NPS Morning Report - Wednesday, July 18, 2001
- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Wednesday, July 18, 2001
- Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 10:11:43 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Wednesday, July 18, 2001
*** NOTICE ***
Fran Mainella was sworn in yesterday as the sixteenth director of the
National Park Service. Director Mainella had this to say: "I am
excited and inspired by the challenges that this position holds as we
work to conserve our country's precious natural and cultural
resources, and improve outdoor recreational opportunities within the
National Park System. I look forward to working with the dedicated
women and men of the National Park Service, as well as local, state
and private sector partners, to help fulfill my commitment to the
conservation and restoration of our national parks."
INCIDENTS
01-348 - New River Gorge NR (WV) - Follow-up: Flash Flooding
On July 8th, severe rains caused flash flooding throughout southern
West Virginia. Due to the impacts on the park, the Eastern IMT headed
by Bob Panko (Everglades NP) has been assigned to assist with recovery
operations. Work on stabilizing the Fayette Station day use area for
boater access has been completed. The IC, deputy IC, operations chief,
and information officer attended a meeting of the local whitewater
rafting association and shared information about how the incident is
being managed, alternative transportation routes and take-out sites,
and timetables for completion of some tasks. The team was well
received and the outfitters, though very concerned about closures of
roads and areas, showed a positive spirit of cooperation in the wake
of the flood. All await the report of the Federal Highway
Administration inspectors, due to arrive today. Priorities for repair
are the NPS bridge over Wolf Creek at Fayette Station and the severely
cracked and apparently unstable Cunard Road. There are still some
stranded vehicles, including one rafting outfitter's bus, in the
Cunard area. River patrol rangers report that trash in the New River
is not as big a problem as expected, but that there are pockets which
need cleanup. Fuel oil and propane tanks dislodged by the flood may
pose a significant safety hazard. Results from yesterday's water
quality testing should be received by the end of the week. Although
some park facilities are inaccessible by road, such as comfort
stations and picnic areas along the river, they are open and are still
being used by boaters. River patrol rangers are helping maintain these
areas. Minor trail rehab is progressing and a few more trails have
been reopened. Media attention is increasing. The weather forecast
includes a good chance of showers and thunderstorms until the weekend.
The IMT would like to thank all who responded to the call for
technical specialists to serve on the natural and cultural resource
damage assessment team. The team has been formed and some members will
arrive as early as today. An aerial reconnaissance utilizing a
GPS-enabled digital camera is scheduled for Friday. [Kent Cave, IO,
New River Gorge Flood Incident, 7/17]
[Additional reports pending....]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Fire Situation - Preparedness Level II
Four new large fires were reported yesterday - one each in Colorado,
Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Idaho. Initial attack was moderate in the
South and light elsewhere. Very high to extreme fire indices were
reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon,
Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Several preliminary findings have been identified by the federal team
investigating the July 10th deaths of four Forest Service employees
in the Thirtymile Fire. The investigation focuses on the initial hours
of the fire, which trapped and overran 14 firefighters and two
civilians in a steep, narrow canyon along the Chewuck River in the
Okanogan National Forest. In addition to the fatalities, four other
crewmembers and the two civilians were injured.
The investigation team, headed by Jim Furnish, deputy chief of the
Forest Service's national forest system, has reported a number of
initial findings which will aid in the team's development of
recommendations to improve wildland firefighting safety:
o The 14 members of the 21-person fire crew were trapped after
attempting to extinguish a spot fire adjacent to a road ahead
of an uncontrolled fire. The other seven crew members were
working as a separate squad in a nearby area.
o A total of 14 shelters were deployed, one of them sheltering
one fire crew member and the two civilians. Ten crewmembers
and the two civilians survived. Six of them, including the two
civilians, were injured.
o Four members of the fire crew deployed shelters about 100 feet
upslope from the road, another deployed at an unknown distance
upslope from them. Remaining crewmembers and the two civilians
deployed shelters on the road.
o After the initial deployment, some of the group relocated to
the river. The civilians' vehicle was destroyed by fire. The
Forest Service vehicle sustained damage, but was driveable.
o There was no significant wind or frontal weather event
associated with the dramatic change in fire behavior. The
prolonged drought, high temperatures and low humidity combined
with the very dry forest fuels to create an explosive, high
intensity fire.
o The initial crew assignment was reinforcement for completing
containment lines and mop-up.
o The fire increased to active behavior during the early
afternoon of July 10th.
o After realizing entrapment was imminent, the crew took
position in a suitable deployment area.
o The crew had adequate time to prepare and deploy shelters.
o Preliminary autopsy reports show cause of death was inhalation
of superheated air.
o Radio communication was not a contributing factor.
o The fire was located in a steep canyon, with a variety of fuel
conditions and fuel loadings (mixed conifer and riparian). The
energy release component was approaching maximum levels for
this time of year.
