  NPS units in the region - Mount Rushmore, Badlands, Devils 
Tower, Wind Cave, and Jewel Cave - were all significantly impacted by 
rally-related traffic and visitors.  The Midwest Region special events 
team was based at Mount Rushmore and provided support to Badlands, 
Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore.  An estimated 113,000 bikers visited 
Mount Rushmore during the rally period, a total 40 percent higher than 
the previous highest total in 1999.  On Tuesday, August 8th, 
approximately 19,500 vehicles entered Mount Rushmore, the highest one 
day vehicle total in the history of the park.  Motorcycle traffic was 
heavy from August 4th through August 13th.   Mount Rushmore rangers 
and the Midwest SET managed the extremely heavy traffic, responded to 
approximately 14 motorcycle accidents, handled 15 illegal drug cases, 
and responded to numerous EMS assists, minor law enforcement 
incidents, and visitor assists.  Rangers observed over 200 outlaw 
biker gang members or associates from over 30 different gangs wearing 
"colors".  This event has developed into one of the nation's largest 
events, with bikers spread throughout the Black Hills region for up to 
ten days each year. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 8/12]

00-477 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Pursuit; MVA

On August 12th, an employee at the park's south entrance station 
reported that a truck had gone through the gate at a high rate of 
speed and without paying the entrance fee. Ranger Kent Delbon 
attempted to stop the truck a few miles within the park's boundary, 
but the driver of the truck turned around and attempted to flee.  
Delbon followed for a quarter of a mile, then backed off when he 
determined that the driver was evidently impaired. The truck hit a 
signpost on a median just north of the entrance station, then collided 
with one of the entrance station booths, flipping the truck onto its 
side and causing structural damage to the entrance station.  Four NPS 
fee staff employees were inside the booth at the time of the collision 
but were unharmed.  The truck began leaking fuel, but responding units 
controlled and absorbed the spill.  The two occupants of the truck 
were rapidly extricated and taken to Flagstaff Medical Center. Alcohol 
is believed to have been a contributing factor. An investigation is 
underway. [Rosie Peragine, IC, GRCA, 8/14]

00-478 - Denali NP (AK) - Rescue

On August 8th, M.L., 30, of Lyon, France, obtained a 
backcountry pass from the park with the objective of spending two 
weeks on Muldrow Glacier. Four days later, the Rescue Coordinator 
Center (RCC) in Anchorage received an emergency signal from 
M.L.'s personal locator beacon (PLB). Rangers on board an NPS 
contract helicopter searched for her that evening, but were unable to 
spot her. The search resumed on the morning of August 13th. M.L. 
was located by the crew on an Air National Guard helicopter that 
afternoon and flown to Alaska Regional Hospital for treatment of an 
injured arm and hypothermia. Although M.L. was almost invisible 
on the glacier, the ANG crew was able to nail down her exact location 
with the electronic equipment they had onboard their Pavehawk 
helicopter. The type of PLB she was carrying must be activated by the 
person using it in order for the rescue signal to be sent out. The 
signal is picked up by satellite and relayed to the RCC. It also 
displays the name of the individual who is in need of rescue. [Jane 
Tranel, IO, DENA, 8/13]

00-479 - Zion NP (UT) - Rescue

Six members of the park's SAR team hiked into Orderville Canyon on the 
evening of July 25th in response to a report of a 43-year-old visitor 
with an ankle injury. J.R. of Clovis, California, had been 
canyoneering with two friends when he rolled his ankle and suffered a 
severe fracture. His companions left him behind and hiked 
three-and-a-half miles to report the accident. While waiting for help 
to arrive, J.R. crawled about a quarter mile down the canyon. Four 
members of the SAR team spent the night with him and were joined in 
the morning by six more team members. J.R. was carried out on a litter 
through several deep pools in The Narrows on the North Fork of the 
Virgin River, then floated by raft about two miles to Riverside Walk. 
He was evacuated by ambulance to a hospital and treated for his 
injury. Cindi Purcell was IC. [Dispatch, ZION, 7/31]

00-480 - Arches NP/Canyonlands NP (UT) - Search

On August 1st, a 13-year-old boy from Woodstock, Illinois, was 
mountain biking on a backcountry trail outside of Moab (and directly 
across the Colorado River from Arches NP) with his father and other 
members of a youth group. He biked ahead of his group, took a wrong 
turn, and became lost in very rugged desert canyon terrain. An initial 
search was conducted that night by county SAR team members; it proved 
fruitless, so a major search was begun the following day. The NPS was 
asked to assist and contributed 18 employees to the effort. The 
incident involved well over 100 people from numerous local, county, 
federal, private and volunteer organizations and received significant 
regional media attention. Arches and Canyonlands employees worked as 
trackers, ground searchers, dog team members, aerial searches, and 
support staff in plans, logistics and communications. Ranger Gary 
Haynes was the plans section chief. Environmental conditions were a 
major consideration, with daytime temperatures reaching 110 degrees, 
steep canyons, and rough and rocky terrain. The search continued until 
mid-day on August 5th, when trackers found the boy's body about 
two-and-a-half miles from his abandoned bicycle. There were no 
injuries or heat-related illnesses during the operation despite the 
prevailing conditions. [Jim Webster, CR, ARCH, 8/7]

