NPS Morning Report - Monday, June 17, 2002


                           NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                              MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Monday, June 17, 2002

INCIDENTS

02-237 - Yellowstone NP (WY) - Eight Injured in Falls from Horses

On the evening of June 12th, eight visitors were injured in the
northeastern part of the park when they fell from their horses while
returning from a concessioner-operated western cookout. The group was
returning to Roosevelt Lodge from the cookout at Yancy's Hole when one or
two of the horses at the back of the line spooked, then ran up through the
line of horses, causing other horses to spook as well. At least eight
riders fell or were thrown from their horses. A ranger witnessed the
incident and immediately called for help. Rangers from Canyon, Mammoth and
Tower responded immediately and provided emergency medical care. All were
taken to Lake Hospital for treatment and observation. One woman was then
flown to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls for
additional care. Her injuries included fractured ribs, a separated shoulder
and internal injuries, but she is currently listed in stable condition. The
remaining visitors were treated and released for injuries ranging from a
fractured wrist to mild concussions. The incident remains under
investigation. It's not yet known what spooked the horses. [Olivia McCombs,
YELL, 6/14]

02-238 - Yellowstone NP (WY) - Aggravated DUI; Bison Deaths

Two rangers were transporting a prisoner from Old Faithful to West
Yellowstone around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 13th, when they came upon
an accident that had just occurred at Mount Haines overlook. They found a
heavily-damaged Ford Taurus, an intoxicated driver, three dead bison and a
fourth that was dying. The driver, G.L., suffered significant
injuries; he was first taken to Lake Hospital, then to West Park Hospital
in Cody, Wyoming. G.L. was released from the hospital the next day and was
arrested on a warrant by rangers and officers from Cody PD. On June 15th,
he appeared before a federal magistrate and was charged with driving under
the influence of alcohol, driving while suspended for DUI, destruction and
killing of wildlife, driving without insurance, and driving with an opened
container of alcohol. He remains in federal custody pending a detention
hearing that will be held on Tuesday. Ranger Curt Dimmick is the lead
investigator. Government prosecutors intend to seek significant restitution
in this case. [Brian Smith, SSA, YELL, 6/16]

[Additional reports pending...]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

National Fire Situation

Initial attack was heavy in southern California on Sunday and light
elsewhere. Eighty new fires were reported across the nation, two of which
became large fires. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada, New
Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.

Two MAC groups are now in place: Priorities for large fires in the
Southwest and for the Rockies are being established by the multi-agency
coordinating groups for those areas. An area command team (Chesley) has
been assigned to manage the Hayman fire.

Significant national fires include:

Colorado

Missionary Ridge Fire, San Juan National Forest (26,700 acres, 25%
contained) - A unified command has been established between a Type 1 team
(Melton) and La Plata County Emergency Management. The fire is burning 15
miles northeast of Durango in gambel's oak, ponderosa pine and mixed
conifers. The fire exhibited extreme behavior yesterday, including short
crown runs, torching and long-range spotting. Several subdivisions south of
Lemon and Vallecito reservoirs remain evacuated. Additional evacuations are
underway south of both reservoirs and on the north side of the latter. An
evacuation center is open in Bayfield. Structure protection is in place for
1,711 threatened structures.

Hayman Fire, Pike-San Isabel National Forest (102,895 acres, 47% contained)
- Two Type 1 teams (Fry and Raley) have been assigned to the fire, which is
burning in ponderosa pine and mixed conifers six miles northwest of Lake
George. Torching and short crown runs were reported yesterday. Crews made
substantial progress on indirect and direct hand lines on all divisions.
About 10,000 residences are threatened and a mandatory evacuation remains
in place for 3,000 residents.

Coal Seam Fire, Grand Junction Dispatch Center Area Counties (11,838 acres,
60% contained) - Hart's Type 1 team is assigned. The presence of heavy dead
and downed fir on the northern edge of the fire has limited the utility of
either direct or indirect containment efforts, so a plan is being
considered for a confinement strategy.

New Mexico

Roybal/Trampas Fire, Santa Fe NF (600 acres, 0% contained) - Bateman's Type
1 is managing the two fires, which are burning in ponderosa pine and mixed
conifers. Running and torching were observed on the Trampas Fire on Sunday.
Structure protection is in place for the town of Rociada and for
improvements in Denton Canyon.

