NPS Morning Report - Tuesday, June 11, 2002


                           NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                              MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Tuesday, June 11, 2002

INCIDENTS

02-224 - Yellowstone NP (WY) - One Dead, One Missing in Canoeing Accident

D.G., 39, and his son, Q.G., 12, both of Chubbuck, Idaho, had a
backcountry permit for a campsite on the south shore of Shoshone Lake for
Thursday, June 6th, and Friday, June 7th. Around 6:30 p.m. on the 7th, a
group of boaters camping on the lake noticed an overturned canoe along the
lakeshore. They were unable to locate anyone in the area or retrieve the
canoe. When the group arrived at Grant Village late Saturday morning, they
immediately contacted rangers and reported the incident. Searchers were
dispatched on foot, by boat, and by helicopter. The helicopter crew located
the canoe about a mile-and-a-half north of the outlet of Shoshone Lake
around 5 p.m. A short time later, they spotted the body of Q.G.
approximately a quarter mile north of the canoe. He was wearing a life
jacket, but it was only partially on him. D.G.'s life jacket and
other items from the canoe were found by ground searchers a few hundred
yards further up the shore. The G.'s campsite and surrounding area were
searched, but no sign of D.G. was found. Search operations were
halted at dark, but were to continue over the weekend and include three dog
teams and divers (if needed). High winds were reported on the lake on
Thursday and Friday. It is unclear when the incident occurred, but one
witness report indicates a possibility that the victims were seen early
Friday morning. The incident remains under investigation. Preliminary
findings list Q.G.'s cause of death as drowning as a consequence of
cold water immersion. [Public Affairs, YELL, 6/9]

02-225 - Death Valley NP (CA) - MVA with Fatality to Concession Employee

Ranger Sally Sprouse and park EMT Jim Roche responded to a report of a
rollover accident with a fatality at 4:30 a.m. on  Saturday, June 8th.
Ranger Ed Derobertis and ambulance driver Jon Christensen also responded
with the park's rescue unit. The car had gone off the road at a high rate
of speed, rolled two to three times, and ended up on its roof almost 600
feet from the highway. The driver was hanging from his seatbelt and was
found to have succumbed to massive injuries to his head and legs. The
passenger was conscious, but complaining of chest and abdominal pain and
was trapped in the vehicle. Since there's little traffic in the area in the
early morning hours, it's not known how much time elapsed before the
accident was reported. Rescuers moved the driver out of the way and reached
the passenger by entering the vehicle through a window and sliding him out
the door. He was flown to a hospital in Las Vegas. Alcohol and speed
contributed to the accident. Both the driver and passenger were concession
employees. Debris was scattered over the desert, including the car's
battery (45 feet away) and beer cans (over 100 yards away). Personnel from
three park divisions and California Highway Patrol officers worked together
on the response. [CRO, DEVA, 6/8]

02-226 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Vandalism

On June 6th, rangers arrested a 19-year-old man in association with a
series of "tagging" incidents that occurred in the park on May 31st and
June 1st. Tagging is an act of vandalism, often associated with gangs, that
is used to mark territory. Michael Trevino of Riverside, California, has
been charged with 43 counts of damage and destruction to property and one
count of being a minor in possession of alcohol. The damage was extensive
and included vandalism to rocks, trees, buildings, vehicles, and signs in
the Camp 6, Housekeeping Camp, Ahwahnee Hotel and Camp Curry areas. Trevino
and a 17-year-old juvenile are suspects in the case. Trevino has been
arraigned and released on $5,000 bond pending the next court date; the
juvenile was released to his parents. Rangers intend to fully prosecute
this case to demonstrate that this behavior is unacceptable in Yosemite or
any national park. Restoration efforts are being undertaken to eradicate
signs of the vandalism with as little damage to trees and rocks as
possible. [Public Affairs, YOSE, 6/7]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

National Fire Situation

Initial attack was moderate in northern California and light elsewhere
yesterday. Three new large fires were reported; seven others were
contained. Priorities for large fires in the Rockies are being established
by the Rocky Mountain multi-agency coordinating group. An area command team
(Chesley) is assigned to manage the large fires in southeastern Colorado.

Among the more significant fires on the NICC Incident Management Situation
Report were those noted below. Due to the numerous fires burning during the
summer, only the most significant (and all NPS fires) appear here. For a
map showing their locations, click on
http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/firemap.html ; for details on all major fires
currently burning, click on http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf or
http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/nfn.html.