The investigation team began its work on July 12th. The initial
findings are based on investigations of the accident area and
interviews with surviving fire crew members and others associated with
the crew's fire suppression activities on July 9th and 10th.
Additional findings will be developed in order to explain and fully
understand the entrapment and shelter deployment. The investigation
team hopes to complete its interview and information-gathering phase
later this week, with the analysis and assessment steps expected to
result in a draft report and recommendations in early August.
Many people have asked how they can send cards and condolences to the
families of the firefighters. The Forest Service has asked that they
be sent to: Naches Ranger District, 10061 Hwy 12, Naches, Washington
98937, Attn: District Ranger, Randy Shepard. Those who would like to
donate to the memorial fund set up for the fallen firefighters may
send contributions to: Okanogan-Wenatchee Firefighters' Memorial Fund,
c/o Yakima Valley Credit Union, PO Box 2922, Yakima, WA 98907
(800-347-9222; 509-248-1720). Memorials for Tom Craven may be sent in
the name of Evelyn Craven to Pacific Northwest Bank, Ellensburg
Branch, P.O. Box 978, Ellensburg WA 98926.
The full NICC situation report can be found at
http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf.
National Resource Status (Five Day Trend)
Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
Date 7/14 7/15 7/16 7/17 7/18
Crews 194 231 238 212 192
Engines 441 489 462 351 333
Helicopters 56 77 79 69 60
Air Tankers 1 3 6 4 2
Overhead 962 1,128 1,291 1,263 1,136
Park Fire Situation
No new fires reported.
Park Fire Danger
Extreme Hawaii Volcanoes NP
Very High North Cascades NP, Joshua Tree NP, Sequoia and Kings
Canyon NPs, Carlsbad Caverns NP, Guadalupe Mountains
NP
High Lassen Volcanic NP, Dinosaur NM, Rocky Mountain NP
["Intermountain Morning Line," 7/17; Paul Broyles and Sue Vap, FMPC,
7/17; NPS Situation Summary Report, 7/16; NICC Incident Management
Situation Report, 7/17]
CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Fort Sumter NM (SC) - Whale Beaching
On the morning of Friday, July 6th, a nine-foot-long pygmy sperm whale
was spotted attempting to beach itself on Folly Beach, an island near
Fort Sumter. Employees of the South Carolina Department of Natural
Resources tracked the whale all day. By 5 p.m. the whale had fully
beached itself at Fort Sumter. Ranger Chris Mekow assisted the DNR
employees. The whale had suffered multiple abrasions and was
hemorrhaging from several lacerations. The attending DNR veterinarian
decided to euthanize the whale, and turn it over to the National
Marine Fisheries for a necropsy. The necropsy showed the whale to have
been pregnant, and would have given birth in approximately one month.
There were no obvious indications of why the whale beached herself.
(Bill Martin, PIO)
OPERATIONAL NOTES
FLETC Notes - NPS-FLETC reports two matters of consequence to the
field:
o Joe Johnson, who has served as the NPS firearms program
manager, has taken a position in the FLETC Firearms Division
as an instructor. Program manager duties have accordingly been
transferred to Bob Reid. Any firearm program issues,
questions or requests should be directed to him at
912-261-3758 or bob_reid@nps.gov. Other contacts are:
Jennifer Martin, firearms program assistant, 912-267-3554,
jennifer_martin@nps.gov, and Bruce Hasson, armorer,
912-261-3762, bruce_hasson@nps.gov.
o NPS FLETC is now ready to receive the law enforcement ranger
commission files as required by RM-9. Regional offices should
send their files to: Federal Law Enforcement Training Center,
National Park Service, Building 64, GLYNCO, GA. 31524
Attention: Jennifer Martin.
[Dennis Burnett, RAD/WASO]
UPCOMING IN CONGRESS
The following activities will be taking place in Congress during
coming weeks on matters pertaining to the National Park Service or
kindred agencies.
For inquiries regarding legislation pertaining to the NPS, please
contact the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs at
202-208-5883/5656 and ask to be forwarded to the appropriate
legislative specialist. For additional information on specific bills
(full text, status, etc.), please check Congress's web site at
http://thomas.loc.gov/.
