NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date: Friday, August 25, 2000

                           *** NOTICE ***

Today is Founder's Day, commemorating the date on which the National 
Park Service was created. See "Memoranda" below for the text of the 
annual memorandum waiving admission fees for the day.

ALMANAC

On this date in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson approved an act of 
Congress creating the National Park Service and directing it "to 
conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild 
life [in the national parks] and to provide for the enjoyment of the 
same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired 
for the enjoyment of future generations."

INCIDENTS

00-506 - Caribbean/South Florida Areas - Follow-up on Hurricane Debby

Hurricane Debby has largely dissipated and no longer presents a threat 
to any NPS areas. Reports have been received from several areas on 
impacts, preparations, and resumption of normal operations:

o       Virgin Islands NP (VI) - The park is conducting a damage 
        assessment, but the initial review suggests that the 
        hurricane's impact has been limited to additional slumping in 
        one road cut. The visitor center opened again on Wednesday. 
        Safety inspections and debris cleanup along roadways were in 
        progress at the time of the report on Wednesday morning. The 
        park expected to be back in normal operations by Thursday. 
        FEMA asked the park for assistance in conducting damage 
        assessments in St. John. Those were completed and the 
        information was submitted on Wednesday morning.
o       San Juan NHS (PR) - Heavy rains fell on Tuesday night and the 
        entire island was placed under a flood alert. The park 
        received between two and four inches of rain per hour from 
        midnight until the time of the report at 7 a.m. on Wednesday 
        morning. About a quarter of the park's employees had reported 
        to work by then, and others were on their way in. About half 
        were expected to report. The park was reopened, but fees for 
        admittance to the forts were waived. Some parts of the forts 
        were also closed to the public for safety reasons. No damage 
        was reported.
o       Biscayne NPS (FL) - The park put its hurricane plan into 
        effect on Wednesday afternoon. All park islands - including 
        Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key and Adams Key - and the mainland 
        area at Convoy Point were closed to the public, and park 
        waters were open for vessel transit only. The islands remained 
        closed yesterday, but the visitor center and Convoy Point 
        facilities reopened.
o       Big Cypress NP (FL) - The park began shutting down on 
        Wednesday morning, but canceled storm preparations and 
        reopened on Thursday.
o       Everglades NP (FL) - The park closed at 5 p.m. on Wednesday in 
        anticipation of the hurricane's arrival. Only limited services 
        were available on Wednesday. Visitor facilities reopened on 
        Thursday and normal operations resumed.
 
[Judy Shafer, VIIS, 8/23; Paul Hartwig, SAJU, 8/23; Larry Belles, IC, 
BICY, 8/23-24; Toni Dufficy, IO, BISC, 8/23-24; Bob Panko, EVER, 
8/23-24]

00-515 - Yellowstone NP (WY) - Follow-up on Serious Injuries to        
         Concession Employees

Amfac Parks and Resorts employee S.H., 20, of Oroville, 
Washington, has died from burns suffered when she and two other 
employees - T.M., 18, and L.B., 18, both of Salt Lake 
City - fell into a thermal feature in Lower Geyser Basin. A memorial 
service will be held for her at Oroville High School at 2 p.m. on 
Monday, August 28th. A scholarship has been set up in her name; 
donations should be sent to S.H. Scholarship, Oroville 
Dollars for Scholars, PO Box 1530, Oroville, WA 98844. T.M. and 
L.B. remain in critical but stable condition. S.H. sustained 
third degree burns over her entire body. T.M. has second and third 
degree burns over 90% of his body; L.B. has third degree burns over 
90% of his body. A preliminary investigation of the accident has been 
conducted. It appears that the three employees attempted to jump over 
what they thought was a small creek. It was between 10 and 11 p.m. and 
dark at the time; the moon was not up, and they didn't have a 
flashlight. The three were a short distance behind the five others in 
the group when they fell into Cavern Spring, a large, 187-degree 
thermal feature. There is no evidence that alcohol was a factor. 
[Public Affairs, YELL, 8/23-24]

