INCIDENTS

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02-489
Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL,MS)
Park Prepares for Tropical Storm Isidore

All units of Gulf Island NS were closed on Wednesday, and all employees were released except for the law enforcement staff. Thrill seekers are being routinely removed from closed portions of the park and the law enforcement staff is assisting local agencies with search and rescue operations for those who try to swim in the Gulf of Mexico. One person is believed to be missing in the gulf after attempting to surf the waves just outside the park in a truck inner-tube. It's expected that the hurricane will reach the mainland early Thursday morning. Sea conditions are expected to exceed 20 feet, with rainfall totals nearing 20 inches. As of yesterday, roads in the Florida District had between one and two feet of water on them in low-lying areas, with storm surge crossing some portions of the roads. These same roads were just reaired from storm damage inflicted by Tropical Storm Hugo, which caused over $50,000 in damage to roofs, roads and piers.
[Submitted by Chief Ranger's Office, Gulf Islands NS]

02-490
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Continuing Marijuana Eradication Operations

Over a five day period between September 17 and 21, rangers and the park's special agent, assisted by a California Highway Patrol helicopter, discovered and eradicated another dozen marijuana gardens on the north and south slopes of the Lake Canyon drainage in the Mineral King subdistrict. Eight people were arrested, all of them illegal immigrants. They were taken to a county jail in Visalia. Rangers found and seized a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, an AK-47 assault rifle, and two air rifles. A team of Tulare County deputies assisted with eradication of plants on the second day of the operation. Additional assistance over the remaining days was provided by rangers from Yosemite, Santa Monica Mountains, Death Valley and Lake Mead; a regional special events team came in on the third day and remained to help out with the eradication of plants and the investigation and reconnaissance of high probability areas. Personnel from other divisions within the park also assisted. The gardens contained 10,164 fully-grown plants, some up to eight-feet tall and containing 18-inch buds. Harvesting had just begun; the growers had harvested fewer than 300 plants containing about 140 pounds of marijuana. Two very large resident camps and three smaller camps were found in the complex. These gardens were not far from others previously eradicated and are believed to be associated with the same drug cartel. Damage to resources was extensive. About 15 acres of steep terrain were disturbed, and fertilizer, pesticides and poisons were present throughout the gardens. The park contract helicopter removed over eight tons of marijuana plants and about three-quarters of a ton of debris, irrigation hoses, camp supplies and food. Park law enforcement staff remain vigilant, as there's about a month left in the marijuana harvesting season in the Sierras.
[Submitted by Al DeLaCruz, Special Agent, Sequoia/Kings Canyon NPs]

02-491
Point Reyes National Seashore (CA)
Marijuana Eradication and Arrests

Rangers received a visitor report of a marijuana patch in the Dogtown area on September 19. Rangers and NPS special agents found the site and placed it under surveillance. A man and a woman were spotted loading objects into their vehicle near the site around 6 a.m. the next morning and were arrested after traces of marijuana were found in the vehicle. Park LE staff then entered the growing site with DEA agents and officers from a county crime task force and removed about 2,750 plants with an estimated street value of $2.5 million. DEA has taken over the investigation, which is continuing. The area suffered massive resource damage from the growing operation. A comprehensive resource assessment is being conducted, but preliminary estimates show that over 100 trees were removed to create an open area for growing the plants, several water holding ponds were dug into the hillside, and an extensive irrigation system was constructed to a spring approximately a half mile from the garden. Insecticides and other hazardous materials were found on site, as well as a fully-developed camp with a tree house and kitchen area. The case has sparked interest from local media, including visits to the site by reporters from local papers. Efforts are underway to remove all the garbage from the site and to do restoration work.
[Submitted by Colin Smith, District Ranger, Point Reyes NS]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

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National Fire Situation

Preparedness Level 2

Initial attack was light nationwide. Four of the 43 newly-reported fires escaped initial attack and are being managed as project fires.

Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in the following states: California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming.

National Resource Commitments

Day	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue
Date	9/17	9/18	9/19	9/20	9/21	9/22	9/23	9/24
Crews	96	87	116	83	83	76	126	189
Engines	173	217	315	183	178	174	242	481
Helicopters	35	40	33	23	23	36	41	61
Air Tankers	0	0	0	1	0	2	5	4
Overhead	1,013	955	969	615	494	554	853	1,128

National Team Commitments

State	Type Team	Team IC	Fire/Location	Acres 9/23	Acres 9/24	Percent Contain	Est. Full Contain
WA	FUM	Cones	Quartz Mt. Complex,	-----	8,087	0	UNK
OR	T2	Morcom	Bowl Fire, Mt. Hood NF	-----	240	0	UNK
CA	CDF T1	Johnson	Croy Fire, Santa Clara	-----	1,639	25	UNK
CA	T1	Raley	Williams Fire, Angeles NF	4,339	18,005	8	UNK

National Fire Highlights

Williams Fire, Angeles National Forest - A unified command has been established between Raley's Type 1 team and Los Angeles County FD. The fire is 25 miles north of Azusa. Plume dominated fire behavior was observed in heavy brush. Crews are constructing fire lines in steep terrain. Mandatory evacuations are in place for residences north of Azusa, Glendora, San Dimas and Upland. Evacuations are underway for Mt. Baldy. Structure protection is in place; 10,000 residences, 50 commercial properties and 5,000 outbuildings are threatened. Forty-four residences were confirmed lost during the initial phases of the fire.

Willow Fire, Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection - This fire is three miles east of San Andreas. Very active fire behavior with extensive spotting was observed. Crews and dozers are constructing direct attack lines. Low fuel moisture and low relative humidity are impeding suppression efforts. Fifty residences and 15 outbuildings are threatened.

Croy Fire, Santa Clara Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection - A CDF Type 1 team is assigned. This fire is five miles west of Morgan Hill. Active fire behavior with spotting was observed in brush, oak and timber. Crews and engines are holding the fire and providing structure protection for 250 residences. An evacuation advisory is in effect in the vicinity of the fire. Thirteen additional outbuildings were confirmed lost.

Park Fire Situation

No reports today.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

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Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
Three Openings for GS-11/12 District Rangers

The park currently has openings for three GS-11/12 supervisory park rangers. The positions are posted on USA Jobs and will close on October 10. A relocation incentive of up to 25% will be provided. Housing will most likely be in Ajo, Arizona. Each of the three rangers selected will supervise a district - the Border District (collateral duties include serving as the park's LE specialist), the Frontcountry District (the collateral duties are EMS and structural fire), and the Backcountry District (collateral duties are wildland fire, wilderness management and search and rescue). These positions include shift work and supervision of between four and seven rangers each. For more information, contact Dale Thompson at 520-387-7661 ext. 7201.
[Submitted by Dale Thompson, Chief Ranger, Organ Pipe Cactus NM]

Independence National Historical Park (PA)
Openings for Both Temporary and Permanent Rangers

The park has job announcements out for a number of temporary and permanent law enforcement rangers. The permanent positions are GS-5/7/9 and are open until October 19. Temporary positions are currently open and will close on September 27. For further information, contact Ian Crane at 215-597-0143 or 267-249-2239.
[Submitted by Ian Crane, District Ranger, Independence NHP]

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.