NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Wednesday, August 16, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1896, gold was discovered near Dawson, Canada.  
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park comprises a building in 
Seattle and sites in and around Skagway, Alaska, associated with the 
rush to the gold fields.

INCIDENTS

00-429 - Pinnacles NM (CA) - Follow-up on Rescue

On July 27th, W.A., 22, died from injuries suffered in a 
30-foot fall from the popular "Tourist Trap" climbing route on July 
22nd. W.A. was wearing a helmet, but received a blow to the back of 
his head just below his helmet line. The injury produced severe 
inter-cranial swelling. [Jerry Case, CR, PINN, 8/9]

00-485 - Gateway NRA (NJ/NY) - Armed Robbery

USPP officer Chris Santangelo was flagged down on the evening of 
August 8th by a citizen who reported that a robbery had just occurred 
at Hamilton Beach. Santangelo found the victim, who said that he'd 
been grabbed from behind, placed in a choke hold, struck several 
times, then relieved of $95 in currency. The man's assailant had 
brandished a knife during the attack and also had a crowbar with him. 
A search of the area was begun and a man who met the description of 
the assailant was found and positively identified. Santangelo arrested 
him after a brief struggle. He was identified as W.T., 21, a 
homeless man. The knife was found in the area. W.T. has been charged 
by the county DA with first degree robbery, second degree assault, 
criminal possession of a weapon, and menacing. W.T. has a prior 
history of robberies. [Lt. John Marigliano, GATE, 8/10]

00-486 - Blue Ridge Parkway (VA/NC) - Strong-Arm Robbery

B.D., a former employee of the Pisgah Inn, a park 
concession, returned to the inn on August 11th to meet with the 
manager and obtain his final check. They met at the main registration 
desk. When the manager went into his office, B.D. opened the cash 
drawer and began removing money. The manager returned to the desk and 
confronted B.D.; a scuffle ensued. The manager was able to 
retrieve some of the money and followed B.D. into the parking lot, 
where the struggle continued until B.D. pulled a baseball bat from 
his car. The manager disengaged and B.D. fled in his vehicle. The 
incident was reported as an armed robbery, engendering a response by 
park, Forest Service and county units. B.D. was taken into custody 
by a county deputy after wrecking his vehicle on a state highway. 
Kristin Fey is the case ranger. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, 
BLRI, 8/11]

00-487 - Yellowstone NP (WY) - Injury from Confrontation with Bear

A park visitor received minor injuries during an encounter with a 
grizzly bear on the Avalanche Peak trail in the eastern portion of the 
park on the morning of Sunday, July 30th. The encounter occurred when 
M.O., 18, and his companion, M.R., both of Webster 
Groves, Missouri, had hiked approximately two-thirds of the way up the 
trail.  They had stopped briefly to remove some of their clothing 
layers when they heard the two bears - probably an adult female 
grizzly bear with a sub-adult - approaching them.  Both men 
immediately dropped to the ground and curled up, face down, with their 
hands protecting their necks.  The men were approached by the adult 
grizzly bear, who bit and sniffed M.O. and then approached M.R. 
and sniffed at him.  M.O. received a minor puncture wound on his 
wrist and other minor abrasions to his hand; M.R. was not injured. 
The two hikers were able to hike down to the trailhead.  About ten 
minutes after the first encounter, they came upon the same two bears.  
They again dropped to the ground and protected their necks while the 
adult bear sniffed at them.  The bear eventually left them alone, and 
the two were able to make their way down to the trailhead, where they 
reported the two incidents to park staff. M.O. received initial 
emergency medial treatment by park staff and was then driven to the 
Lake Hospital by M.R. for additional care.  He was treated and 
released. [Public Affairs, YELL, 7/31]