00-516 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Death of Concession Employee

On the morning of August 17th, North Rim rangers were dispatched to 
the concession housing area to investigate a report of an unresponsive 
man found in a restroom. Park medics and paramedics tried 
unsuccessfully to revived the 44-year-old man. The cause of death is 
unknown. Autopsy results are pending and an investigation is underway. 
Drug use is suspected. [Jeff Martinelli, PR, GRCA, 8/24]

00-517 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Lightning Strike with Numerous Visitor 
         Injuries

Lightning struck the pedestrian area along the rim between the El 
Tovar Hotel and Hopi House during a thunderstorm on August 22nd. A 
tour bus had just dropped off 17 passengers; they were walking to the 
rim to look at the canyon when lightning struck a tree within 15 feet 
of the group. Witnesses reported seeing a "lightning splash" travel 
between the tree and a flagpole about 75 yards away. Rangers employed 
triage protocols used in mass casualty incidents. Seven visitors were 
taken by three ambulances to the park clinic. Injuries ranged from 
temporary loss of hearing to unconsciousness to abrasions. All were 
subsequently released. Guardian Ambulance and Amfac fire and security 
personnel assisted with patient management. The lightning strike 
occurred prior to the lunch hour, a time when many visitors are 
typically walking along the rim. [Bil Vandergraff, IC, GRCA, 8/23]

00-518 - White Sands NP (NM) - Search and Rescue

On August 21st, ranger Garry Olson was notified of an overdue hiker in 
the Alkali Flats area. Ranger Greg Kouns and facility manager John 
Ford also responded. N.R., 18, of Alpharetta, Georgia, had not 
been seen for five hours. The temperature at the time was 97 degrees, 
and N.R. reportedly had only a quart of water with her. The area was 
searched by foot and ATV, but no sign of her was detected. An Army 
helicopter from White Sands Missile Range picked up Olson and began an 
air search. N.R. was spotted about six miles from the trailhead, 
walking toward the lights of a military facility outside of the park. 
She was moderately dehydrated, but otherwise in good condition. [Cliff 
Spencer, IC/CR, WHSA, 8/22]

00-519 - Pictured Rocks NL (MI) - Rescue

On the afternoon of July 19th, park staff learned that a visitor had 
fallen from a cliff near Munising Falls. Ranger Bill Smith and a 
county ambulance crew responded. L.T., 21, of Woodbridge, 
Illinois, was climbing on a ledge with a companion in an effort to 
reach the top of the falls when she fell 12 to 15 feet, then tumbled 
and slid another 25 feet before coming to a stop against a small tree. 
She was stabilized, evacuated to Munising Memorial Hospital, then 
flown to a hospital in Chicago to undergo surgery for a compression 
fracture of the twelfth vertebra. L.T. also fractured her left ankle 
in the accident. The area around the falls is closed to the public for 
safety and natural resource protection reasons. [Larry Hach, CR, PIRO, 
8/10]

00-520 - Delaware Water Gap NRA (PA/NJ) - Rescues

Heavy rainfall in the Delaware River basin on the afternoon and 
evening of August 12th (the same storm that caused the widely reported 
heavy flooding in northern New Jersey) caused a sudden, four-foot rise 
in the river and stranded 39 visitors at park campsites on islands in 
the Delaware. Rangers from the River District, personnel from the 
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and staff from commercial canoe 
rental companies worked throughout the day on August 13th to recover 
boats and equipment and shuttle surprised campers to take-out points. 
There were no injuries, but one person was arrested for boating under 
the influence. He was seen operating his motorized raft in an erratic 
manner and was evidently celebrating the recovery of the raft, which 
had washed away from his camp site during the night. [A.J. North, DR, 
River District, 8/20]