00-481 - Yellowstone NP (WY) - Commercial Vehicle Violations

On July 26th and 27th, rangers and four troopers from Wyoming Highway 
Patrol's Motor Carrier Division conducted commercial inspections in 
the Old Faithful area. Seventy vehicles were inspected and a variety 
of violations were discovered. Five vehicles were taken out of service 
for temporary repairs; six vehicles and drivers were placed out of 
service for at least eight hours. Only a fifth of the vehicles and 
drivers passed the inspection with no violations. The remainder had an 
average of three violations. Twenty-two citations were issued with a 
total of $3,050 in fines ($315 for 36 CFR violations). Several 
favorable comments were made by the public regarding the inspection 
operation. [Dick Divine, SA, YELL, 8/13]

00-482 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Attempted Suicide; Rescue

On August 11th, dispatch received a call from park visitors who had 
seen a man jump off the South Rim of the Grand Canyon near Mather 
Point. They also reported that the man was still alive and lying below 
the rim. Rangers responded to the scene within minutes and found a 
31-year-old man from Odessa, Texas, lying in a group of trees 
approximately 150 feet below the rim. Ranger Matt Vandzura quickly 
rappelled to the patient and determined that he was suffering from a 
hemo-pneumothorax, partial avulsed foot, flail chest, and numerous 
other fractures. Vandzura was able to relieve the pressure of the 
pneumothorax through a needle thoracotomy. Ranger Nancy Mecham 
assisted in stabilizing the patient. Vandzura and the patient were 
lifted from the scene via helicopter short haul. The patient was then 
flown to the Flagstaff Medical Center, where he has undergone surgery 
on his foot and is in stable condition. [Kent Delbon, IC/Shift 
Supervisor, South Rim, GRCA, 8/13]

00-483 - Cape Cod NS (MA) - MVA with Fatality

A single car accident occurred on Route 6 just south of the entrance 
to park headquarters at Marconi Station early on the afternoon of 
Thursday, August 10th. Rescue workers found Z.B., 24, of 
Wellfleet lying in the middle of the road, several yards from the late 
model Nissan Pathfinder he'd been riding in. Z.B. was medevaced to 
Massachusetts General Hospital, where he died during surgery. The 
driver, J.W., 21, daughter of long-time Cape Cod NS 
district interpreter M.W., was taken to Cape Cod Hospital in 
Hyannis, where she was held overnight for observation and treated for 
minor injuries sustained in the accident. According to witnesses, the 
vehicle went out of control while traveling south and merging from two 
lanes to one. The vehicle reportedly rolled up to six times, during 
which Z.B. was thrown through the windshield. Numerous park units 
responded and assisted with emergency medical services and traffic 
control. Traffic on Route 6 was backed up for over five miles in each 
direction. [Kevin FitzGerald, CR, CACO, 8/11]

00-484 - Mount Rushmore NM (SD) - Special Event

On August 1st, Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor made an 
official visit to the park to address the 300 or so people attending a 
meeting of the National Conference of State Supreme Court Justices. 
O'Connor attended the opening ceremonies in the amphitheater, gave the 
keynote address, then joined the group for lunch. She returned that 
evening for the sculpture lighting program. Rangers worked with 
federal marshals and state police on security and logistics for the 
event. There were no serious incidents. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 8/10]

                    [Additional reports pending.....]

FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level V

CURRENT SITUATION

Fifteen new large fires were reported yesterday; crews reached 
containment goals on three fires in Nevada and four in other areas. 
Initial attack was light to moderate in all areas, but holdover fires 
were discovered in Wyoming and Montana. The total acreage burned so 
far this year is more than twice the ten year average through this 
date.

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from Monday's numbers in parentheses): 520 crews (- 4), 4,644 
overhead (+ 349), 1,084 engines (+ 154), 176 helicopters (+ 4), and 
six air tankers (+ 5).

Very high to extreme fire danger indices were reported in all eleven 
Western states, Oklahoma, North Dakota 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 AND NPS-RELATED FIRES

Glacier NP (MT) - Firefighters continue to employ confinement and 
containment strategies on the Parke Peak Fire, which is burning near 
Kintla Lake in the northwest corner of the park. Fire activity has 
moderated due to slightly cooler temperatures and small amounts of 
rain. The Kintla Lake campground has reopened. Level IV restrictions 
on use of fire remain in place throughout the park. 

Gallatin NF (MT) - Beaver Creek Fire (3,500 acres, 0% containment, 
Type II team, 200 FF/OH). The fire is burning near Yellowstone NP. Air 
tankers are providing protection for cabins and suppression of spot 
fires. It's been difficult getting people and supplies to the fire 
because of the area's inaccessibility. 