00-488 - Glacier NP (MT) - Backpacker Injured in Bear Encounter

K.K., 26, and K.T., 27, both from Ann Arbor, Michigan, 
were hiking down the Swiftcurrent Pass trail on the morning of August 
14th when they rounded a bend and encountered a dark brown adult bear 
coming towards them in a full-blown charge. K.K., who was in the 
lead, dropped into a fetal position just as the bear hit him. K.T. 
dropped to the ground and curled up in some bushes just off the trail. 
During the 10-second attack, K.K. sustained laceration and puncture 
wounds to his thighs and hips and his pack and sleeping pad were 
damaged. The bear then approached K.T., but left her alone and 
departed. Investigating rangers believe that their response minimized 
K.K.'s injuries and probably prevented the bear from mauling K.T. 
They told the rangers that they were very glad that they had watched 
the park's backcountry video, as they otherwise would not have known 
what to do during a bear attack. K.K. was transported by litter to 
the trailhead, then taken by ambulance to Browning Hospital for 
treatment of his injuries. The attack occurred in an area of thick 
sub-alpine fur near the head of Bullhead Lake. The trail has been 
temporarily closed between Swiftcurrent Pass and the trailhead in Many 
Glacier Valley. [Amy Vanderbilt, PIO, GLAC, 8/14]

00-489 - Great Smoky Mountains NP (NC/TN) - Rescue

On the afternoon of August 2nd, rangers responded to reports of a 
woman stranded in mid-stream by rapidly rising water in the West Prong 
of the Little Pigeon River, a classic Appalachian stream with a very 
steep gradient and partially obstructed channel. J.B., 26, of 
Hershey, Pennsylvania, had waded across the river while the water was 
low, then tried to wade back after heavy rains had swollen the river's 
volume. She made it part way across before deciding it was too risky 
to continue on her own, then climbed onto a partly submerged boulder. 
Rangers threw her a line, used the line to shuttle protective 
equipment to her, then ferried an inflatable kayak across the river 
and set up a Tyrolean highline to raise J.B. off the rock and pull 
her to the near-side shore. J.B.'s parents and boyfriend were on 
scene and watched the entire rescue. [Kevin Moses, GRSM, 8/14]

00-490 - Big Bend NP (TX) - Drug Arrest

Ranger Jason Smith saw a 65-year-old man acting suspiciously near the 
Santa Elena crossing gate between the U.S. and Mexico on the afternoon 
of August 6th. Smith later returned to the crossing and interrupted a 
narcotics delivery. Three unidentified men fled the area on foot with 
a vehicle tire. Smith pursued. They discarded the tire and escaped by 
crossing the Rio Grande in to Mexico. Smith retrieved the tire, which 
contained about 13 pounds of marijuana valued at over $10,000. The 
tire matched those on the vehicle the 65-year-old man was driving. No 
arrests were made. [Kathi Hambly, DR, Santa Elena District, BIBE, 
8/10]

00-491 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - MVA with Two Fatalities

On August 14th, C.D., 41, was attempting to pull out a 
vehicle with his jeep when the tow rope snapped and the jeep plunged 
down a 40- to 50-foot embankment, landing upside down in about 25 feet 
of water. Rangers were called in. They found a four-year-old boy who 
had been ejected from the jeep into the water and learned that C.D. 
and another child - B.D., age two - were still in the vehicle. 
Divers were called in and found the bodies of C.D. and B.D. 
inside the jeep. An investigation is underway. [Dispatch, LAME, 
8/14]

                   [Additional reports pending.....]

FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level V

CURRENT SITUATION

Nine new large fires were reported; containment was reached on three 
others. Initial attack was light to moderate, with some precipitation 
received in the Four Corners states. 

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from Monday's numbers in parentheses): 499 crews (- 21), 
4,485 overhead (- 159), 921 engines (- 163), 147 helicopters (- 29), 
and one air tanker (- 5).