00-521 - Buffalo NR (AR) - Assist; Drug Lab

On August 1st, state, local, and federal agencies conducted raids on 
two methamphetamine labs in rural Marion County. One of the labs was 
less than a mile from the park boundary and near a tributary that 
feeds into the Buffalo River. Five people were arrested. Items seized 
included 14 grams of methamphetamine, 24 grams of marijuana, and 10 
gallons of various chemicals used in methamphetamine manufacturing. 
Approximately six months ago, ranger Jeff West received information 
from a confidential informant that methamphetamine was possibly being 
manufactured along the Buffalo River. West worked closely with local 
and state investigators to identify suspects and conduct surveillance 
operations. Several of the suspects were already under indictment for 
manufacturing methamphetamine prior to this case. One of the labs 
contained numerous items stolen from a park concessioner's store and a 
park bulletin board. Some of the lab debris at the site was packed in 
Buffalo River mesh trash bags. One of the suspects had reportedly been 
making night johnboat runs along the river, which is very dangerous at 
this time of year. Suspicion is high that the suspects actually 
operated labs along the river and within the park. If so, it's likely 
that serious environmental damage has occurred there. The 
investigation continues. (Bob Howard, LES, BUFF, 8/15)

00-522 - Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (MO) - Special Event

On August 14th, a political rally was held for Democratic candidates 
Al Gore and Joe Lieberman was held in Keiner Plaza, a small city park 
adjacent to the Old Courthouse. One First Amendment permit for 
activity in the park was issued to a large group representing the 
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The rally was 
conducted without incident, and had only minor impacts on park 
operations. Park staff worked closely with the Secret Service on 
perimeter security. [Rod Danner, CR, JEFF, 8/21]

                   [Additional reports pending....]

FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level V

CURRENT SITUATION

Initial attack was heavy yesterday throughout the northern Rockies, 
Northwest and eastern Great Basin. Some precipitation accompanying the 
lightning in Montana helped moderate fire activity there. A total of 
15 new large fires were reported; another eight were contained. 
Holdover fires from yesterday's lightning strikes will likely be 
discovered today in Montana, Idaho and eastern Oregon, but no new 
lightning is predicted in those areas. The 3rd Battalion, 327th 
Infantry, will be deployed to the Valley Complex in Montana today. 
Training will begin at for Bragg for the 1st Battalion, 321st Field 
Artillery.

Two firefighters were killed by lightning on the North Stansbury 
Mountain Fire, west of Grantsville, Utah, on Wednesday.  They were 
members of the Utah State Prison Flame-In-Go's Type II crew.  Five 
other firefighters were injured by the same lightning strike.  
Representatives from the Bureau of Land Management and the state of 
Utah will investigate the accident.

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from Wednesday's numbers in parentheses): 659 crews (+ 33), 
5,851 overhead (+ 485), 1,201 engines (+ 63), and 234 helicopters (+ 
9).

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

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

Jewel Cave NM (SD) - Jasper Fire (1,000 acres, 0% containment, no 
estimated containment date, unstaffed). Due to rapid expansion of this 
non-park fire yesterday, the park and Highway 16 were both closed. 
Fire behavior includes crowning, spotting and running in rough, broken 
canyons. The fire has spread quickly and containment efforts are being 
deterred despite the use of air tankers, bucket drops and engine 
operations

Yellowstone NP (WY) - Spruce Complex (5,216 acres, 0% containment, no 
estimated containment date, 59 FF/OH). Higher relative humidity helped 
moderate fire activity yesterday. Firefighters attacked one new fire.

Grand Teton NP (WY) - Teton Complex (13,006 acres, 0% containment, no 
estimated containment date, Type II team, 540 FF/OH). Significant 
progress was made yesterday on the Glade Fire and the south flank of 
the Enos Fire. The latter is moving to the west, backing down through 
stands of 30% to 50% bug-killed trees. Most fires continue to torch 
and spot.

