NPS Morning Report - Thursday, May 9, 2002
- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Thursday, May 9, 2002
- Date: Thu, 9 May 2002 07:10:19 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Thursday, May 9, 2002
INCIDENTS
02-157 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Illegal Event
On April 29th, the Gumball 3000, a self-described "fundraiser" to benefit
the "twin towers" fund, arrived at Grand Canyon. The cross-country event,
reputedly inspired by the "Cannonball Run" and described as "the most
legendary car event ever," included destinations such as New York,
Washington, Nashville, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. During the afternoon
hours of the 29th, dozens of exotic cars began to enter the park. Many were
stopped for unsafe operation, excessive speed, open containers of alcohol,
and a variety of traffic violations. Several citations and warnings were
issued. An event check point had been established at Mather Point, creating
a traffic and visitor safety hazard. Rangers immediately closed it down and
continued to monitor event participants' activities within the park.
Leaders of the event had contacted park special uses coordinator Kirstin
Heins on several occasions regarding a special event permit, but decided
that their event didn't need one. They were told several times that a
permit was definitely required for the event to occur in the park. The
investigation continues; legal action is pending. [Mike Gardiner, South Rim
Patrol, GRCA, 5/7]
02-158 - Whiskeytown NRA (CA) - PWC Closure
The park put a ban on personal watercraft (PWC's) into effect on April
20th. Regulatory signs were installed at the park's three boat launches and
at two boat marinas on Whiskeytown Lake. PWC operators used the lake on
April 19th, but did not reappear thereafter. One of the PWC signs was
vandalized during the first week of the ban, but park maintenance has found
a way to strengthen the signs. Overall, there has been wide public support
for the ban. Television and newspaper coverage has been positive, with
editorial writers expressing a sense of relief that the ban was in effect.
The park is noticeably quieter and more tranquil, and the number of permit
requests for kayak and sailboat events has already increased. [Stephen
Prokop, CR, WHIS, 5/1]
02-159 - Colonial NHP (VA) - Assault on Visitor in "Road Rage" Incident
Park dispatch received a 911 call from a motorist on May 3rd, reporting an
assault that had occurred along the Colonial Parkway in the College Creek
area. The occupants of two vehicles had been engaged in a "road rage"
incident, with the driver of a Ford SUV throwing a beer can or bottle at a
Mercedes that had attempted to pass him. The driver of the Mercedes managed
to pass and pulled into the College Creek turnout, where her friends were
waiting for her. The SUV pulled in and the driver got out and assaulted and
battered one of the Mercedes driver's friends. Another friend attempted to
intervene and was slightly injured by the SUV driver. Both vehicles then
pulled out of the turnout, with the SUV chasing the Mercedes down the
parkway, through James City County, and into Williamsburg. Rangers were
attempting to locate the vehicles when Williamsburg PD officers found and
stopped the vehicles on Route 199 just below the parkway. The driver of the
SUV was taken into custody for DWI and possession of marijuana. The park is
conducting an investigation into assault and battery; federal charges are
pending against the driver of the SUV. [Tom Nash, CR, COLO, 5/7]
02-160 - Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania NMP (VA) - ARPA Conviction
On March 3, 2001, P.L.G., Jr., 34, and two companions were
apprehended while relic hunting in a wooded section of the Wilderness
Battlefield by rangers Steve Davis and Craig Johnson. Two of the three were
in possession of metal detectors and a total of 117 artifacts, while the
third was using a GPS unit. A search of P.L.G.'s vehicle, which was also
located inside the park, led to the discovery of several maps - including
topos - of the area and other items associated with relic hunting. Pursuant
to a search warrant, additional Civil War and relic hunting items were
seized from P.L.G.'s residence, including a photograph of a Virginia state
seal belt buckle, which was found to have been dug up on private property
