02-500
Pinnacles National Monument (CA)
Dehydration Fatality
On the afternoon of September 23, park staff responded to a report of
two people suffering from dehydration on the High Peaks trail on the
park's east side. G.H., 83, and his wife, B.H., 79, had
begun their hike from the Moses Spring parking lot at 8:30 a.m. The hike
brought them to the Scout Peak area, a trek that includes a 1,300-foot
elevation gain over about two miles. The mid-day high temperature hit
106 degrees, and the H.s had only a soda and a small snack over the
course of the day. At 3:30 p.m., a visitor contacted rangers and told
them that two elderly people were suffering heat problems on the High
Peaks trail. Ranger Kyle Johnson accompanied him up the trail. They
first encountered G.H., who was in stable but serious condition,
then continued another half mile up the trail to B.H.. Within a
few minutes of their arrival, she went into cardiac arrest and Johnson
began CPR. Ranger Eduardo Alfaro had meanwhile reached G.H. and
begun treating him for severe heat exhaustion and preparing him for
evacuation. California Division of Forestry personnel joined the rangers
and began assisting with evacuation and medical care. After over an hour
of no cardiac function, medics and life flight nurses were able to
temporarily restore B.H.'s pulse, but she succumbed during her
flight to the hospital. G.H. was taken by ambulance to a local
hospital, where he was treated and released in the evening. Nineteen
park staff members from all divisions participated in the operation.
This was the second major heat-related case in the park within three
weeks.
[Submitted by Neal Labrie, DR, East District, PINN]
02-501
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site (KY)
Suspicious Person
A man walked into a restaurant in Hodgenville on the evening of
September 23 and asked the night manager for directions to Lincoln's
birthplace. The manager provided directions to the man, who then asked
if the site was "well ventilated." The manager assumed that he was
talking about the park itself, which is located in a wooded area outside
of town, so answered in the affirmative. The man replied: "Good, good,
well ventilated, that's all I need to know." He then walked out of the
restaurant without purchasing anything. The manager was unable to see
his vehicle, but was subsequently able to provide a description to state
police the next day, including the fact that he appeared to be of Middle
Eastern ancestry. State police officers in turn notified the park, and
staff conducted a quick search of the facility. No suspicious items were
found, nor have there been any suspicious persons in the park since the
incident occurred. Rangers at nearby Mammoth Cave NP will be notified of
any further developments.
[Submitted by Brad McDougal, SA,
MACA]
02-502
Independence National Historical Park (PA)
Special Event: Prince Andrew Visits Park
On Sunday, September 22, Prince Andrew of Great Britain visited the
park for a ceremony welcoming him to Philadelphia. After visiting
Independence Hall, Prince Andrew received a "Liberty Bowl" from
Philadelphia Mayor John Street, inspected members of the First City
Troop of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, and addressed a crowd of
several hundred visitors. Andrew is the first member of the British
royal family to visit the park since the visit of his parents, Queen
Elizabeth and Prince Philip, for the bicentennial of the Declaration of
Independence in 1976. Park law enforcement rangers cooperated with the
Philadelphia Police Department's Dignitary Protection Unit. No incidents
were reported.
[Submitted by Phil Sheridan, PIO, INDE]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Fire Situation
Preparedness Level 2
Initial attack remained light nationwide. Seventy-seven new fires were reported, none of which escaped containment. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon and South Dakota.
National Resource Commitments
| Day |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
Sun |
Mon |
| Date |
9/23 |
9/24 |
9/25 |
9/26 |
9/27 |
9/28 |
9/29 |
9/30 |
| Crews |
126 |
189 |
193 |
205 |
229 |
204 |
162 |
130 |
| Engines |
242 |
481 |
551 |
630 |
562 |
458 |
341 |
270 |
| Helicopters |
41 |
61 |
67 |
64 |
57 |
52 |
47 |
37 |
| Air Tankers |
5 |
4 |
3 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
| Overhead |
853 |
1,128 |
964 |
1,172 |
1,270 |
1,318 |
1,222 |
1,189 |
National Team Commitments
| State |
Type Team |
Team IC |
Fire/Location |
Acres 9/29 |
Acres 9/30 |
Percent Contain |
Est. Contain |
| CA |
T1 |
Raley |
Williams Fire, Angeles NF |
36,265 |
36,530 |
90 |
10/7 |
| CA |
T2 |
Carlson |
Cone Fire, Lassen NF |
2,006 |
2,006 |
100 |
CND |
National Fire Highlights
Williams Fire, Angeles National Forest - Fire activity was limited to smoldering in heavy brush. Crews and helicopters are burning out and mopping up.
