NPS Morning Report - Saturday, August 25, 2001



                        NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Saturday, August 25, 2001

INCIDENTS

01-422 - Curecanti NRA (CO) - Follow-up: Search, Drowning

The search for a 21-year-old North Carolina man that began at midnight 
on August 4th came to a conclusion on August 11th when a Crested Butte 
SAR search dog and NPS staff discovered a body floating near the shore 
of the lake just north of the Lake City bridge. It's believed to be 
the body of a Western State College student who reportedly jumped into 
Blue Mesa reservoir from the bridge while attending a beach party. The 
preliminary autopsy report indicates that he drowned. The IC for the 
SAR mission was acting DR Ned Kelleher. [Linda Alick, CR, CURE, 8/20]

01-464 - Statue of Liberty NM (NY) - Follow-up: Parasailing Arrest

T.D. was arraigned in federal district court on Thursday on 
charges of trespassing, climbing, illegal air delivery and disorderly 
conduct. He was released into the custody of his attorney on $10,000 
bond and ordered to surrender his travel documents pending trail. The 
continuing investigation has revealed that T.D. was also detained 
and charged with trespassing in 1993 for entry into a prohibited area 
(the torch corridor). At that time, he had photographs and notes in 
his possession, and was likely on an intelligence-gathering mission 
for his 1994 bungee jumping attempt - which was foiled. [Lt. John 
Marigliano, USPP, GATE, 8/24]

01-469 - Yellowstone NP (WY) - Thermal Burn

Visitor R.L., 53, of Crestline, California, received second 
degree burns to his left foot, ankle, and lower leg while hiking in a 
backcountry thermal area in the Old Faithful area on the morning of 
August 19th. R.L., his wife, and their grandchildren were walking in 
Pocket Basin, a backcountry thermal area in the Lower Geyser Basin 
along the Firehole River. About a quarter of a mile into the walk, 
R.L. left the established trail to walk to a small pond, stepping 
into a muddy area near the pond. The muddy area was actually a steam 
vent that had become covered with organic debris after it was exposed 
because of low water levels (the vent is usually covered by the pond). 
The temperature measured in R.L.'s footprint was 192°F. R.L. was 
able to walk out of the area on his own and was taken by his family to 
the Old Faithful Clinic, where he was treated for second degree burns 
and released. He returned to the clinic the following day for 
additional treatment. He was referred to the Bozeman Deaconess 
Hospital in Montana for additional care. [Public Affairs, YELL, 8/24]

01-470 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Search for Missing Hikers

On the evening of August 18th, SAR shift ranger Hunter Bailey was 
notified that two hikers were ten days overdue from a hike in the 
Grand Canyon. Long-time Grand Canyon hiker G.L.M., 46, 
and his hiking companion, L.B., 51, were due back home in 
Flagstaff on August 8th. L.B.'s adult son notified the park of the 
situation. In addition to extensive investigative efforts, a search 
was launched on the morning of August 19th. NPS and Coconino County 
Sheriff's Department search personnel aboard the park's helicopter 
located G.L.M.'s vehicle at the Salt Trail Canyon trailhead; a 
campsite with the missing pair's equipment was subsequently located at 
the Salt Trail Canyon confluence with the Little Colorado River. Both 
locations are on the Navajo Indian Reservation, four miles from the 
park boundary. Search efforts have been hampered by ongoing monsoon 
storms in northern Arizona and by the remoteness of the search area. 
The Little Colorado River, which is the longest undammed river in 
Arizona, has been running at flood levels. USGS personnel have 
assisted in evaluating local stream flow data, which indicates that a 
flash flood on the afternoon of August 7th passed by couple's last 
known point on the Little Colorado River. Park personnel on a river 
patrol trip within ten miles of the search area experienced very heavy 
rain and later saw significant flash flood debris at the Little 
Colorado River confluence with the Colorado River. George G.L.M. is 
well know to park staff and search personnel as an avid Grand Canyon 
hiker and professional photographer, who over the past two decades has 
specialized in photographs of the inner canyon. Due to G.L.M.'s local 
notoriety, media interest has been high. Last year, park staff 
conducted a search for G.L.M. when he was several days overdue 
following an itinerary within the park. G.L.M. was located after he 
had hitched a ride downriver with a commercial river trip.  The 
incident is being managed under unified command with the Coconino 
County Sheriff's Department. [Ken Phillips, NPS IC, GRCA, 8/22]

01-471 - Fort Union Trading Post NHS (ND) - Special Event

On August 18th, the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold 
Reservation and the Assiniboine/Sioux of the Fort Peck Reservation 
commemorated the signing of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851at an event 
held in the park. The special event specifically commemorated the 
gathering of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara and Assiniboine 
representatives at Fort Union for their trek under Father John Peter 
DeSmet and Alexander McKenzie to Fort Laramie in present-day Wyoming. 
The 1851 treaty is significant because it was the first treaty among 
the tribes on the upper Missouri. Of all the treaties on the northern 
Great Plains, this treaty provided the most land for the native 
tribes. Subsequent treaties reduced the land allotted to the tribes, 
but the 1851 treaty is the basis for Indian land claims. In return for 
allowing white settlers to travel the "Great Platte River Road" 
(Oregon Trail), the treaty identified boundaries for each tribe, 
required the Indians to refrain from inter-tribal warfare, provided 
annuities to the tribes for 50 years (later reduced to 15 years by 
Congress), and committed the U.S. to paying for depredations by 
settlers. This 1851 Fort Laramie Treaty is a significant oral history 
story, handed down through generations of Indian families. 
Commemorative speeches and drum and dance performances were 
interspersed throughout the afternoon under a large tent that was 
erected outside the north gate of the trading post.  Trenton Indian 
Service of Trenton, North Dakota, provided an evening meal for the 
participants. Approximately 1200 people observed the commemoration. 
[Randy Kane and Andy Banta, FOUS, 8/22]

