NPS Morning Report - Friday, August 31, 2001
- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Friday, August 31, 2001
- Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 09:48:52 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Friday, August 31, 2001
INCIDENTS
00-093 - New River Gorge NR (WV) - Follow-up: Arson Fire
A portion of the Sandstone Falls boardwalk was burned around 2:30 a.m.
on March 14, 2000. The fire destroyed a 30-foot section of boardwalk,
including an information kiosk and displays. Repair costs for
replacement of the boardwalk and the information kiosk came to
$10,409.73. Beginning with very little physical evidence or
information, rangers Charles Mitchem and Dennis Weiland, who recently
transferred to Lake Meredith NRA, began an investigation into the
incident. Over the course of several weeks, they were able to identify
several witnesses who were at the boardwalk at the time of the fire.
Through their investigation, they were able to determine that D.M.,
22, and T.J., 26, both from Shady Spring, West
Virginia, intentionally started the fire. Rangers also learned that a
cigarette lighter had been used to ignite the Plexiglas covering the
bulletin board panel, and that the fire went out on its own at one
point and was re-lit by T.J. and D.M.. Earlier this month, both
defendants were convicted of conspiracy to commit an offense against
the United States (18 USC 371). D.M. received a sentence of 41
months in a federal prison and three years' supervised probation after
release from prison; T.J. received a sentence of 60 months in a
federal prison and three years' supervised probation after release
from prison. Both individuals were also ordered to pay restitution in
the amount of $10,409.73. [Rick Brown, ACR/Operations, NERI, 8/27]
01-480 - Colonial NHP (VA) - Pursuit; Arrest
Ranger Steve Williams was patrolling the Colonial Parkway near
kilometer three outside of Yorktown on August 26th when he saw a
vehicle passing other vehicles in a no passing zone and clocked it at
83 mph in a 45 mph zone. Williams attempted to stop the vehicle, but
the driver declined to do so. It exited the parkway onto State Route
17 southbound, made a U-turn, then headed north on the highway. It
went over the Coleman Bridge (which crosses the York River) at a high
rate of speed and continued through the toll plaza, striking the arm
that prevents vehicles from passing the toll without paying. The
pursuit continued into Gloucester County and ended in a residential
neighborhood. Williams ordered the driver to exit his vehicle, but he
refused, stating that he did not have to follow Williams' orders.
Williams drew his service weapon, approached the vehicle, and took the
driver - R.B. - into custody. R.B. was charged with DUI,
DUI refusal, a passing violation, speeding, and reckless driving. He
was taken to a regional jail and appeared before a federal magistrate
on August 27th, where he was placed on $75,000 secured bond. Virginia
State Police investigated the accident with the toll plaza and charged
R.B. with the accident, failure to pay the toll, and leaving the
scene of an accident. [Hiram Barber, ACR, COLO, 8/28]
01-481 - Redwood N&SP (CA) - Poaching Arrest
On August 25th, gunshots were heard by a Schoolhouse Peak Fire Lookout
employee who contacted rangers. The responding ranger discovered an
unoccupied vehicle containing a rifle, ammunition and alcohol. A
34-year-old woman from Nevada later approached the ranger from an
adjacent hillside and claimed to be the vehicle's owner. She was
unable to adequately explain why her clothing was covered with blood.
The ranger suspected that another person, possibly armed, was still
down the hillside. Other state and national park rangers arrived and a
perimeter was established along Bald Hill Road. Rangers used a PA
system to persuade a 48-year-old Nevada man to come out from nearby
woods. The woman admitted to killing an elk cow, which the pair were
field dressing when the first ranger arrived. She said that she was
the ex-wife of a tribal member from a nearby reservation, that she
believed she was still on reservation property, and that she was
hoping to bring some elk meat to her ex-father-in-law. Rangers and the
U.S. Attorneys Office are pursuing numerous poaching, weapons,
interference, alcohol, controlled substance, vehicle code, and Lacey
Act violations. [David Barland-Liles, PR, REDW, 8/30]
01-482 - Colonial NHP (VA) - Special Event
On the evening of Saturday, August 25th, the park hosted a performance
by the Virginia Symphony at the Yorktown Victory Monument. A crowd of
4,000 people attended the concert, entitled "The Great Outdoors" in
honor of the Service's 85th birthday. All music was themed to the
outdoors, including selections from Ferde Grofe's "Grand Canyon
Suite." [Mike Litterst, PAO, COLO, 8/27]
[Additional reports pending....]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Fire Situation - Preparedness Level 5
One new large fire was reported in the northern Rockies yesterday;
another two fires were contained. Initial attack activity was moderate
in the Rockies and eastern Great Basin and light elsewhere.
Very high to extreme fire danger was reported in Arizona, California,
Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah,
Washington and Wyoming.
NICC has posted a FIRE WEATHER WATCH today for gusty winds, low
relative humidity and dry lightning in the northern Rockies.
For the full NICC report, see http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf.
