Standardizing Morning Report Release Time
Effective
today, the Morning Report will be posted - insofar as is possible - at 9
a.m. Eastern Time. This is being done to make it possible for readers to
better determine when to log on to read the daily report.
INCIDENTS
02-370
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
Follow-up on Eggle Homicide
On August 9, Mexican nationals car-jacked a GMC Jimmy SUV at Puerto
Penasco, Mexico. The vehicle belonged to an American citizen from
Phoenix, Arizona, who was vacationing there. The stolen vehicle was
driven to the border town of Sonoyta, Mexico, where a confrontation
occurred between the car-jackers and the Sonoyta Municipal Police that
involved an exchange of gunfire. Two of the suspects were pursued by
Mexican authorities to the port of entry at Lukeville, Arizona. The
suspects then turned east along the Mexican border road for
approximately three miles, then drove north into the United States
through an opening in the barbed wire fence that marks the international
boundary. One Mexican police vehicle followed the GMC a short distance
across the border. Another exchange of gunfire took place, which
resulted in the Mexican police returning south across the border. The
GMC then continued north cross-country through the desert within the
park. Around 1 p.m., Mexican authorities notified the American port
director that two armed men in a silver GMC had crossed into the United
States. The port director in turn notified both the Border Patrol and
the National Park Service. A Border Patrol helicopter that was working
in the area located the suspect vehicle and directed responding units to
its location. After trying to evade the pursuing Border Patrol units,
the GMC became stuck in a ravine. The two Mexican citizens then ran from
the vehicle. One, D.R.L., ran northwest from the pursuing Border Patrol
and was eventually captured with the assistance of the Border Patrol
helicopter; the other, P.M.A., ran southwest and into a heavily
vegetated wash that ran north-south. The helicopter pilot eventually
spotted P.M.A. hiding under a palo verde tree in the wash and directed
officers to that location. Ranger Kris Eggle approached to within
approximately fifty feet of the tree with his shotgun at point ready.
P.M.A. fired three shots at him from an AK-47. One round hit the radio
on Eggle's left hip and entered his abdomen under his body armor,
wounding him fatally. P.M.A. then ran southeast across open desert to a
point approximately fifty yards from the border, where approximately 30
to 50 Mexican officers from numerous agencies opened fire from Mexico
and shot him. P.M.A. died from his wounds. On September 4, D.R.L. was
indicted by a federal grand jury on three counts - an illegal alien in
possession of ammunition, an illegal alien in possession of a firearm,
and international transport of a stolen vehicle. Superceding charges on
other counts are expected in the future. The FBI and National Park
Service special agents are jointly investigating.
[Submitted
by Dan Wirth and Susan Morton, Special Agents, NPS]
02-444
Cape Hatteras National Seashore (NC)
Follow-up: Tropical Storm Gustav
Parts of the park have reopened, while other areas remain closed.
Campgrounds: Frisco and Oregon Inlet are open, Ocracoke is closed.
Ramps: Ramps 23, 27, 30, 34, 38, 43, and 55 are open, ramps 4, 44, 49,
59, 67, 68, 70 and 72 are still closed.
[Submitted by Mary
Doll, Public Affairs Officer, Cape Hatteras NS]
02-454
Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Park Staff Assist on Fatal Aircraft Crash
On September 8, the FAA at Grand Canyon National Park Airport
contacted park dispatch and reported that the pilot of an Eagle/Scenic
Airlines aircraft had spotted a downed Beechcraft Bonanza A36 Turboprop
outside of the park near Cataract Canyon, which drains into the Havasu
area. The report from the airliner indicated that one occupant was
slumped over in the front seat and that a second occupant had evidently
walked away from the crash. At the time of the report, scattered heavy
monsoon storm cells were moving through the Grand Canyon region and
hampered county rescuers from reaching the scene on the ground due to
impassable roads. The park helicopter was accordingly dispatched; aboard
were pilot Greg Haufle, helicopter manager Sean Cox, ranger/IEMT Ira
Blitzblau, and ranger/paramedic Ken Phillips. An air rescue helicopter
from Arizona DPS - the only other emergency helicopter available in
northern Arizona at the time - also responded. Park personnel landed
first and directed other rescuers to the remote site. They determined
that G.H. of Northbrook, Illinois, was the only occupant of the
plane and that he had died in the accident. G.H. had been en route
from Nevada to Kansas. Shortly before the accident, air traffic
controllers in Los Angeles had received a transmission from G.H. in
which he'd reported electrical problems. Marty McCaslin was IC for the
NPS.
[Submitted by Ken Phillips, SAR Coordinator, Grand
Canyon NP]
02-455
Crater Lake National Park (OR)
Multiple Rescues
On the afternoon of July 18, rangers responded to an EMS call at Rim
Village and treated C.S., 20, of Moscow, Idaho, for
lacerations to his arms and legs. The rangers determined that C.S. and
two friends had attempted to reach the lake via the caldera wall near
Rim Village, and that he had sustained the injuries from falls during
the descent and ascent. The caldera that holds Crater Lake is closed to
entry due to dangerous cliffs and unstable scree slopes. C.S.'s
companions were still in precarious situations on the caldera wall.