01-472 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Falling Fatality

Three Spanish climbers saw a person fall from the top of Half Dome and 
hit the ground about 250 feet from their position around 6:30 a.m. on 
August 17th. They then descended to Yosemite Valley and reported the 
incident around 9:30 a.m. The park's SAR and helitack teams and a 
special agent flew to the area, investigated, and recovered the body. 
No identification was found on the victim, and he remained 
unidentified until his fingerprints were matched to a 24-year-old 
Santa Clara man on August 21st. The death is being investigated as a 
possible suicide. [Dan Horner, SA, YOSE, 8/23]

                   [Additional reports pending....]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

National Fire Situation - Preparedness Level 5

Two new large fires were reported yesterday; three others were 
contained. Initial attack was moderate in southern California and 
light elsewhere. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in 
California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, 
Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

NICC has not posted any fire watches or warnings for today.

For the full NICC report, see http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf.

National Resource Status (Five Day Trend)

                        Tue     Wed     Thu     Fri     Sat
Date                    8/21    8/22    8/23    8/24    8/25
        
Crews                   805     809     788     658     636
Engines                 1,299   1,289   1,171   854     777
Helicopters             93      239     217     199     205
Air Tankers             3       2       2       1       5
Overhead                4,785   5,028   5,021   4,207   4,445
Area Command IMT        1       1       1       1       1
Type 1 IMT              10      11      9       10      10
Type 2 IMT              12      11      9       8       8
State IMT               8       7       6       4       3
Fire Use Team           3       3       2       2       2

Park Fire Situation

Great Basin NP (NV) - The Granite Fire (668 acres, 75% contained, 201 
FF/OH) was active on its northeast flank, with spotting over the line 
and crowning. Extreme fire behavior and steep terrain are impeding 
containment efforts.

Yosemite NP (CA) - The Hoover Complex (5,466 acres as of Friday) is 
about five miles southeast of Glacier Point. A high pressure system 
will bring warmer conditions and lower humidity over the next several 
days, so fire activity may increase slightly. 

Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - The Swamp Ridge Fire, which is being managed 
for resource benefits, has grown to about four acres; it is being 
monitored along with the Vista Fire. 

Zion NP (UT) - The Langston Fire (250 acres) is actively backing and 
flanking. Cook's fire use team is managing this fire and the Harvey 
Fire. 

Extreme         Hawaii Volcanoes NP
Very High       Grand Teton NP
High            N/A

[Johanna Lombard, YOSE, 8/24; NPS Situation Summary Report, 8/24; NICC 
Incident Management Situation Report, 8/25]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Medical Standards Program - The email address for the WASO medical 
standards program manager has been changed to NPS Medical Standards 
Program Manager. This was done with the twin objectives of eliminating 
confusion within the Department of Interior and assuring consistency 
with other generic agency addresses, which differentiate according to 
bureau via the agency prefix. [JT Townsend, RAD/WASO]

Housing - The draft of DO-36 on housing management is out for a 60-day 
field review. A reply is due to Pat Bantner in WASO by September 7th. 
Comments are to be sent through regional housing coordinators for 
review and consolidation. The draft DO is available on the housing web 
site at www.pfmd.nps.gov/housing. This draft is significantly 
different from the previous draft, so please take the time to review 
and comment. [Pat Bantner, FMD/WASO]

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Mississippi NR&RA (MN) - AMENDED (adding relocation bonus): The park 
is advertising for a GS-12 supervisory park ranger (chief of 
interpretation). The announcement closes on September 20th. Primary 
responsibilities include long- and short-term planning, development of 
educational partnerships, and management of interpretation and visitor 
services. Also responsible for leading the park's extensive 
interpretive planning efforts, as specified in the park's management 
plan. A relocation bonus may be approved for the person selected for 
the position. Before it can be paid, the employee must sign a written 
agreement to complete a specific period of employment. Dee DOI 
Personnel Bulleting 01-02 (575; USC 5, Section 5753 and 5754; and CFR, 
Part 575. For additional details, contact Ruby Webster via email or at 
651-290-3030 ext. 241. [Ruby Webster, MISS]

Lyndon B Johnson NHP (TX) - The park is recruiting candidates from all 
sources for a newly created interdisciplinary GS-9/11 integrated 
resources program manager to oversee the park's natural and cultural 
resource management programs. The park preserves approximately 700 
acres of resources associated with 100 years of Johnson family history 
in the Texas Hill Country, and the person in this position will serve 
a vital role in the design and implementation of resource management 
efforts over the next few years. Because of the park's desire to take 
a holistic view of the natural and cultural resources represented 
here, applicants can qualify as an historian, biologist or landscape 
architect for the purposes of this announcement. Job information, 
KSA's and area information can be found on the USAJobs website. The 
announcement closes on September 10th. For more information about the 
park or the position, please contact Brian Carey, chief of resources 
management and visitor protection, at 830-868-7128 ext. 232 or Jerri 
Striegler, personnel specialist, at 830-868-7128 ext. 225. [Brian 
Carey, LYJO]

                            *  *  *  *  *

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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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