Glacier NP (MT) - Parke Peak Fire (2,100 acres, 0% containment, 10/15 
estimated containment date, three FF/OH). There's been only low to 
moderate activity over the past week. A three-person crew is 
monitoring the fire. The governor of Montana has announced additional 
area restrictions and closures in northwest Montana, effective today. 
Under these heightened restrictions, no smoking or open flames of any 
kind (including portable cooking stoves) will be allowed in the 
backcountry. In the frontcountry, only portable cook stoves will 
continue to be allowed for those with camping permits and smoking will 
only be allowed in designated areas.  In addition, certain areas of 
the park may have access restrictions implemented if it is deemed 
necessary for visitor safety or resource protection. No campfires, 
charcoal fires or candles will be allowed anywhere in the park 
(including picnic areas), and the use of portable cooking stoves and 
lanterns is limited to frontcountry campground permit holders only.  
No smoking or open flames of any type will be allowed in the 
backcountry.  Smoking is permitted only in vehicles, buildings 
(designated as such), or frontcountry areas free of flammable material 
(defined as areas with a minimum of three feet diameter circle cleared 
of debris).  All visitors to the backcountry will be limited to a 
maximum stay of three nights and no undesignated site permits will be 
issued.  No off-trail or cross-country hiking is permitted.  
Watercraft are allowed only on park lakes, the Middle Fork of the 
Flathead River, and the North Fork of the Flathead River.  These 
restrictions are being imposed as a precaution in the event that fire 
related closures and evacuations are necessary. Despite these 
restrictions, the park remains open. For more information on Glacier 
NP fire activity and restrictions, please check the park's website: 
www.nps.gov/glac/resources/fires.htm.

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

OUTLOOK

NICC has issued a FIRE WEATHER WATCH for strong west winds and low 
relative humidity for the east slopes of the northern Rockies.

A disturbance pushing through the Northern Rockies will bring some 
strong west winds to the east slopes.  Drier and more stable air will 
move into Washington, Oregon and Idaho behind yesterday's weather 
system.  Further south, monsoon moisture moving northward will bring 
scattered wet thunderstorms to Wyoming, Nevada, and the Four Corners 
states.  

Winds will generally be upslope or southwest at speeds under 20 mph, 
with stronger gusts near thunderstorms.

Temperatures will be in the 70's to mid 80's in the mountains, and the 
mid 80's to 90's at lower elevations.  Desert areas will see 
temperatures from 100 to 110.  Minimum relative humidities will be in 
the teens and 20's, with some single digit readings occurring in the 
driest areas.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 8/25; Public Affairs, 
GLAC, 8/23-24]

CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Reports pending.

INTERPRETATION AND VISITOR SERVICES

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

NPS Homepages - A new update system and design for all park homepages 
is being introduced today. The new system is called "Park Profiles" 
and is the result of many months of work in WASO and the field. The 
new design will enable all parks to participate on www.nps.gov without 
having to have computer wiz's on their staffs. More information can be 
found at www.nps.gov/helpdesk or by contacting webmaster Steve 
Pittleman at 202-565-1053 or via cc:Mail.

MEMORANDA

"Annual Fee Free Day," signed on August 7th by acting Director Denis 
Galvin and sent to all regional directors and superintendents. The 
full text follows:

"All park units that collect an admission fee will honor the Annual 
Fee Free Day this year on Founder's Day, August 25, 2000.  Whether a 
park is collecting the admission fee under the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund Act or collecting an admission fee under the 
Recreational Fee Demonstration Program, the National Park Service 
invites the public to visit the parks at no charge.  Please extend a 
warm welcome to all visitors on this 84th anniversary of the 
establishment of the National Park Service.

"Recreation use fees charged for other than admission, i.e., camping, 
cave tours, daily use of a specialized site, and interpretive 
activities will remain in effect.  Please refer to NPS-22, Amendment 
1, 1991, Chapter 3, page 4 for further guidance."

INTERCHANGE

No submissions.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Denali NP&P - The park is recruiting for a GS-0334-11/12 computer 
specialist. The announcement can be found on USA Jobs. The position is 
supervisory; the incumbent serves as the park's network administrator. 
Housing is available. For more information, contact Julie Wilkerson at 
NP-DENA.

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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