NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Friday, September 1, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1877, Frederick Douglass, ex-slave, abolitionist, and 
civil rights crusader, moved to a house in the Anacostia section of 
Washington, DC, that he named Cedar Hill; he died there in 1895.  It 
is now Frederick Douglass National Historic Site.

INCIDENTS

00-543 - Southern Arizona Office (AZ) - Arrest; Impersonation of a     
         Ranger

S.K.M. was arrested in Durango, Colorado, on August 25th for 
false impersonation of a federal officer (18 USC 912) and producing 
false federal identification (18 USC 1028). The arrest and subsequent 
search warrant execution were conducted by NPS special agents, rangers 
from Mesa Verde NP, FBI agents, Forest Service officers, U.S. Marshals 
and deputies from the La Plata County Sheriff's Office. S.K.M., who 
worked as a seasonal ranger for the NPS, was using a forged NPS 
commission, wearing a uniform, and driving three different, 
fully-equipped personal law enforcement vehicles. On several occasions, 
he "badged" people in Arizona, identifying himself as an NPS ranger. He 
was carrying a concealed weapon at the time. On August 28th, he was 
released on a $10,000 bond. S.K.M. is facing the possibility of up to 
36 years in prison for his offenses. If you have any information on 
S.K.M., please contact either SA Dan Wirth or SA Susan Morton. [Dan 
Wirth, SA, SOAR, 8/28]

00-544 - Joshua Tree NP (CA) - Storm Impacts

A large storm dropped heavy rains on the central and eastern portions 
of the park on Tuesday, August 29th. The rain caused severe flash 
flooding and led to the closure of several roads, including the main 
road connecting Twentynine Palms to I-10. Park staff have spent the 
past two days clearing debris from the main park road and hope to 
reopen it tonight. [Judy Bartzatt, CR, JOTR, 8/31]

00-545 - Valley Forge NHP (PA) - Felony ARPA Arrest

While on foot patrol of the Wayne's Woods area of the park, ranger 
Steve Demske saw A.L. of Port Chester, New York, digging in 
an archeological site and in possession of a metal detector. A search 
of A.L.'s pockets and vehicle produced a number of artifacts, 
including a Revolutionary War era buckle and a British 4th Regiment 
button. A preliminary site assessment by archeologist Dave Orr put 
site damage at as much as $25,000. The investigation continues. [Scott 
Kalbach, CR, VAFO, 8/29]

00-546 - Olympic National Park (WA) - Rescue

On the afternoon of August 24th, the Kalaloch Ranger Station received 
a phone call from a concession employee stating that there were two 
people - later identified as K.S., 13, and S.H., 
37 - screaming for help in the ocean off the Kalaloch beach. 
Subdistrict ranger Keith Flanery immediately responded to verify the 
report and start organizing a rescue. Once on scene, Flanery called 
ranger Tristan Smith, asked her to bring the surf rescue gear, and told 
her to be prepared to swim. K.S. and S.H. were about 250 to 300 
yards out in the ocean; the water temperature at the time was 
approximately 58 degrees and swells were running to four feet. K.S. 
had been in the water for an hour and was already hypothermic and 
struggling to stay afloat; S.H. had gone out to save her, but had 
been unable to get back to shore herself. A third person, B.H., 
was on the beach and was hypothermic and coughing up 
seawater. Flanery called for additional rescuers, kept the pair in the 
water in sight, and began EMS on the girl on the beach.  When ranger 
Tristan Smith and maintenance employee Craig Smith arrived, they swam 
into the ocean and were assisted in the surf by rangers Jeri Riley and 
Carrie Boldosser. Park staff from the maintenance and resource 
education divisions provided needed assistance on the beach.  Smith 
swam beyond the surf to the two victims and brought K.S. and S.H. 
to shore against an out-going riptide with the help of other rescuers.  
Riley and Flanery provided EMS to all three.  K.S., who had no radial 
pulse by the time she reached the shore, was taken to Forks Hospital 
along with B.H. Every summer, rangers, maintenance 
employees, and resource educators participate in joint surf rescue 
training in preparation for such rescues. [Curt Sauer, CR, OLYM, 8/25]