National Resource Status (Five Day Trend)
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
Date 8/27 8/28 8/29 8/30 8/31
Crews 632 573 580 473 483
Engines 607 594 627 604 575
Helicopters 196 187 163 165 150
Air Tankers 6 5 5 1 1
Overhead 4,672 4,968 3,929 4,349 3,805
Area Command Teams 1 1 1 2 2
Type 1 IMT 8 6 8 6 5
Type 2 IMT 9 8 5 7 7
State IMT 1 0 0 0 1
Fire Use Team 2 1 1 2 2
Park Fire Situation
Glacier NP (MT) - The Moose fire is (17,100 acres, 5% contained, Type
1 team w/635 FF/OH committed) continues to burn actively near the
park. One residence has been evacuated, and residents in 15 others
have been notified that they may have to leave as well. Satisfactory
progress was made on the south end of the fire with bulldozers. The
fire is burning actively and crowning. The park will hold a meeting
with local residents this evening at 7 p.m. in the West Glacier
Community Building to provide updates on the fire.
Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Gary Cones' interagency fire use team is
managing three lightning-caused fires on the North Rim for resource
benefits. The Vista fire (1,122 acres) has been active in interior
sections, but there's been no new growth on the perimeter. The Swamp
Ridge fire (113 acres) and Tower fire (.1 acre) remain active. Crews
have completed prep work to protect cultural resources at Swamp and
Castle Lakes. Prep work is also progressing for a possible burnout
along the park's boundary with the Kaibab National Forest. The
backcountry office has been working with permit holders to reroute
trips from the Powell Plateau to other areas. Fire behavior and smoke
dispersal are being monitored to ensure that air quality standards are
not exceeded. Short-term smoke impacts are expected to continue during
the late evening and early morning hours along the river corridor.
Yellowstone NP (WY) - The Yellowstone Parkwide Complex consists of the
following fires:
o Falcon Fire (3,530 acres; 900 within the park) - Relatively
little activity was evident yesterday. Some heat still remains
on the west and south flanks, but no fire spread was observed.
The fire continues to skunk around in unburned fuels within
the perimeter on the east flank, and one finger was observed
burning out in the willow/sedge valley bottom towards the west
bank of the Yellowstone River. The north flank was relatively
cold.
o Sulphur Fire (700 acres) - All flanks of the fire were again
active on Thursday. There was some spread to the northeast,
mostly by isolated torching and spotting ahead of the fire.
Expansion on the east flank was mostly due to continued
backing downslope. The west flank similarly increased by
spotting out as well. One spot fire a half mile to the
northeast of the main body became active again, but activity
was mainly confined to the ground fuels.
o Little Joe Fire (789; 150 within the park) - Pockets of heat
were observed on the east side of Deaf Jim Knob. Otherwise,
little activity was observed. Scattered spots were smoking on
the steep slopes inside the park boundary.
o Stone Fire (116 acres) - Little activity was observed
yesterday. Two light smokes were observed on the west flank,
and one larger smoke were seen on the northeast flank in the
old 1981 burn. No flames were visible from the air on any of
the smokes.
The potential for new starts exists, given lightning that was observed
beginning at 4 p.m. yesterday afternoon. About a dozen strikes were
observed in the extreme northwest corner of the park, and more were
expected to hit throughout the evening.
Yosemite NP (CA) - The Hoover Fire (7,316 acres) and the remaining
four fires in the Hoover Complex are being managed for resource
benefits. Smoke from several fires throughout the Sierra continues to
settle into Yosemite Valley during the late evening and morning hours.
Visitors with cardiac or respiratory problems have been advised to use
caution; all visitors have been encouraged to limit physical activity
while smoke is dense. The Buena Vista trail remains closed from the
Mono Meadow junction to Buena Vista Lake. The Illilouette Creek trail
is closed from the junction below Mount Starr King to Merced Pass
Lakes. The park and all park roads are open. All park campgrounds on
the reservation system are full throughout the weekend. There are a
limited number of sites available in the first-come, first-served
campgrounds. Visitors are asked to inquire at camp ground offices
regarding availability. A limited number of lodging accommodations
are still available in the park. Camping and lodging may be available
in surrounding communities.
Extreme Hawaii Volcanoes NP
Very High Zion NP
High Joshua Tree NP, Redwood NP, Lake Mead NRA, Point Reyes
NS
[Donna Nemeth, GRCA, 8/30; Public Affairs, YOSE, 8/30; Roy Renkin/Doug
Wallner, YELL, 8/30; NPS Situation Summary Report, 8/30; NICC Incident
Management Situation Report, 8/31]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Independence NHP (PA) - A vacancy announcement has been issued for a
GS-11 supervisory park ranger (law enforcement) position. More than
one position may be filled from the register. The closing date is
September 17th. Duties are diverse and challenging; special events and
dignitary visits are common. Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell
are among the cultural treasures found at the site. Annual visitation
exceeds 3 million people. The park is located in center-city
Philadelphia, and all of the amenities associated with city life are
present. For more information about the position, please call Adam
Millington at 215-597-6051. [Joe Nicholson, INDE]
* * * * *
The Morning Report solicits entries from the field and central offices
for its daily and weekly sections (below). The general rule is that
submissions, whatever the category, should pertain to operations, be
useful to the field, and have broad significance across the agency.
Additional details on submission criteria are available from the
editor at any time (Bill Halainen at NP-DEWA, or
Bill_Halainen@nps.gov). Ask for either incident reporting criteria
(issued by WASO, June 18, 2000) or general criteria.
Daily and weekly sections are available for news or significant
developments pertaining to:
Field incidents Interpretation and visitor services
Natural resource management Cultural resource management
Operations (WASO only) Memoranda (WASO only)
Requests/offers of assistance Park-related web sites
Parks and employees Media stories on parks
Training, meetings, and events Queries on operational matters
Reports on "lessons learned"
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.
--- ### ---