Colorado

Coal Seam Fire, Grand Junction Dispatch Center Area Counties (10,000 acres,
5% contained) - Hart's Type 1 tea is assigned. Torching and crowning were
reported yesterday. Crews are constructing hand lines and burning out. The
threat to Glenwood Springs has been reduced, and the mandatory evacuation
for several areas has been lifted.

Hayman Fire, Pike-San Isabel National Forest (75,899 acres, 5% contained) -
Two Type 1 teams (Martin and Raley) have been assigned to the fire, which
is six miles northwest of Lake George. The fire has three separate fronts.
Crews are anchoring and constructing hand lines on the east and west
flanks. A mandatory evacuation has been issued for the residents of 6,000
homes.

Miracle Complex, Grand Junction District, BLM (2,200 acres, 0% contained) -
Hartman's Type 2 team is assigned. The complex consists of the Long Canyon
and Dierich Creek Fires, both burning near Grand Junction. A mandatory
evacuation is in effect for residents of 230 homes.

Trinidad Complex, Colorado State Forest Service (29,942 acres, 75%
contained) - Swope's Type 2 team is managing the complex, burning eight
miles south of Stonewall. The fire made several significant runs yesterday
and exhibited extreme behavior. A total of 250 residences and several
commercial properties are threatened.

California

Wolf Fire, Los Padres National Forest (21,278 acres, 60% contained) - A
Type 1 team (Gelobter) is managing the fire. Fire activity yesterday was
limited to isolated torching and short runs.

New Mexico

Ponil Fire, New Mexico State Forestry Office (85,000 acres, 25% contained)
- Lohrey's Type 1 team is assigned. The fire continues to burn actively in
its interior; spotting on the northeast and south flanks also occurred. The
town of Ute Park, Philmont Boy Scout Camp, the Vermego Park complex, power
lines, numerous gas wells and several historic structures are threatened.

National Fire Danger

Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, California,
Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.

National Resource Commitments

                  Tue   Wed   Thu   Fri   Sat   Sun   Mon
Date              6/4   6/5   6/6   6/7   6/8   6/9   6/10

Crews             464   439   321   365   315   321   304
Engines           427   410   441   499   488   497   510
Helicopters       95    88    87    85    94    89    110
Air Tankers       0     0     1     2     5     8     4
Overhead          1,567 1,864 1,876 1,683 1,627 1,551 1,703
Type 1 IMT        4     4     4     4     4     5     7
Type 2 IMT        12    9     7     6     9     10    7
Fire Use IMT            1     1     1     1     1     1     1

National Fire Warnings and Watches

NICC has not issued any watches or warnings for today.

Park Fire Situation

Cherry Fire, El Malpais NP (10,000 acres, 25% contained) - A Type 2 team
(Gardner) has been assigned to the fire. A total of 456 firefighters and
overhead personnel and nine engines are committed. The fire continued to
burn actively yesterday in grass and ponderosa pine. Crews are burning out
and patrolling the north and south flanks. Interstate 40 is closed nightly
due to residual smoke. A voluntary evacuation has been recommended for the
El Calderon area and Frank Lloyd Wright House. An evacuation plan and
structure protection are in place for several residences.

Kupukupu Fire, Hawaii Volcanoes NP (3,660 acres, 65% contained) - A total
of 176 firefighters and overhead personnel, two helicopters and five
engines are committed.  Aircraft are being used to hold the fire on its
northern flank, protecting native Hawaiian rain forest. Crews are
constructing lines in difficult terrain on the fire's north flank.

Park Fire Danger

Not available.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 6/9-10]

PARKS AND PEOPLE

WASO Office of Communications (DC) - The office is recruiting for a
GS-1035-11/12/13 public affairs specialist. The person selected will work
under the supervision of the chief of the office, serving as a national
press officer, outreach specialist, and writer. Primary duties involve
developing complex, comprehensive communication plans and campaigns that
highlight and explain NPS programs and policies; advising senior bureau,
regional and DOI officials on anticipated public response to Service plans
and actions; and offering specific recommendations for public information
strategies and activities. The specialist will serve as NPS spokesperson on
major controversial issues, and will be responsible for explaining NPS and
DOI policy on a wide range of issues to national print and broadcast news
media, constituency groups, and the public. The specialist will also craft
speeches and talking points on a variety of issues pertaining to NPS
policies and write and edit news releases and feature articles, opinion
columns for senior officials, fact sheets, brochures and other
informational materials. This vacancy will close on June 19th and can be
found on USA Jobs (NPS WASO-02-059).  For more information, contact the
Office of Communications. [Elaine Sevy, WASO]

                               *  *  *  *  *

Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation
and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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