00-547 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Rescue

Rangers were notified of an injured climber approximately ten pitches 
up the Regular Northwest Face route on Half Dome early on the morning 
of August 4th.  The climber, Y.-J.K. of Korea, had taken a 
ten-foot fall the previous afternoon and had an open fracture of his 
lower right leg.  Two of Y.-J.K.'s partners stayed with him while his 
other two partners rappelled off of the route to seek assistance. Two 
ranger/medics heli-rappelled from the park contract helicopter onto a 
ledge approximately 20 feet below Y.-J.K.. After upgrading his meager 
anchor system, the rangers treated Y.-J.K. and placed him in a litter. 
Shortly after noon, Y.-J.K. was short-hauled from the cliff under the park 
helicopter. The two rangers and the remaining two climbers and all 
their equipment were then hoisted off the wall by a Navy rescue 
helicopter from LeMoore Naval Air Station. [Steve Yu, IC, YOSE, 8/29]

00-548 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Probable Suicide 

On August 8th, the park received a message to be on the lookout for a 
man from Concord, California, who was suicidal and reported to be 
travelling to the Yosemite area. On August 9th, Tuolumne Meadows 
rangers found his vehicle in the Tuolumne Lodge parking lot. They 
searched the area and found his body lying next to a stream several 
hundred yards upstream from the lodge. He had died from a gunshot 
wound to the head.  The wound appeared to be self-inflicted. The case 
is being investigated by park special agents.  [Jeff Sullivan, 
Supervisory SA, YOSE, 8/29]

00-549 - Eugene O'Neill NHS (CA) - Body Found

On August 21st, a hiker found a body in a canyon immediately adjacent 
to the park. A search warrant was obtained by local police for the 
victim's house. They found and seized two M-16 rifles, two shotguns, 
numerous handguns, marijuana growing supplies, dried marijuana plants, 
and ten photos showing marijuana plants in the canyon adjacent to park 
land. An autopsy revealed that the victim died of a heart attack. 
Superintendent Glen Fuller and two regional Park Police officers 
searched the canyon with the help of a regional park district 
helicopter. They located and removed 24 plants that the victim was 
growing. [Glen Fuller, Superintendent, EUON, 8/28]

                  [Additional reports pending....]

FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level V

CURRENT SITUATION

Only two new large fires were reported yesterday; firefighters 
contained eight others. Initial attack was light almost everywhere. 
The 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines is en route to Idaho Falls and will be 
employed on the Clear Creek Complex. A trough from the Pacific will 
bring showers and chance of thunderstorms to most of western states 
today, resulting in cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity. 

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from Wednesday's numbers in parentheses): 705 crews (+ 38), 
6,331 overhead (- 880), 1,298 engines (+ 49), and 217 helicopters 
(- 9).

Very high to extreme fire danger indices were reported in Kansas, 
Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, 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

Yellowstone NP (WY) - Spruce Complex (6,425 acres, 0% containment, no 
estimated containment date, 56 FF/OH). Fire activity was moderate 
yesterday, with very little acreage increase. The Unlucky, Moose and 
Plateau Fires are being staffed with monitors to observe fire 
activity.

Theodore Roosevelt NP (ND) - Blacktail Complex (5,770 acres, 100% 
containment, 117 FF/OH). The Painted Canyon Fire was contained on the 
afternoon of August 25th; no control date has been set.  There is some 
interior activity but the lines are secure.  Activity is being 
monitored to ensure the integrity of the fire lines.  Trail closures 
for the holiday weekend are still being worked out. The Black Tail 
Fire, about 20 miles north of Medora, is contained. The crews are 
still out and mopping up.  There is some interior activity, but it is 
also being monitored. The Black Tail Complex consists of about 15 
fires between the North and South Units of the park, including the 
Grasslands.  These fires burned approximately 6,100 acres.  Most were 
natural outs, including two in the park.

Glacier NP (MT) - Sharon Fire [450 acres, 0% containment, no estimated 
containment date, 10 FF/OH]. Fire activity has been minimal. The fire 
is being monitored daily by air. A confinement strategy is in place. 
Three cabins in the area have been protected. Park Peake Fire [2,100 
acres, 75% containment, full containment expected by October 15th, 
four FF]. The fire received a tenth of an inch of rain, which helped 
moderate activity.