Rangers conducted a technical rescue and found J.S., 19, of
Caldwell, Idaho, and C.M., 20, also from Moscow,
approximately 250 feet below the rim. J.S. and C.M. were able to
climb out with assistance and protection by rescuers. The three were
treated for minor lacerations and released, then were cited for entering
a closed area. Shortly after completing the first rescue, rangers
received another report of visitors stranded inside the caldera wall
below Rim Village. Two children, ages 9 and 11, were stranded
approximately 1200 feet below the rim and 300 feet above lake level. The
children and their uncle, J.P., 27, of Bend, Oregon, became
ledged-out while attempting to scramble down to the lake to go swimming.
J.P. left the children on the ledge and climbed out for help. Because
of difficulty accessing the site from above, rescuers were ferried
across the lake in the park's research vessel, then climbed to their
location. Both children were suffering from dehydration and severe
cramping from holding on to a rock ledge while awaiting rescue. Rescuers
lowered them to the lakeshore, ferried them across the lake to the
Cleetwood Cove trail, and assisted them in hiking out. J.P. was cited
for entering a closed area, with an investigation continuing into other
possible charges. Editor's Note: This report was submitted in July, but
got lost in the ether somewhere during its cross-country journey. The
park just resubmitted it.
[Submitted by David Brennan,
CR&VP;, Crater Lake NP]
02-456
Biscayne National Park (FL)
Smuggling of Illegal Immigrants
Ranger Randy Whitton discovered a 36-foot Sea Ray power boat hard
aground on protected sea grass beds late on April 17. He found four
people on board and discovered a weapon and $32,000 in currency. Whitton
summoned assistance and was soon joined by ranger David Carter (from
C&O Canal NHP) and Customs agents. The cash, believed to be the
proceeds from alien smuggling, was seized, and forfeiture proceedings
were begun. On August 3, Customs returned the cash and terminated
forfeiture proceedings in an effort to maintain the identity of an
informant and to enhance the investigation. The follow-up investigation
lead to the interception and arrest of the same four men in the same
boat on August 8. There were in the process of smuggling 24 aliens in
coastal waters off Florida and outside of the park. During the search of
the vessel, officers found the receipt and bank deposit for the $32,000,
which had been returned to them five days earlier.
[Submitted
by David Pharo, Law Enforcement Specialist, Biscayne NP]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Fire Situation
Preparedness Level 3
Initial attack was again light everywhere yesterday. Only one of the 123 newly-reported fires became a large fire; three large fires were contained.
Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in the following states: California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming.
National Resource Commitments
| Day |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
| Date |
9/5 |
9/6 |
9/7 |
9/8 |
9/9 |
9/10 |
9/11 |
9/12 |
| Crews |
281 |
263 |
223 |
188 |
142 |
148 |
175 |
114 |
| Engines |
579 |
468 |
446 |
386 |
315 |
406 |
250 |
196 |
| Helicopters |
102 |
92 |
71 |
68 |
50 |
62 |
66 |
62 |
| Air Tankers |
3 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
| Overhead |
2,468 |
2,623 |
2,426 |
2,247 |
2,002 |
1,720 |
1,701 |
1,615 |
National Team Commitments
| State |
Type Team |
Team IC |
Fire/Location |
Acres 9/10 |
Acres 9/11 |
Percent Contain |
Est. Full Contain |
| CA |
T1 |
Studebaker |
Curve Fire, Angeles NF |
19,375 |
19,506 |
100 |
9/12 |
| CO |
FUMT |
Cook |
Big Fish, White River NF |
17,056 |
17,056 |
0 |
UNK |
| CO |
FUMT |
Cook |
Lost Lakes, Routt NF |
5,538 |
5,538 |
0 |
UNK |
[Submitted by NICC Incident Management Situation Report]
Park Fire Situation
Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP's (CA) - The Bubbs Creek Fire has been contained at 20 acres and is being patrolled. The Slide and Moraine Fires are also being patrolled. The Palisades Fire is being monitored through recon flights. The Pacific Crest Trail has reopened through the area of the Palisades Fire; hikers can now go through without escorts. The Sunset D Rx Fire, postponed earlier this week, is being planned for the weekend.
[Submitted by Tina Boehle, NPS Fire Management Program Center ]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
36 CFR Revisions
Reminder: Comments on the draft revisions to Part 3 of 36 CFR are due by close of business on Friday, October 4. Comments should be sent via email to Kym Hall in WASO Ranger Activities.
[Submitted by Kym Hall, Regulations Manager, Ranger Activities Division, WASO]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.