Very high to extreme fire danger indices were reported in all eleven 
Western states, 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

Yellowstone NP (WY) - The park had eight new starts yesterday due to 
lightning strikes. The Moose 1 and Moose 2 Fires are near Moose Creek 
south of Shoshone Lake and have burned an estimated 60 acres. The 
Unlucky Fire, located in the southwest portion of the park in the 
Bechler area, is now estimated to be around 150 acres. This fire was 
first reported on August 13th. The remaining fires are generally an 
acre or two in size. Not all are being suppressed, partly due to 
location in rugged backcountry areas and partly due to lack of park 
firefighters (most are assisting on fires in Montana and areas 
surrounding the park where safety and structural damage are issues). 
Restrictions on use of fire in the park are in place, and some 
backcountry trails have been closed in Bechler, Gallatin, Snake River 
and Thorofare. The Mary Mountain trail between Old Faithful and Canyon 
has also been closed, as has Shoshone Lake. 

Gallatin NF (MT) - Beaver Creek Fire (3,500 acres, 0% containment, 
Type II team, 204 FF/OH): the fire has been particularly active along 
its west perimeter and continues to back downhill into the Cub Creek 
drainage. Although it has not yet burned into Yellowstone NP, it could 
hit the northwest corner of the park. 

Grand Teton NP (WY) - Glade Fire (100 acres, 0% containment, 62 
FF/OH): This lightning-caused fire is 12 miles north of Colter Bay. 
Flagg Ranch Lodge, a campground, residences and NPS quarters have been 
evacuated. Air tankers were successful in slowing the fire's spread to 
the east, toward the lodge, and south of the Grassy Lake road. 
Spotting has been observed a quarter to a half mile ahead of the main 
fire. Crews continue to work on spot fires. Yellowstone NP reports 
that this fire MAY cause the closure of the south entrance road at 
some point, but the road remains open at present. 

Grand Teton NP (WY) - Moran Fire (250 acres, 0% containment, one FF): 
The fire is burning with great intensity in very heavy fuels in the 
Teton Range west of Jackson Lake at Moran Canyon. The Moran patrol 
cabin has been destroyed. The Lower Berry patrol cabins, six miles to 
the north, have been wrapped and sprinkled. 

Bridger-Teton NF (WY) - Enos Fire (2,500 acres, 0% containment, Type 
II team, 17 FF/OH): The fire is burning in the Teton Wilderness 33 
miles northeast of Jackson. Intense fire activity has been reported. 
Concerns include both Forest Service and NPS patrol cabins, outfitter 
camps, and developments south of the fire in the Buffalo Creek area.

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

OUTLOOK

NICC has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for southwest South Dakota and 
northeast Wyoming for a frontal passage and dry lightning this 
morning, and a FIRE WEATHER WATCH for low relative humidity in 
northeast Florida.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 8/16; Public Affairs, 
YELL, 8/15 and 8/16]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

INTERPRETATION AND VISITOR SERVICES

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Tire Recall - Bridgestone/Firestone has announced a voluntary recall 
of all P235/75R15 Firestone radial ATX and ATX II tires and all 
P235/75R15 Wilderness AT tires manufactured at Firestone's Decatur, 
Illinois, plant (the latter have the code letters VD imprinted on the 
sidewall). The recall includes both original equipment and replacement 
tires and was prompted by a significant number of reports of tread 
separation. The tires may be found on sport utility vehicles, pickup 
trucks and vans. Some Ford vehicles purchased by GSA came with these 
tires as original equipment, and others may have them as replacement 
tires. Those who have a recalled tire should call their nearest local 
Firestone retailers to arrange exchanges. Although the tires are being 
replaced in three phases according to state, you don't have to wait 
for a recall letter to have your tires replaced if you have any 
suspicion that they may be defective. Take them to your nearest dealer 
for replacement. You can locate a dealer at the company's web site 
(www.bridgestone-usa.com) or by calling 1-800-465-1904. If you have a 
Ford, you may also go to a Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer for 
replacement. If you experience a failure of these or other tires, 
please report the incident via email to vehicle.buying@gsa.gov or by 
fax to 703-305-3034 or 6053. Please include a short description of the 
incident, the tire model, and mileage on the tire at time of failure, 
the tag number of the vehicle, and a point of contact and phone 
number. If you have problems with replacement of the recalled tires, 
contact GSA's Maintenance Control Center at 1-888-622-6344. In the 
interim, all vehicle owners using Wilderness tires should keep them 
inflated at the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. 
Owners of Ford Explorers or Mercury Mountaineers with P235/75R15 ATX 
and Wilderness AT tires should keep them at 26 to 30 psi. [GSA]