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

OUTLOOK

NICC has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for most of Idaho, western Montana, 
central and eastern Oregon and Washington (gusty winds and low 
relative humidity) and two FIRE WEATHER WATCHES - one for southwest 
Montana, southeast Idaho and Bighorn NF in Wyoming (gusty winds and 
low relative humidity), the other for the inland counties of northern 
Florida (low relative humidity).

A strong low pressure area embedded in a dry southwest flow will move 
into the Pacific northwest, bringing seasonal temperatures for the 
northwest, Great Basin and northern Rockies.  Portions of the Great 
Basin and northern Rockies will have breezy to windy conditions.  
There is a slight chance of precipitation in the central Rocky 
Mountains.  Monsoonal moisture and a threat of thunderstorms continues 
across the southwest United States as high pressure extends from 
eastern Colorado to southern California.

Northwest to southwest winds of 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 35 
mph can be expected across portions of the north.  Elsewhere, winds 
will be 10 to 15 mph. 

High temperatures will range from the mid 70's to the mid 90's in most 
areas and up to 110 in the deserts of western Utah, northern Arizona 
and southern Nevada.  Up to 115 degree temperatures will occur across 
the southern California and Arizona desert areas.  Afternoon relative 
humidities will range from the low teens to around 30 in most areas, 
except drier in the hottest deserts and higher in the mountains.  

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 8/15; Public Affairs, 
GLAC, 8/14]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

INTERPRETATION AND VISITOR SERVICES

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Update on Cerro Grande Board of Inquiry - In June, Director Stanton 
appointed a board of inquiry to investigate whether personnel actions 
should be taken in regard to the way the Cerro Grande prescribed fire 
was conducted.  The board was unable to complete its report by July 
31st as planned.  The board was unable to interview several people 
because they are out fighting fires. They may not be available for 
interviews until much later in the fire season. The Forest Service 
member of the board was also called back to Montana on emergency fire 
management duties.   It's there uncertain when the report will be 
completed. If the report proposes any personnel actions, then its 
findings will not be made public until the affected employees have 
completed their right to review and respond to any proposed personnel 
actions. At that point, an official decision will be announced and the 
board's report will be released. [Public Affairs, WASO]

Commemorative Badge - The Millennium National Park Ranger Badges are 
currently being shipped to those who ordered them. Most of those 
ordered prior to the June 10th deadline should be received in time to 
be worn on the uniform from Saturday, August 19th, to Sunday, August 
27th, the week surrounding Founders Day (August 25th).  The badges are 
to be retired and not worn on the uniform beyond August 27th. Those 
who have not yet received their badges should not be concerned, as 
they are being shipped as they are finished with no attention to park 
locations. [Dwayne Collier, SOAR]

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

INTERCHANGE

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Lake Meredith NRA/Alibates Flint Quarries NM (TX) - The two parks are 
looking for a GS-11 chief of interpretation.  The job includes 
supervising a seasonal interpretive staff and a large VIP contingent, 
many of whom lead tours at Alibates Flint Quarries; working with a 
teacher team to continue developing a teacher-led high school water 
quality and ecology program; serving as the park's public information 
officer; managing the park cooperating association; managing the 
interpretation, VIP, and cooperating association budgets; representing 
the parks at the yearly NAI conference and at the chiefs of 
interpretation conference; working on a comprehensive interpretive 
plan for both parks; and planning a visitor contact station and SPMA 
sales area for a new park headquarters. The park headquarters is 
located in the small town of Fritch, about 35 miles northeast of 
Amarillo (population 170,000), and eight miles west of Borger 
(population 16,000).  Housing is inexpensive. Educational facilities 
include a two-year college in Borger, four-year colleges in Amarillo, 
and West Texas University in Canyon, Texas, which is 50 miles away.  
Schools are well rated from elementary through high school.  Summer 
days are hot but cool off to the 60's at night.  The park needs a 
highly motivated professional interpreter who would like to lead and 
manage her/his own program.  For more information on the position, 
contact chief ranger Bill Briggs at 806-857-0302 or Laura Illige at 
202-282-1063 x 117.  The announcement closes on August 16th.

Natural Bridges NM (UT) - The park is seeking someone for a lateral 
reassignment to a permanent, subject-to-furlough GS-9 protection 
ranger position.  A law enforcement commission and EMT certification 
are required.  This is a 6(c) covered position with required 
occupancy.  The furlough is expected to be from two to three pay 
periods in duration.  In addition to law enforcement and EMS 
responsibilities, the ranger will be responsible for implementation of 
the monitoring program for the natural resource I&M program and exotic 
plant eradication.  Structural and wildland fire certification is also 
needed, but training is available. The ranger will also work closely 
with the visitor services and fee collection operation, providing 
staffing assistance primarily during the winter months.   The park is 
located 45 miles from the town of Blanding, which has schools and 
other services.  Interested rangers should send an application or 
resume by August 31st to Natural Bridges National Monument, Attn:  
Chief Ranger, HC 60 Box 1, Lake Powell, Utah 84533.  For more detailed 
information, contact chief ranger Mardi Arce at 435-692-1234 x 15.

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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