[Submitted by NICC Incident Management Situation Report]
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (OR)
Park Fire Situation
Thanks to the efforts of several partners, assistance from staff from other parks, and a good weather window, the park was able to complete two extensive prescribed burns over a one week period. The Sand Mountain Rx Fire included a large portion of the Painted Hills Unit of the park. BLM completed the bulk of the planning for this burn, with additional input and special considerations covered by NPS staff. Blacklining of the perimeter began on September 20 and continued the next day. Aerial ignition of the interior of the unit was completed by a BLM helicopter on September 22. Park staff and firefighters from the Buffalo NR fire use module assisted with blacklining and holding operations. A total of 5,300 acres of hazard fuels reduction was completed. This included 1,780 acres of NPS and 3,520 acres of BLM lands. On September 24, a state burn permit and the weather made it possible to begin the second prescribed burn. This burn was called the Middle Mountain Rx Burn and occurred in the Sheep Rock Unit of the park and on the adjoining private and BLM lands. This made it possible to use a remote access road, a ranch road, the John Day River, an agricultural field, and a highway as safe and manageable perimeter lines. Park staff completed the planning for this burn and firefighters in the Buffalo NR fire use module worked for a week prior to the burn to reduce fuel amounts in critical areas around the perimeter. Over six miles of blacklining occurred on September 24 and 25, including protection of two private residences and an NPS trailhead and public use area. A BLM helicopter completed the aerial ignition with the assistance of NPS personnel on the afternoon of September 25. Two crews from BLM, three from the Forest Service, one from the Oregon Department of Forestry and one from a local private company all assisted in blacklining and holding operations. The burn boss and ignition specialist were from Buffalo NR, the deputy burn boss and ignition specialist trainee were from Denali NP, and the holding boss was a local private contractor. This unique partnership made it possible to reduce hazard fuels on 3,380 acres - 1,120 in the park. An approaching wet weather system closed the burn window the following day.
[Submitted by Ken Hyde, Chief of Integrated Resources, John Day Fossil Beds NM]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Law Enforcement and Emergency Services
Temporary Appointment Authority Extension
On Friday, the National Park Service was notified by DOI that OPM will approve the agency's request to extend the 1039 temporary appointing authority for fire and LE personnel beyond the September 30 expiration date. It's not yet known how long the authority will be extended, but the hope is that it will be for a full year. WASO will be advising regions and offices when the authority is granted.
[Submitted by Dennis Burnett, Ranger Activities Division, WASO]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Northeast Region
Park Manager (Superintendent)/Program Manager, Acadia National Park
Dates: 09/24/2002 - 11/26/2002
The Northeast Region is recruiting for either a Park Manager (Superintendent) GS-0025-14/15 or a Program Manager GS-0340-14/15 at Acadia NP (ACAD), duty stationed in Bar Harbor, ME. See merit promotion job announcements BOSO-02-15 or BOSO-02-16 respectively on www.usajobs.opm.gov. Both announcements close on 11/26/02.
[Submitted by Christine Mac Donald, christine_mac_donald@nps.gov, 617-223-5118] More Information...
Northeast Region
Park Manager (Superintendent)/Program Manager, Fire Island National Seashore
Dates: 07/30/2002 - 10/30/2002
The Northeast Region is recruiting for either a Park Manager (Superintendent) GS-0025-14/15 or a Program Manager GS-0340-14/15 at Fire Island National Seashore (FIIS), duty stationed in Patchogue, NY. See merit promotion job announcements BOSO-02-10 or BOSO-02-11 respectively on www.usajobs.opm.gov. Both announcements close on 10/30/02.
[Submitted by Christine Mac Donald, christine_mac_donald@nps.gov, 617-223-5118] More Information...
Northeast Region
Park Manager (Superintendent)/Program Manager, Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
Dates: 09/13/2002 - 11/04/2005
The Northeast Region is recruiting for either a Park Manager (Superintendent) GS-0025-12/13 or a Program Manager GS-0340-12/13 at Martin Van Buren NHS (MAVA), duty stationed in Kinderhook, NY. See merit promotion job announcements BOSO-02-13 or BOSO-02-14 respectively on www.usajobs.opm.gov. Both announcements close on 11/04/02.
[Submitted by Christine Mac Donald, christine_mac_donald@nps.gov, 617-223-5118] More Information...
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.