HEARINGS/MARK-UPS
Tuesday, July 17th - 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth
House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public
Lands (Hefley): Hearing on:
o H.R. 1518 (Simmons, CT), a bill to require the Secretary of
the Interior to include on the National Register of Historic
Places the Avery Point Lighthouse in Groton, Connecticut, and
provide $200,000 for the restoration of that lighthouse.
o H.R. 1776 (Green, TX), a bill to authorize the Secretary of
the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of
establishing the Buffalo Bayou National Heritage Area in west
Houston, Texas.
o H.R. 2114 (Simpson, ID), a bill to amend the Antiquities Act
regarding the establishment by the President of certain
national monuments and to provide for public participation in
the proclamation of national monuments.
Tuesday, July 17th - 2:30 p.m., 366 Dirksen
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks,
Historic Preservation, and Recreation (Akaka): Hearing on:
o S. 281 (Hagel, NE), a bill to authorize the design and
construction of a temporary education center at the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial.
o S. 386/H.R. 146 (Pascell, NJ), a bill to authorize the
Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and
feasibility of designating the Great Falls Historic District
in Paterson, New Jersey, as a unit of the National Park
System, and for other purposes.
o S. 513 (Dodd, CT)/ H.R. 182 (Simmons, CT), a bill to amend the
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by designating a segment of the
Eightmile River in Connecticut for potential addition to the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other
purposes.
o H.R. 1000 (Portman, OH), a bill to adjust the boundary of the
William Howard Taft National Historic Site in the state of
Ohio, to authorize an exchange of land in connection with the
historic site, and for other purposes.
o S. 1097 (Thompson, TN), a bill to authorize the Secretary of
the Interior to issue right-of-way permits for natural gas
pipelines within the boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park.
Tuesday, July 24th - Location TBA
House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public
Lands (Hefley): Hearing on:
o H.R. 1814 (Olver, MA), a bill to amend the National Trails
System Act to designate the Metacomet-Monadnock-Sunapee-
Mattabesett Trail extending through western New Hampshire,
western Massachusetts, and central Connecticut for study for
potential addition to the National Trails System.
o H.R. 1456 (Goode, VA), a bill to expand the boundary of the
Booker T. Washington National Monument, and for other
purposes.
Thursday, July 26th - 366 Dirksen
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Bingaman): Hearing on:
o S. 817 (Domenici, NM), a bill to amend the National Trails
System Act to designate the Old Spanish Trail as a National
Historic Trail.
o S. 423 (Wyden, OR), a bill to amend the Act entitled "An Act
to provide for the establishment of Fort Clatsop National
Memorial in the State of Oregon, and for other purposes".
o H.R. 640, a bill to adjust boundaries at Santa Monica
Mountains NRA.
o S. 941 (Feinstein, CA), a bill to revise the boundaries of
Golden Gate NRA in California, to extend the term of the
advisory commission, and for other purposes.
o S. 1057 (Akaka, HI), a bill to authorize the addition of lands
to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park in the State
of Hawaii, and for other purposes.
o S. 1105 (Thomas, WY), a bill to provide for the expeditious
completion of the acquisition of State of Wyoming lands within
the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park, and for other
purposes.
Thursday, July 26th - 2 p.m., 1334 Longworth
House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public
Lands (Hefley): Hearing on:
o H.R. 2385 (Hansen, UT), a bill to convey certain property to
the city of St. George, Utah, in order to provide for the
protection and preservation of certain rare paleontological
resources on that property, and for other purposes.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
The following bills either directly or indirectly pertaining to the
NPS have been introduced since the last Morning Report listing of new
legislation (July 10th):
o H.R. 2371 (Baldacci, ME), a bill to authorize the transfer and
conveyance of real property at the Naval Security Group
Activity, Winter Harbor, Maine, and for other purposes.
o H.R. 2385 (Hansen, UT), a bill to convey certain property to
the city of St. George, Utah, in order to provide for the
protection and preservation of certain rare paleontological
resources on that property, and for other purposes.
o H.R. 2440 (Davis, VA), a bill to rename Wolf Trap Farm Park as
``Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts'', and for
other purposes.
o H.R. 2452 (Simmons, CT), a bill to amend the Quinebaug and
Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Act of 1994
to provide for implementation of the management plan for the
corridor to protect resources critical to maintaining and
interpreting the distinctive character of the Quinebaug and
Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor.
o S. 1151 (Reid, NV), a bill to amend the method for achieving
quiet technology specified in the National Parks Air Tour
Management Act of 2000.
o S. 1175 (Lott, MS), a bill to modify the boundary of Vicksburg
National Military Park to include the property known as
Pemberton's Headquarters, and for other purposes.
NEW LAWS
The following bills have passed Congress and been signed into law by
the President:
No new laws.
* * * * *
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Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the
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