MEMORANDA

"Uniform Program Changes Effective October 1, 2000," signed by 
Associate Director, Park Operations and Education Maureen Finnerty and 
sent to all regional directors and superintendents for dissemination 
to employees:

Over the next two months you will begin to see implementation steps 
for the new web-based uniform management and ordering systems.  You 
should particularly watch for the following, all of which are 
effective October 1, 2000:

Uniformed Employees:

All orders must be placed through the new website.  The internet 
address will be provided in mid-September.  NO faxes or e-mails will 
be accepted.

A.      The website will require your individual account number (first 
        seven digits of your Social Security Number) and password for 
        access.  You will receive the password from Uniform Solutions 
        in the mail in mid-September. DON'T LOSE IT. If you have not 
        received it by the end of September, contact your Park Uniform 
        Administrator. The first time you log on to the website, you 
        can change the password to something that is easy to remember. 
        This website is accessible from any computer, so it is 
        essential that you safeguard your password.

B.      This website will be set up with a shopping basket, similar to 
        other on-line shopping websites. When you place an item in the 
        shopping basket, a running total will be displayed to show how 
        much of your allowance is being expended. When you exceed your 
        allowance amount, you will be prompted to provide a credit 
        card number, or pay the balance by check.  If you elect to pay 
        the balance by check, your order will not be processed until 
        the check has been received by Uniform Solutions and clears 
        the bank.

C.      Once you have placed an order, you can go on-line at any time 
        thereafter to check the status of your order through to 
        delivery at the park.

D.      Upon receipt of your order, you must go on-line and 
        acknowledge receipt and acceptance of the uniform components 
        received.  

Program Administrators

All Uniform Allowance Authorizations (UAA) must be placed through a 
Government website. The internet address for access will be provided 
in mid-September.

A.      This website will only be accessible via the Government 
        intranet.  The website will require a password for access and 
        data entry.  The password will be mailed from the Denver 
        Administration Program Center in mid-September. The envelope 
        will be addressed to the attention of the Park Superintendent. 
        The first time you log on to the website you can change the 
        password to something that is easy to remember. The electronic 
        UAA services two purposes: adding employees to the contract 
        (authorizing them to purchase uniforms); and authorizing 
        government funds to be used for that employee's allowance. 
        Therefore, it is very important to safeguard this password.

B.      Records for all permanent employees will be pre-loaded into 
        the UAA database prior to October 1st, however seasonal 
        employees will not be included in this initial database. They 
        will have to be added via the on-line UAA after October 1st 
        before uniforms can be ordered. Seasonals will receive a 
        password from Uniform Solutions once the Government has 
        authorized the account to be established.

C.      The UAA will require the employee's full Social Security 
        Number for employment verification.  Uniform Solutions will 
        only receive the first seven digits to create the employee's 
        account number.

D.      The UAA website is set up to crosscheck with the FPPS system 
        for employment status.  Therefore, a Request for Employment 
        Action (SF-52) must be in the FPPS system before a UAA can be 
        initiated.  This system will automatically terminate employees 
        in the database upon generation of a terminating SF-52.

Special Purchase Orders

All direct purchases must also be placed through the above website.  
This also will require a password.  The password will be mailed from 
Uniform Solutions in mid-September.  The envelope will be addressed to 
the Park Superintendent. If the designated person is a uniformed 
employee, a different password must be used to distinguish the order 
from a personal order.

INTERCHANGE

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

No submissions.

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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