Arizona

Walker Fire, Coronado NF (16,250 acres, 75% contained) - A unified command
has been established between Kvale's Type 2 team and the government of
Nogales in Sonora, Mexico. The fire is burning in chaparral, oak and grass.
Burnout operations along the north and east flanks in the U.S. have been
successful. U.S. crews are building lines along the west flank; Mexican
crews are constructing direct attack lines along the south and east flanks.
Numerous residences are still threatened.

Nevada

Cannon Fire, Humboldt-Toiyabe NF (5,000 acres, 7% contained) - A Type 2
team (Murphy) is assigned; a Type 1 team (Stutler) has been ordered. The
fire is burning in sage, ponderosa pine and mixed conifers 25 miles
northwest of Bridgeport, California, in a Marine winter warfare training
area. Extreme behavior was reported yesterday. Gusty, erratic winds, low
relative humidity, steep terrain, limited access, and unexploded ordnance
are impeding containment efforts. All firefighters are constructing lines
and creating defensible space around the town of Walker, which has been
evacuated. A preliminary evacuation plan for Coleville has been prepared;
the town of Topaz and several other areas are threatened. Highway 395 is
closed.

California

Sudden Ranch Fire, Vandenberg AFB (5,142 acres, 10% contained) - A CDF Type
1 team (Maner) is assigned. The fire is burning in heavy brush six miles
west of Lompoc. Strong onshore winds caused the fire to be very active
yesterday, with several slopovers occurring on the southeastern flank.

National Resource Commitments

                  Mon   Tue   Wed   Thu   Fri   Sat   Sun
Date              6/10  6/11  6/12  6/13  6/14  6/15  6/16

Crews             304   332   292   310   300   324   335
Engines           510   553   467   615   718   815   736
Helicopters       110   82    85    93    100   100   119
Air Tankers       4     6     2     0     0     4     3
Overhead          1,703 1,899 1,785 1,995 2,189 2,179 2,483
Type 1 IMT        7     6     6     8     8     8     9
Type 2 IMT        7     7     9     9     7     7     7
Fire Use IMT            1     2     2     2     2     2     1

National Fire Warnings and Watches

NICC has not issued any watches or warnings for today.

Park Fire Situation

Cedar Breaks NM (UT) - The park reopened on Saturday at 8 a.m. All
facilities and services are now back to normal. The park and Highway 14
were closed on June 9th at the request of the Iron County Sheriff's Office
in order to facilitate firefighting efforts and safeguard residents and
visitors. The fire burned within a mile-and-a-quarter of the park in heavy,
dense stands of Englemann spruce and sub-alpine fir. About 90% of the
spruce are dead, having been killed off by a bark beetle epidemic over the
past decade - a circumstance that abetted the spread and intensity of the
fire. Road closures have had a tremendous adverse impact on residents, area
ranchers, visitors, and the local tourist economy. Efforts to keep the fire
out of the park included selective removal of dozens of dead spruce trees
and reduction of ladder fuels adjacent to the park's two CCC-constructed
log structures (both on the National Register), the maintenance building,
and the seasonal apartment complex. Firefighters from Zion, Bandelier and
Yellowstone did a great job in reducing those fuels.

Park Fire Danger

Not available.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 6/15-17; Denny Davies,
Superintendent, CEBR, 6/14]

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Harpers Ferry NHP (MD/VA/WV) - The park has several park ranger
(protection) vacancies at the GS-5/7/9 levels. We are seeking applicants
for a lateral reassignment who have strong interest and experience in
resource-based law enforcement. Assignments will include extensive boundary
patrols to identify and investigate encroachments and regular archeological
site visits to document the presence or absence of criminal activity.
Emergency response skills are a plus, especially the ability to operate a
boat in swiftwater rescue situations. If you're interested, send an SF-171,
OF-612 or resume´ and your most recent SF-50 to supervisory park ranger
Todd Roeder at the park address. Applications must be received no later
than close of business on Monday, July 1st, to be considered. Please also
indicate if you will accept a required occupancy position or not. Questions
about the positions can be telephoned to Todd Roeder at 304-535-6746 or
sent to him by name on email.  For those who lack the grade level to apply
for lateral transfer, watch for a merit promotion vacancy announcement on
USA Jobs in July.  [Scot McElveen, CR]

                               *  *  *  *  *

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

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