in northern Virginia without permission. It had been sold out of state for
$3,000 using the Internet and the US mail. P.L.G. plead guilty on May 8th
to excavation of archeological resources and the unlawful sale of an
archeological resource through interstate commerce, both at the felony
level. The metal detector, GPS unit, and metal detecting equipment
associated with P.L.G. were forfeited. His sentencing is scheduled for
July 26th in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. The U.S. Attorney's
Office is negotiating with the two other suspects. [Mike Greenfield, SPR,
FRSP, 5/8]
02-161 - National Capital Region (DC/VA/MD) - Assist; Raid on Squatters
Camp
Rangers from NCR parks assisted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special
agents and other state and local law enforcement agencies in a raid on a
squatters' camp in an isolated area of Occoquan NWR in Dumfries, Virginia,
on April 27th. The camp's inhabitants, all illegal aliens from El Salvador,
were turned over to INS. Considerable resource damage had taken place as a
result of the camp's construction. Criminal charges are pending. [Einar
Olsen, RCR, NCR, 5/8]
02-162 - San Antonio Missions NHP (TX) - Special Event
Los Compadres, the park's friends group, held it's annual gala on April 4th
on the grounds of Mission Espada. Eight hundred quests gathered for a night
of entertainment, food, and fund raising. Ribbons in bright fiesta colors
accented the stone structures, mesquite trees were draped with string
lighting, and the church façade was illuminated for the evening. The park
provides support for this event with pre-site preparation and set up,
contractor monitoring, security, and interpretive volunteers and staff to
greet guests and provide tours. The Make It Your Mission Celebration, which
took three days to set up tents, tables, lighting, and staging, raised
$148,000 dollars for the park. [Elizabeth Dupree, PIO, SAAN, 5/6]
02-163 - Blue Ridge Parkway (NC/VA) - MVA with Fatality
On May 7th, W.S., 77, of Canton, Ohio, died of injuries sustained in
a single-vehicle accident that had occurred on the parkway near Sparta,
North Carolina, in April. Based on the ensuing investigation and witness
statements, rangers determined that the accident had occurred due to
failure to maintain control of the vehicle. W.S. wife, B., was not
injured. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 5/7]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Fire Situation
Preparedness Level 2
Initial attack was light everywhere on Tuesday.
Two Type 1 teams are currently committed. Gelobter's team has been assigned
to the Dalton Fire (600 acres, 0% contained) in the Santa Fe NF ten miles
north of Pecos, New Mexico. Evacuation of Upper Pecos Canyon has been
completed. Bateman's team continues management of the Penasco Fire (15,400
acres, 85% contained), which is a dozen miles southeast of Cloudcroft, New
Mexico. Highways 130 and 24 have been reopened. Rehabilitation efforts are
underway.
Hartman's Type 2 team (not a Type 1, as was incorrectly reported yesterday)
is managing the Black Mountain Fire (345 acres, 70% contained) in the
Pike-San Isabel NF in Colorado. Unusually dry, warm and windy conditions
have been hampering air operations and causing frequent spotting across
containment lines, but all evacuation orders have been lifted.
Zimmerman's fire use management team has been assigned to the Bay Creek
Fire (1,158 acres) and the Black Jack 02 Fire (12,800 acres) in the
Okefenokee NWR in Georgia. Both are being managed under confinement
strategy.
Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, Colorado, New
Mexico, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.
National Resource Commitments
Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
Date 4/30 5/1 5/2 5/3 5/4 5/5 5/6 5/7
Crews 41 52 57 -- 58 58 68 40
Engines 112 106 77 -- 93 83 140 105
Helicopters 20 20 16 -- 19 17 21 21
Air Tankers 1 0 0 -- 0 0 0 0
Overhead 343 356 317 -- 366 399 484 391
Type 1 IMT 3 3 1 -- 1 1 2 2
Type 2 IMT 0 1 0 -- 0 1 1 1
Fire Use IMT -- -- -- -- -- 1 2 2
Park Fire Situation
Everglades NP (FL) - Park staff have been extremely busy this year, with
about 40 wildfires and several prescribed burns since January. The park is
currently under pre-suppression and at staffing level five (extreme fire
danger). The Florida Department of Forestry has issued a statewide burning
ban until there is a change in the weather.
