NPS Morning Report - Thursday, June 13, 2002
- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Thursday, June 13, 2002
- Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 08:34:34 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Thursday, June 13, 2002
INCIDENTS
01-509 - Organ Pipe Cactus NM (AZ) - Follow-up: Homeland Security
The park's entire protection staff (four rangers) joined Border Patrol and
Customs agents on an all-night border watch of the 31 miles of
international border within the park on June 6th. The operation was
launched as a result of intelligence received by Customs that a truckload
of cyanide that had been hijacked in Mexico several days previously was
going to enter the United States through the park. Two southbound vehicles
crossed the border, but no northbound truck was encountered. The cyanide
was later found in the state of Puebla and recovered ( for details, see
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020531/ap_wo_en_ge/mexico_cyanide_10
.[Dale Thompson, CR, ORPI, 6/12]
02-230 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Structural Fire
On the afternoon of May 29th, rangers at Katherine Landing reported a large
smoke column issuing from Katherine Mine Homesites, a parcel of county land
within the park. The first ranger to arrive reported that two structures
were fully engulfed in flames and that a third had caught fire. The ranger
had to enter the latter to coerce the owner to abandon his efforts to fight
the fire with a garden hose. The man refused to leave, so the ranger
attempted to forcibly extract him. When that failed, he latched onto the
garden hose and yanked it, causing the owner to be pulled from the
building. The area is served by only one water main, which is supplied by a
well in the old Katherine Mine. The park's engine assisted the local fire
department engines with a water shuttle until two water tenders could
arrive from departments that were 25 miles away. At one point during this
operation, the main water supply line ruptured, necessitating a continuous
water shuttle from the lake two-and-a-half miles away for the remainder of
the fire. Eight park staff were involved in attack operations, exposure
protection, water supply and overhead positions. A Bullhead City FD
battalion chief was IC for the four fire agencies that responded. The fire
may have been started by two unlicensed painting contractors doing work on
one of the homes. Bullhead City FD is investigating. Park staff received
compliments for participation in the operation. The air temperature during
the fire was 100, with a breezy southwest wind which helped fan the flames.
[John Tesar, SPR, LAME, 6/11]
02-231 - Rocky Mountain NP (CO) - Special Event: SAR Field Exercises
Park staff assisted local area Mountain Rescue Association teams in hosting
the national MRA conference held at YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park from
June 6th to June 8th. Over 200 MRA members from across the country
attended. Search and rescue field exercises were held in two areas of the
park on June 7th and 8th. International SAR team delegations from China and
Israel attended, and staff provided the Israeli delegation with a tour of
the park. WASO SAR program coordinator Randy Coffman and park SAR program
coordinator Mark Magnuson gave presentations during the conference on
search and rescue issues and programs with the NPS. {Joe Evans, CR, ROMO,
6/11]
02-232 - Boston NHP (MA) - Suspicious Package
On Monday, June 10th, rangers found two coolers abandoned in a high traffic
area. They attempted to find the owner(s) by paging at several park
locations, but had no success. Because of the suspicious circumstances, the
Massachusetts State Police bomb squad, Boston FD, and Boston EMS were asked
to respond. As a precaution, rangers closed about half of the pier at which
the USS Constitution is docked. About an hour later, a school group
chaperone arrived at the scene and admitted to leaving the coolers there.
He was charged with abandoning property and given a court date. The area
was reopened. The Constitution itself remained open during the incident.
[Glenn W. Van Neil, SA, BOST, 6/11]
02-233 - Blue Ridge Parkway (NC/VA) - MVA with Fatality
R.B., 60, and his adult son were traveling through the park on
separate motorcycles on the evening of June 9th. R.B.'s son was ahead of
him; when he noticed that his father was no longer with him, he returned
and found R.B. and the motorcycle over an embankment. The bike evidently
landed on R.B., and he was declared dead at the scene. Pete Schula is the
case ranger. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 6/10]
[Additional reports pending...]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Fire Situation
Initial attack was light everywhere yesterday. Three new large fires were
reported.
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 Hayman fire.
