NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Monday, September 25, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1780, "over-mountain men" gathered under Colonels 
Charles McDowell, John Sevier, Isaac Shelby, and William Campbell at 
Sycamore Shoals on the Watauga River in present-day Tennessee for 
their march to victory over loyalist troops in the Battle of Kings 
Mountain.  Kings Mountain National Military Park, South Carolina, 
preserves the Revolutionary War battlefield.

INCIDENTS

00-604 - Big Bend NP (TX) - Shooting Incident Investigation

On September 21st, a visitor told rangers that he'd been fired upon by 
a man with a rifle while hiking about a mile north of the K-Bar Ranch. 
The shooter was described as a member of a group of five people hiking 
cross-country, two of whom were carrying large backpacks. A major 
search was begun which involved 13 park personnel, 18 Border Patrol 
agents (including a special response team), two Customs Citation jets 
with infrared equipment, and two Border Patrol aircraft, one with 
night vision equipment. Ranger Nick Herring was overall incident 
commander. Rangers, Border Patrol trackers and a Border Patrol 
helicopter checked the area of the alleged shooting at first light on 
September 22nd. The visitor was asked to help put the trackers on the 
trail by identifying the spot where he'd seen the five people. A 
thorough investigation was made, but no physical evidence was found to 
indicate the presence of anyone in the area. The subsequent 
investigation and interviews with the visitor led to serious doubts 
about the veracity of his report. During one of the interviews, the 
man suffered a panic attack, requiring assistance from a ranger/park 
medic. He refused further medical treatment once stabilized. A joint 
NPS-FBI investigation continues. [Mark Spier, Acting CR, BIBE, 9/22]

00-605 - Lake Roosevelt NRA (WA) - Multiple Felony Arrests

Ranger Beth Lariviere contacted a man in the woods near the Rickey 
Point cabin on the evening of September 8th. The man gave her false 
identification, but was later identified as C.E., a convicted 
felon with a current felony warrant out against him. Lariviere 
returned to the area and found a stolen vehicle near the lake's edge. 
She asked for backup, and officers from Stevens County and Kettle 
Falls City responded. Although the vehicle's identification number had 
been removed, it fit the description of a car that had been stolen in 
nearby Ferry county. Lariviere directed the officers to a house where 
she believed C.E. lived. While searching for him, the officers found 
a meth lab, an indoor marijuana growing operation, and a number of 
stolen items. Two people were arrested, but C.E. was not found. On 
September 11th, C.E. was apprehended after a high-speed chase 
involving park rangers and officers from Stevens County, Kettle Falls 
City and the Washington State Patrol. The chase ended when C.E. car 
struck a park patrol vehicle operated by ranger Gig LeBret. He was not 
injured. On September 12th, a fourth person, identified as the 
"cooker" for the meth lab, was arrested in Ferry County when he showed 
up for arraignment on a previous meth lab charge. Rangers Bernie 
Merritt and Brandy Wittwer assisted in the incident. [Gig LeBret, DR, 
North District, LARO, 9/14]

00-606 - Lassen Volcanic NP (CA) - Special Event

The remains of Ishi, the last known member of the Yahi tribe, were 
returned to the park on September 16th. Ishi died in 1916; portions of 
his remains, sent to the Smithsonian, were only recently discovered. 
They were returned to the Redding Rancheria and Pit River tribes, who 
have ancestral links to the Yahi tribe. Ishi's remains were interred 
at an undisclosed location outside the park. Approximately 300 Native 
Americans from throughout California celebrated the return of his 
remains with speeches, sharing of food, and traditional dancing. The 
event was managed by the park's Type III incident management team. 
There were no incidents. [Mike LaLone, IC, LAVO, 9/17]

00-607 - North Cascades NP (CA) - Illegal Immigrant Arrested

On September 12th, rangers arrested M.Z., a citizen of the 
Czech Republic, for attempting to illegally enter the United States 
via the park's East Bank Trail. M.Z.'s companion, D.M. of 
Lynnwood, Illinois, was arrested for assisting him. The Border Patrol 
seized Miller's 1999 Chevy Tahoe. [Pete Cowan, CR, NOCA, 9/15]

                    [Additional reports pending....]

FIRE SITUATION

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level III

CURRENT SITUATION

One new large fire was reported in the eastern Great Basin yesterday. 
Another five were contained. Initial attack was light in all areas.

Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Oregon, Arizona, 
Arkansas, California, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas

The following resources were committed nationwide as of yesterday 
(changes from last Thursday's numbers in parentheses): 72 crews 
(- 74), 809 overhead (- 228), 112 engines (- 337), and 33 helicopters 
(- 32).

NPS AND NPS-RELATED FIRES

No reports.

OUTLOOK

NICC has issued a FIRE WEATHER WATCH for strong north winds in south 
Texas.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 9/25]

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

Washington Office (D.C.) - The announcement is now out for the 
2001-2002 Bevinetto Fellowship. It is listed as a GS-0301-12/13 
legislative affairs specialist, NPS WASO-00-082, and closes on October 
6th.  This is a two-year developmental opportunity for individuals 
interested in the legislative process and how Congress works.  
Interested persons must submit applications to their servicing 
personnel offices.  Applications will be paneled at each region and 
WASO.  One candidate from each region will be forwarded to WASO for 
consideration.  The person selected will begin his/her fellowship in 
late January. If you have questions, contact Adele Singer at 
202-208-5574.  (Elaine Hackett, Congressional Liaison Specialist, 
WASO)

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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