NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Monday, November 6, 2000

ALMANAC

On this date in 1944, Franklin D. Roosevelt, running for his fourth 
presidential term, broadcast his last campaign speech from his home 
office at Hyde Park, New York.  The office is displayed at Home of 
Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site.

INCIDENTS

96-35 - Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD) - Follow-up: Triple Homicide

On October 26th, a federal jury sentenced D.H. to death for 
the murders of three young women from the District of Columbia who 
were shot to death on federal land on January 27, 1996. D.H.'s
co-defendant, W.H., was sentenced to life in prison in 
September for his role in the murders. This action culminates a 
four-and-a-half year investigation by Park Police and a multi-agency 
task force into the triple murder. D.H.'s death sentence was the first 
such sentence handed down for a federal defendant in the state of 
Maryland. [Sgt. R. MacLean, USPP, NCR, 11/2]

00-683 - Fort Sumter NM (SC) - Serious Employee Injury

On the evening of Friday, October 13th, seasonal ranger B.F. was 
off-duty and driving home when another vehicle crossed the center line 
of the highway and hit his SUV. B.F. was hospitalized for four days 
with three broken bones in his right leg, ankle and foot. He underwent 
reconstructive surgery and is recovering well. He has returned to duty 
in a limited capacity. [Bill Martin, PIO, FOSU, 11/2]

00-684 - Martin Luther King, Jr. NHS (GA) - Special Event

On the weekend of October 28th, the park hosted a civil rights reunion 
weekend honoring civil rights leader Hosea Williams. The event was 
sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Council. Events 
included a civil rights symposium held in the visitor center and an 
award ceremony conducted in historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Guest 
speakers included Mrs. Coretta Scott King and Rev. Jesse Jackson. 
About 1200 people attended the weekend events. Security was provided 
by rangers. There were no significant incidents. [Clark Moore, CR, 
MALU, 11/1]

00-685 - Gateway NRA (NJ/NY) - Car Clouting Arrests

Rangers Tony Macri and Pete Tortorell investigated an auto break-in 
and theft in the park's Sandy Hook Unit on October 5th. They found 
that the passenger door lock of the vehicle had been broken and that 
the thieves had entered at that point. A credit card and $65 in cash 
were taken. The rangers processed the vehicle for evidence and began 
an investigation. A check of the credit card revealed that it had been 
used in three stores in northern New Jersey. An attempted purchase of 
$1,427 worth of goods at a beverage store had been filmed on 
surveillance tape. Three other police departments were involved in the 
investigation - all of them with similar cases with matching MO's and 
suspect descriptions. The month-long investigation concluded when four 
people were arrested after being identified in a lineup by employees 
from the stores where the card had been used. All four were part of an 
organized ring specializing in thefts from vehicles with the intent of 
obtaining credit cards. These arrests are expected to lead to the 
clearance of about 20 cases. Both state and federal complaints have 
been filed. [Thomas Lobkowicz, SHU/GATE, 11/2]

00-686 - Blue Ridge Parkway (NC/VA) - Auto Theft Arrest

On October 22nd, park dispatch received a phone call from a visitor 
who reported that he was following his own stolen car down the parkway 
in the Pisgah District. Y.G. was part of a group visiting the 
Asheville area over the weekend and was at an overlook at milepost 413 
when his car was taken. Y.G. followed in another car and advised 
dispatch. Rangers were able to orchestrate an interception, and a 
Brevard PD officer spotted and pursued the stolen car. The driver, 
V.V. of Asheville, abandoned the car and a foot chase 
ensued, culminating in  his arrest. Both state and federal charges 
will likely be filed on a variety of offenses. Kristin Fey is the case 
ranger. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 10/27]

                  [Additional reports pending....]

FIRE SITUATION

Shenandoah NP (VA) - The Shenandoah Complex (15,753 acres) consists of 
the Pinnacles Fire and the Old Rag Fire. Cooler temperatures and 
higher humidities allowed firefighters to make substantial progress on 
the two fires on Saturday. Containment lines were completed on the 
south side of the Old Rag Fire. Significant progress was made on other 
critical portions of both fires, where firefighters strengthened fire 
lines by carefully burning away fuels inside the lines. The fires were 
45% contained as of yesterday evening; full containment is expected by 
November 17th. A total of 852 overhead personnel and firefighters - 
including 24 crews - have been committed to the complex, along with 18 
engines, 13 water tenders, five bulldozers and eight aircraft. Skyline 
Drive is closed from the Thornton Gap entrance (mile 31) to Skyland 
(mile 41).  Visitors can enter the park at Thornton Gap and travel 
north to Front Royal.  Visitors can also enter the park at Swift Run 
Gap (Highway 33) and travel north as far as Skyland or south to 
Waynesboro (I-64).  The Appalachian Trail is closed in the area of the 
fire. Many other trails in the general area of the fire are closed, 
including the Limberlost Trail, which was closed on Friday. For more 
information:  Call 540/999-3311 or check the website at 
www.shenandoahfires.com [Lyn Rothgeb, SHEN, 11/4]

Big South Fork NRRA (KY/TN) - The Big South Fork Complex (6,500 acres) 
consists of the School House Fire, Poplar Springs Branch Fire, Darrow 
Ridge Fire, and Camp Branch Fire. Over a hundred firefighters under a 
Type I team from California have been fighting the fire. Containment 
efforts were aided by rain on Saturday. Status reports on individual 
fires (as of Saturday) follow:

o       School House Fire - The fire, which was reported on October 
        30th, grew to approximately 2,000 acres before it was declared 
        contained.  Firefighters were successful in saving the 
        residences located near Laurel Ridge Road. A series of 
        backfires was used to strengthen the lines, resulting in 
        containment on November 1st.  The fire line was completed 
        Friday, and fire crews are conducting mop up activities.   The 
        burn area continues to be closed to visitors.
o       Camp Branch Fire - Reported on the evening of November 1st, 
        this fire is estimated at 1,100 acres.  The fire originated 
        outside the park boundary and then burned into the park. Of 
        particular concern are a number of active and abandoned gas 
        wells threatened by the fire. A 100-acre backfire was 
        completed on Friday, and more burning may take place today if 
        conditions permit.  The area has been temporarily closed to 
        visitors
o       Darrow Ridge Fire - On November 3rd, the Darrow Ridge Fire was 
        reported on private land and Tennessee state crews responded. 
        When the fire burned into the park, the state crews were 
        replaced by local National Park Service personnel and a 
        20-person hand crew from another fire within the complex. This 
        fire has burned a total of 3,400 acres on state and federal 
        land. 
o       Poplar Springs Branch Fire - This fire, which started on 
        October 30th, is not assigned to the complex. It is in the 
        Pickett State Rustic Park and Forest, adjacent to the park, 
        and threatens to burn into the park. 

Areas around the fires have been closed. There's a temporary ban on 
all open-ground fires in the park's backcountry - it applies to 
hunters, hikers and campers alike. Fires are allowed at any of the 
developed campgrounds where established fire grates exist.  For more 
information on camping and fire restrictions, call park headquarters 
at 423-569-9778. [Kris Fister, IO, IMT, 11/4]

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

Submissions pending.

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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