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
Hayman Fire, Pike-San Isabel National Forest (86,925, 5% contained) - Two
Type 1 teams (Martin and Raley) have been assigned to the fire, which is
burning in ponderosa pine and mixed conifers six miles northwest of Lake
George. The fire has several fronts and is advancing to the
north-northwest, south-southeast and west into the Lost Creek Wilderness
Area. Extreme fire behavior, an active run to the south, torching and
spotting were all reported yesterday. Crews continue to anchor in and
construct hand lines. Several camps, ranches, recreation areas,
subdivisions and towns are threatened. Twenty-two structures have been lost
to date. A mandatory evacuation is in place for 5,430 residents; additional
evacuations are underway. Evacuation centers have been opened in Park,
Douglas, Teller and Jefferson Counties. For details on this major fire, go
to http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/fire/hayman/.
Coal Seam Fire, Grand Junction Dispatch Center Area Counties (11,498 acres,
25% contained) - Hart's Type 1 team is assigned. The fire is burning in
heavy oakbrush four miles from Glenwood Springs. Long-range spotting on the
northeast flank and a sustained run on the northwest flank were reported
yesterday.
Miracle Complex, Grand Junction District, BLM (3,835 acres, 50% contained)
- Hartman's Type 2 team is assigned. The complex consists of the Long
Canyon and Dierich Creek Fires, both burning near Grand Junction. Structure
protection is in place for the nearly 300 residences whose occupants are
under mandatory evacuation.
Trinidad Complex, Colorado State Forest Service (32,562 acres, 75%
contained) - Swope's Type 2 team is managing the complex, burning eight
miles south of Stonewall. The fire was very active along the south fork of
the Purgatory River and in Five Mile Canyon yesterday due to erratic winds
and low humidity. Several commercial properties and 250 residences are
threatened.
Missionary Ridge Fire, San Juan National Forest (9,300 acres, 15%
contained) - A Type 2 team (Solarz) is assigned to the fire, which is ten
miles north of Durango. Extreme fire behavior and rapid rates of spread
occurred yesterday. The Florida drainage is closed and numerous structures
are threatened. The governor of Colorado and the director of FEMA visited
the fire yesterday.
Utah
Big Wash Fire, Cedar City Field Office, BLM (5,130 acres, 70% contained) -
Hefner's Type 1 team is assigned. Torching, backing and short runs occurred
yesterday. Crews are building fire lines on the west flank and mopping up
on the south and east flanks. Several residences, a communication site and
historic structures are threatened. Cedar Breaks NM is closed (see below
for additional details).
California
Wolf Fire, Los Padres National Forest (21,278 acres, 90% contained) - A
Type 1 team (Gelobter) is managing the fire. Crews are mopping up and
patrolling.
New Mexico
Ponil Fire, New Mexico State Forestry Office (91,000 acres, 25% contained)
- Lohrey's Type 1 team is assigned. The fire was very active on Wednesday,
with several major interior runs and substantial growth on the west flank.
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
Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
Date 6/6 6/7 6/8 6/9 6/10 6/11 6/12
Crews 321 365 315 321 304 332 292
Engines 441 499 488 497 510 553 467
Helicopters 87 85 94 89 110 82 85
Air Tankers 1 2 5 8 4 6 2
Overhead 1,876 1,683 1,627 1,551 1,703 1,899 1,785
Type 1 IMT 4 4 4 5 7 6 6
Type 2 IMT 7 6 9 10 7 7 9
Fire Use IMT 1 1 1 1 1 2 2
National Fire Warnings and Watches
NICC has not issued any watches or warnings for today.
Park Fire Situation
El Malpais NP (NM) - The Cherry Fire (15,500 acres, 80% contained) is being
managed by a Type 2 team (Gardner). A total of 554 firefighters and
overhead personnel and 17 engines are committed. Crews have completed
burnout operations. The voluntary evacuation has been lifted. Highway 117
remains closed nightly due to residual smoke.
Hawaii Volcanoes NP (HI) - There was no acreage change yesterday on the
Kupukupu Fire (3,660 acres, 65% contained). A total of 100 firefighters and
overhead personnel are committed. Crews continue to construct lines on the
north flank.
