02-492
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Car Clout Investigation Underway
On the afternoon and early evening of September 17, there were ten
auto break-ins at trailhead parking areas along the Glacier Point and
Tioga Pass roads. The method of entry was the same in each - a side
window was broken by levering the glass with a tool similar to a large,
flat-head screwdriver. Items taken were near the broken windows; there
was no systematic theft of items from the vehicles and many valuable
items were left behind. Wallets, purses, backpacks and similar
containers were removed, then dumped after the valuables were taken.
Cash, some credit cards, cell phones and cameras were stolen. If you
have had similar car clouts in your park, please contact special agent
Dan Horner at 209-372-0361.
[Submitted by Dan Horner, Special
Agent, Yosemite NP]
02-493
Ocmulgee National Monument (GA)
Special Event: Annual Ocmulgee Indian Celebration
The eleventh annual Ocmulgee Indian Celebration was held over the
weekend from September 20 to September 22. About 17,000 people attended
the event, including over 4,500 fourth grade students on "school day."
Over 200 Native Americans from as far away as Oklahoma and Texas
participated in this year's event. Another 800 people attended the
Robert Mirabal concert held in conjunction with the celebration. Rangers
and staff from Andersonville, Kennesaw Mountain, Blue Ridge,
Chattahoochee, Chickamauga-Chattanooga, Cumberland Island, Horseshoe
Bend, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Southeast Regional Office assisted
park staff, local deputies, volunteers and Ocmulgee National Monument
Association staff with the event, which was managed under ICS. Chief
ranger Guy LaChine was IC. There were no major incidents.
[Submitted by Jim David, Superintendent, Ocmulgee NM]
02-494
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site (SC)
Special Event: Annual U.S. Naturalization Ceremony
The park hosted its fifth annual naturalization ceremony on September
17. This year, 189 people from 42 countries became America's newest
citizens. The program this year was particularly significant, as an
original copy of the Declaration of Independence was on site for the
day. This copy of the declaration, owned by television producer Norman
Lear, began a three-year tour of the United States in Charleston on
September 11, 2002. The combination of the naturalization ceremony and
the presence of the Declaration of Independence brought a
record-breaking 3,000 visitors to the park that day. The prior record
was about 450 visitors in one day, which was set during last year's
naturalization ceremony. There were no incidents. For more information
on the Declaration of Independence road trip, visit http://www.
independenceroadtrip.org .
[Submitted by Bill
Martin, Public Information Officer, Charles Pinckney NHS]
02-495
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (WV)
Visitors Assaulted by Gang of Escapees from the Pen
On Monday, September 16, two visitors made a cellular phone call to
the park and reported that they were being attacked by pigs in the
Maryland Heights section of the park. Ranger Ryan Levins found the two
visitors, who were uninjured by shaken up. Investigation revealed that
they'd avoided a noisy charge by six pigs by moving to cover and
throwing a rock at them. They were able to provide accurate descriptions
of their assailants, including length, color and types of snouts and
tails. Levins located two of the assailants on an adjacent property
owner's land, returned them to their pens, and left a note for the owner
asking that he repair his fence. At the time of the report, the other
four assailants were still at large. An APB has been issued and they've
been entered into NCIC.
[Submitted by Scot McElveen, Chief
Ranger, Harpers Ferry NHP]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Fire Situation
Preparedness Level 2
Initial attack was light on Wednesday in all areas. Eighty-four new fires were reported; one became a large fire.
Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in the following states: California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon and Utah.
National Resource Commitments
| Day |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
| Date |
9/18 |
9/19 |
9/20 |
9/21 |
9/22 |
9/23 |
9/24 |
9/25 |
| Crews |
87 |
116 |
83 |
83 |
76 |
126 |
189 |
193 |
| Engines |
217 |
315 |
183 |
178 |
174 |
242 |
481 |
551 |
| Helicopters |
40 |
33 |
23 |
23 |
36 |
41 |
61 |
67 |
| Air Tankers |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
| Overhead |
955 |
969 |
615 |
494 |
554 |
853 |
1,128 |
964 |
National Team Commitments
| State |
Type Team |
Team IC |
Fire/Location |
Acres 9/24 |
Acres 9/25 |
Percent Contain |
Est. Contain |
| CA |
T1 |
Raley |
Williams Fire, Angeles NF |
18,005 |
22,000 |
10 |
UNK |
| CA |
CDF T1 |
Johnson |
Croy Fire, Santa Clara |
1,639 |
2,529 |
25 |
9/28 |
| OR |
T2 |
Morcom |
Bowl Fire, Mt. Hood NF |
240 |
241 |
40 |
UNK |
| WA |
FUM |
Cones |
Quartz Mt. Complex, Okanogan NF |
8,087 |
10,821 |
0 |
UNK |
National Fire Highlights
Williams Fire, Angeles National Forest - Extreme fire behavior was observed in heavy brush. The fire has jumped Cattle Creek and is advancing northeast into the Sheep Mountain Wilderness Area. Crews are constructing fire lines and conducting burnout operations in steep, rugged terrain. Residents in the Mt. Baldy Village area and north of Azusa, Glendora, San Dimas and Upland remain evacuated; structure protection is in place.
Croy Fire, Santa Clara Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection - Extreme fire behavior was observed on portions of the fire in brush, oak and timber. Crews and dozers are constructing indirect attack fire lines on the west and north flanks. Redwood Retreat and Loma Chiquita were evacuated; structure protection is in place for 300 residences. Eleven residences have been confirmed lost and four residences sustained heavy damage.
Bowl Fire, Mount Hood National Forest - Moderate to low intensity fire behavior was observed in old growth timber. Crews are flanking the fire with direct attack lines, holding, and mopping up. A spot fire on the northwest flank was successfully suppressed. Structure protection is in place for a commercial property.
Quartz Mountain Complex, Okanogan National Forest - This complex, consisting of the Quartz Mountain, Middle Mountain, Lake and Beauty Peak fires, is in the Pasayten Wilderness Area, 33 miles northwest of Winthrop, Washington. Moderate fire behavior was observed in lodgepole pine, subalpine fir and Douglas fir. Personnel are patrolling and scouting the north flank of the Quartz Mountain fire.
Park Fire Situation
No reports today.
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.