Grand Teton NP (WY) - Teton Complex (14,441 acres, 0% containment, no 
estimated containment date, Type II team, 428 FF/OH). Grassy Lake Road 
in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway unit reopened to day 
use yesterday.  No overnight camping will be allowed in the area 
except at Flagg Ranch Resort. Trailheads into Yellowstone from Grassy 
Lake Road remain closed, and a backcountry closure remains in effect 
for the Teton Range from Moran Canyon to the north boundary of the 
park west of Jackson Lake.  The park is strongly recommending that 
visitors not enter burned areas on foot or horseback, as some 
fire-related hazards exist, including burned snags and hot spots. 
Flagg Ranch Resort is open; all roads, lodging, stores and most 
campgrounds and trails are also open and providing regular visitor 
services and recreational opportunities.  The Snake River corridor 
from Flagg Ranch into Jackson Lake is open to river users, but 
stopping or landing along the riverbank is prohibited. The 
Bridger-Teton National Forest is open with the exception of a portion 
of the Teton Wilderness around the Enos Fire and limited closures 
surrounding active fires in the southern forest districts. All 
entrances to Yellowstone are open.

Great Basin NP/Humboldt-Toiyabe NF (NV) - Phillips Ranch Fire [2,600 
acres, 25% containment, no estimated containment date, seven FF/OH). 
Steady progress toward containment objectives was made due to 
precipitation.

Jewel Cave NM/Black Hills NF (SD) - Jasper Fire (82,600 acres, 40% 
containment, no estimated containment date, Type I team, 1,160 FF/OH). 
The fire continues to spread to the north and northwest. Line 
construction and burnout operations have been successful. Cooler 
weather with higher relative humidity have substantially aided the 
firefighting effort. Some evacuees have been allowed to return to their 
homes. Highway 16 remains closed on either side of the park. The park 
remains closed to visitors. Virtually all of the vegetation in Jewell 
Cave burned in the fire, but structures are all okay except for an old 
outhouse/shed that burned. Some employees have returned to work at the 
park; others are working on the fire or at other parks.  As of late 
Wednesday, there was still no power to facilities other than what is 
being provided by generators. Commercial power was expected back on 
line yesterday.

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

OUTLOOK

No watches or warnings have been issued today.

A Pacific trough along the west coast will bring cooler temperatures 
along with showers and thunderstorms to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, 
northern California and Nevada. A chance of showers and thunderstorms 
will continue across eastern Montana and Wyoming. Monsoonal moisture 
continues to move north and will bring thunderstorms to the higher 
elevations from the Sierras across Nevada, Utah and Wyoming southward.

Winds will be on the increase over the Northwest with winds from the 
southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts to near 30 mph. Winds will generally 
be south to southwest at 5 to 15 mph with gusts to 20 mph in the 
higher elevations.

Temperatures will generally be in the 70's to mid 80's in the 
mountains, mid 80's to 90's in the lower elevations and 100-110 in the 
hottest deserts. In the Northwest, temperatures will be in the 60's in 
the mountains and 70's in the valleys.

Relative humidity will generally be 20 to 30 percent, but in the teens 
in the driest areas.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 9/1; NPS Fire Management 
Program Center, 8/31; Beth Card, THRO, 8/31; Bill Gabbert, JECA, 8/31]

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

Pinnacles NP (CA) - The park has two positions open. The first is for 
a permanent GS-0025-11 supervisory protection ranger (PGSO-00-112-MPP, 
open governmentwide, closes September 13th). Required occupancy in a 
doublewide modular home with three bedrooms and two baths. An 
elementary school (K-8) is within 10 miles. Closest full amenities are 
in Hollister or King City, 35 miles away. The second is for a 
GS-0462-06 term, full-time supervisory forest technician 
(PGSO-00-113-DEU, closes September 12th). No housing is available at 
this time. The nearest housing is in either Hollister or King City. 
Please also note that the previously announced prescribed fire 
specialist position (PGSO-00-108-DEU/MPP) has been extended to 
September 11th. [Personnel, PINN]

U.S.S. Arizona Memorial (HI) - The park has an opening for a 
GS-0341-11 administrative officer (PISO-MP-00-27, closes September 
15th). The incumbent is one of three division chiefs at the park, 
which is located within the city of Honolulu.  There is a 25% COLA for 
this area. Very basic monthly rental costs start around $600; houses 
range from $1,000-$2,000 per month. The cost of living is considered 
extremely high.  A video showing the staff, facilities, and the 
memorial is available on loan to interested applicants.  Photos of the 
memorial and surrounding area are available through cc:Mail or the 
Internet.  Please contact the park directly for either of these items 
at 808-422-2771 ext 116, or at USAR_Personnel@nps.gov.  For more 
information contact superintendent Kathy Billings at 808-422-2771 ext 
114.  [Sandi LeFevre, USAR]

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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