Appalachian NST (GA-ME) - A segment of the Appalachian Trail in the James
River Face Wilderness Area in Virginia has been closed due to fires burning
in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
Cedar Breaks NM (UT) - The park was closed Sunday, June 9th, at the request
of the Iron County Sheriff's Office and will remain closed until further
notice. The Big Wash Fire, which is burning a mile-and-a quarter south of
the park boundary (about seven miles north of Zion NP), has burned over
5,000 acres. Prevailing winds are carrying smoke and fire brands northeast
right over Cedar Breaks. The fire is affecting four agencies and is being
managed under a cooperative agreement involving the National Park Service,
Forest Service, BLM, and the Utah Division of Forestry and Lands. The
sheriff ordered the road closure to facilitate the passage of emergency
vehicles to the fire base camp just southeast of the park and to facilitate
the firefighting efforts in an area populated by dozens of summer homes. On
Monday, June 10th, a Type I fire team was called in and replaced the Type 2
team that had been on the fire since it started on June 5th. The Big Wash
Fire is burning in elevations ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 feet in steep,
rugged canyon terrain south of and adjacent to Utah 14 that runs between
Cedar City and US 89 to the east. Highway 14 is also closed. On the evening
of June 8th, the fire, driven by 30 to 45 mph winds, made a four-and-a-half
mile run to the north and exploded from 500 acres to 4,500 acres in a
matter of hours. The next day, sparks ignited fires on the north side of
Highway 14, but they were contained. There are no fires inside Cedar
Breaks, but, as noted above, the fire front is only a mile-and-a-quarter
south of the park. If the expected winds materialize over the next two
days, it will be difficult to keep the fire from jumping Highway 14. If
that happens (already covered as part of the of the worst-case scenario),
Cedar Breaks will be in imminent danger. Under the direction of Zion FMO
Jan Passek, the park has put into place emergency procedures to minimize
damage to the park's cultural resources, other buildings, and
infrastructure. Hoses are in place to sprinkle four buildings, including
two CCC-constructed log structures (the visitor center and caretaker's
cabin). Removal of dead and down fuels from building environs is in
progress, and strategies for aerial attacks, if necessary, have been
established and communicated to the incident command team. The team is
planning a series of community meetings to better inform the public on the
fire's status and future prognosis. The first one was last night in Cedar
City. Superintendent Denny Davies was the NPS representative.
Florissant Fossil Beds NM (CO) - The park closed on Tuesday, June 11th, as
a precautionary measure in response to very high fire danger and the Hayman
Fire burning in central Colorado. It will remain closed until danger from
the fire has passed. The Hayman Fire is burning eight miles north of the
park. Subdivisions just north of the town of Florissant were evacuated on
June 11th; the park lies within three miles of the evacuation zone. The
Great Basin Type I team was assigned operational management of the fire on
June 11th. California Type 1 Team 5 is stationed in Castle Rock and will
coordinate operations with the Great Basin Type 1 team. This wind-driven
fire, which was originally reported around 5 p.m. on June 8th, grew very
quickly due to high wind conditions, high temperatures and low relative
humidity. The fire's southeast flank, nearest Florissant, was very active
on June 11th, moving towards the evacuated subdivisions. Crews are working
in these subdivisions to protect structures being threatened by the fire.
Park staffers are assisting fire command with traffic control and structure
protection and preparing for an evacuation according to the emergency
operations plan. The park has put into place emergency procedures to
protect cultural resources and infrastructure. A sprinkler system has been
installed to protect the historic Hornbek Homestead. Removal of fuels
adjacent to other structures is in progress as per fire management plan
specifications.
Rocky Mountain NP (CO) - A ban on all fires within the park was put into
effect yesterday due to the continued extreme fire danger and current level
of fire activity in Colorado. The restrictions will remain in effect until
further notice. Campfires, including charcoal briquette fires, are not
permitted anywhere within the park, but petroleum-fueled stoves and grills
will be allowed in designated backcountry campsites, developed campgrounds,
and picnic areas. Smoking is also prohibited, except within closed
vehicles, parking lots, or developed areas that are cleared of all
flammable materials for at least three feet in diameter.
Park Fire Danger
Not available.
[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 6/13; Denny Davies, CEBR, 6/12;
Scott Sticha, ROMO, 6/12; Tom Ulrich, CR, FLFO, 6/12]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Mammoth Cave NP (KY) - The park is seeking people interested in an acting
assignment as the operations supervisor for the Ranger Activities Division.
Strong skills and experience in EMS, SAR and frontcountry and backcountry
visitor and resource protection are desirable. Interested candidates with
Level 1 commissions are being sought from the GS-9 and GS-11 grade levels.
If the person chosen is at the GS-9 level, he/she will be temporarily
promoted to GS-11 for the duration of the detail. The park will pay all
salary, travel, per diem and in-park housing costs. Resumes must be
received no later than June 21st. For more information, contact chief
ranger Wayne Elliott at 270-758-2116. [Marla Davis, MACA]
* * * * *
Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation
and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.
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