Rocky Mountain NP (CO) - The east side of the park is at preparedness level
four and high fire danger; the west side is at preparedness level five and
very high fire danger.
Park Fire Danger
Extreme - Lake Mead NRA, Everglades NP
Very High - N/A
High - Rocky Mountain NP
[NPS Situation Summary Report, 5/8; NICC Incident Management Situation
Report, 5/8]
MEMORANDA
"National Moment of Remembrance ? Memorial Day, 2002," signed by Director
Mainella on May 7th and sent to all employees. The full text follows:
"On Monday, May 27, 2002, America honors those men and women who died in
service to our nation. This Memorial Day, the National Park Service has a
special opportunity to renew the spirit of this important day.
"The White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance was
established by Congress Dec. 28, 2000, to honor our fellow Americans who
died in service to our nation. Through partnerships with local communities,
private businesses, corporate America, and government at all levels, the
National Moment of Remembrance Commission is working to encourage all
Americans to celebrate Memorial Day as a sacred and noble holiday that
honors our fellow Americans who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
"The goal of the Commission is that Americans everywhere will pause for one
minute on Monday, May 27, at precisely 3:00 p.m. (local time) in silent
reflection for our fallen Americans. During this one minute of tribute, the
National Moment of Remembrance recommends that all Americans signify their
unity in this gesture by doing one or more of the following:
• Placing the right hand over one's heart.
• Playing "Taps" during the National Moment of Remembrance.
• If in a vehicle, turning on the vehicle's headlights.
• Pausing for one minute during interpretative speeches, displays, or
other events to recognize this national moment.
• Recognize our monuments, memorials, and sites that pay tribute to our
fallen citizens.
• Encouraging our park visitors to reflect on the unique places, like
our national parks, that freedom has provided to us.
"Because many Americans will be visiting their national parks on Memorial
Day, and because of our mission to educate and interpret history, the
National Park Service has a unique opportunity to play a leading role in
this national effort. I encourage you to be creative and see how best you
may be able to participate in the moment of remembrance. Let's ensure that
every American visiting our national parks knows they can join together on
Memorial Day for 60 unifying seconds to remember the true meaning of
national service and sacrifice.
"The National Moment of Remembrance web site, www.remember.gov has
additional information and interpretative materials available for our use.
Background information, flyers, and audio/video materials are available at
http://dev.seta.com/remember/moment/downloads.cfm";
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Dehumidifier Recall - Whirlpool is recalling 1.4 million dehumidifiers that
can overheat and possibly start a fire. Thirteen of these dehumidifiers
have overheated and caused fires, and three caused major property damage.
Luckily, no injuries have been reported. The recalled dehumidifiers were
sold under the Whirlpool, Kenmore and ComfortAire brand names. The
dehumidifiers are white plastic, about two feet high, and have a
front-mounted water bucket. They have serial numbers that begin with QG,
QH, QJ, QK or QL. The serial number can be found on a label located on the
wall behind the water bucket. Department and appliance stores nationwide
sold the dehumidifiers from February 1997 through December 2001 for between
$130 and $260. If your park has one of these dehumidifiers, stop using it
and unplug it immediately. You can contact Whirlpool to arrange for a free
repair at 866-640-7139 or visit their web site at www.repair.whirlpool.com
for additional information. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's
news release concerning this recall can be viewed on the web at
www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml02/02096.html. [Steve Floray, Museum
Specialist, WASO]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Illinois & Michigan Canal NHC (IL) - Illinois & Michigan Canal National
Heritage Corridor is advertising for an outdoor recreation planner,
GS-0023-9/11. The person in this position will manage a competitive funding
program, initiated and administered by the Illinois & Michigan Canal
Heritage Corridor Commission, and manage the commission's other cooperative
agreements and revolving loan fund. If you would like more information
about this position, you can view or download the announcement on USA Jobs
at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov or call human resource assistant Violet
Hampton at 217-492-4241 ext. 226. The announcements will close on May
23rd. [Barbara Fearon, LIHO]
* * * * *
Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation
and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.
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