99-57/99-401
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Follow-up on S.-P. Homicides
The jury that previously found C.S. guilty of the 1999
murders of C. and J.S. and S.P. has concluded
deliberations on the sentence and recommended to the court that he be
put to death. C.S. is already serving a life sentence for the murder
of naturalist J.A. in the park. Sentencing is set for December
12. For the full story, see the Sacramento Bee story at
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/4736100p-5752025c.html.
02-529
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Marijuana Growers Arrested
On October 8, NPS investigators participated in the simultaneous
execution of 19 federal and state search warrants on residences in
Tulare, Fresno and Madera Counties in the latest development in the
six-month-long, multi-agency investigation (Operation Big Foot) into
marijuana cultivation within the park and on nearby public and private
lands. Twenty-four people were arrested, most of them undocumented
aliens associated with a Mexican cartel responsible for numerous
marijuana plantations in the Sierras. Rangers and agents joined officers
and agents from DEA, Border Patrol, INS, the Forest Service, the
California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement and the Tulare County
Sheriff's Office in the serving of warrants on two of the residences,
located in the community of Yettem in northern Tulare County. Five
people were arrested. All are believed to be higher level members of the
drug organization. About 200 officers participated in the overall
operations. They seized a total of about $45,000 and numerous firearms,
including shotguns, semi-automatic pistols and assault rifles. Some
processed marijuana and other contraband were also seized. For an
article on the eradication operations that have taken place this year,
go to the Sacramento Bee web page at
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/4643366p-5661630c.html.
[Submitted by Al DeLaCruz, Special Agent]
02-530
Hot Springs National Park (AR)
Structural Fire
A fire was spotted in the Libbey Memorial Physical Medicine
Center/Hot Springs Health Spa around 1 a.m. on the morning of Wednesday,
October 9. The building is operated by a park concessioner. The fire
apparently started from a candle left burning after hours in a massage
room on the second floor. There was fire damage to the room, and the
blaze spread to adjoining areas. The city fire department responded and
suppressed the fire quickly. The greatest impact on the building was
caused by smoke. Damage estimates and repairs are underway. Most repairs
should be completed by the weekend, and the Libbey remains open. The
concessioner was/is aware that candles are prohibited in the building.
[Submitted by Roger Giddings, Superintendent]
02-531
Shenandoah National Park (VA)
Search for Suspected Sniper
On the morning of October 9, the park received a BOL (be on the
lookout) message from Front Royal PD for a white box truck similar to
the one associated with the recent series of sniper shootings in
Maryland and Virginia. Because the vehicle had been seen near the park,
employees were moved from highly public areas to safer locations.
Skyline Drive and developed areas were thoroughly checked, but no sign
of the truck was found. A local citizen mistakenly assumed that the
search meant that the sniper was in the park, which led to some local
concern and media interest. Park law enforcement staff worked with local
agencies to quickly ascertain that neither the vehicle nor a suspect
appeared to be in or near the park.
[Submitted by Greg
Stiles, Assistant Chief Ranger]
02-532
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Technical Rescue from Lost Brothers Climbing Route
On the afternoon of September 28, park dispatch received an emergency
cell phone call from a man who reported that his climbing partner was
injured on the Lost Brother on the south wall of Yosemite Valley. P.M.,
55, and his two partners, all from the Sacramento area, were
climbing the historic (and seldom climbed) route when P.M. took a
leader fall and ended up hanging injured several feet above his
belayer's stance. P.M.'s partners cut him lose from the ropes,
secured him at the belay stance, and placed the cell phone call to get
help. Rangers and YOSAR team members climbed about 1,000 feet above the
Valley floor to P.M.'s position and began medical treatment. P.M.
was lowered about 100 feet to a more secure location on a ledge just as
darkness fell. It had been raining periodically all day and the heavy
cloud cover prevented using a helicopter short haul to evacuate P.M..
The extremely loose rock made a lowering operation very hazardous.
P.M.'s condition was stable, so SAR tech/parkmedic Keith Tampa and
YOSAR team member Micah Dash stayed on the cliff through the night,
monitoring his condition. Early the next morning, the park contract
helicopter short hauled P.M. off the cliff to El Capitan Meadow. He
was then taken by ambulance to the Yosemite Medical Clinic, where he was
diagnosed with a pneumothorax and a broken hip. He was flown out of
Yosemite Valley by helicopter ambulance for further medical treatment.
[Submitted by Ed Visnovske, Park Ranger/Incident
Commander]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Park Fire Situation
Sequoia/Kings Canyon NPs (CA) - Following numerous postponements, fire crews began lighting the 507-acre Tar Gap Rx Fire in the Mineral King area yesterday morning. It will probably take four to five days to burn the entire parcel, which is located south of the East Fork of the Kaweah River, east of the Atwell/Hockett trail, and southwest of Silver City. Elsewhere in the park:
- Two Type 1 hotshot crews are building line around the 10-acre Yucca Fire, which is a mile north of Crystal Cave.Two helicopters are making water drops on the lightning-caused fire.
- The half-acre, lightning-caused Redwood Fire is being managed for resource benefits. Natural spread is being allowed. Four fire monitors are on scene.
- The Palisade Fire, which has been burning since the summer, has now consumed 1,497 acres. It continues to grow slowly.
- The 70-acre Slide Fire, also being managed for resource benefits, continues to burn on the west side of Slide Creek.
[Submitted by Jody Lyle, Fire Information Officer]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL,MS)
GS-1640-9/11 Facility Manager
The park is currently advertising for a GS-1640-9/11 facility manager. This position is located in the Mississippi District and is open to permanent federal employees governmentwide and VEOA eligibles. The announcement opens October 11 and closes October 25. The person selected serves as the facility manager for the Mississippi District and is responsible for the planning, scheduling, coordination and implementation of all maintenance programs assigned to the district to the extent of authority delegated. This includes supervision of a workforce that is widely dispersed in various locations, including several islands located 12 miles offshore that are accessible only by boat or aircraft. If you are interested in this position and would like more information, please contact the park job line at 850-934-2601 and request a copy of the job announcement, or visit www.usajobs.opm.gov, where you can view or download the announcement (GUIS P03-01).
[Submitted by Kitty Lewis]
Lava Beds National Monument (CA)
WL-4749-09 Maintenance Mechanic Leader
The park is currently advertising on USA Jobs for a WL-4749-09 maintenance mechanic leader. The person selected will provide leadership in the maintenance and rehabilitation of park housing, buildings, roads, trails and campgrounds. He/she will both provide leadership at the job site and organize, set and assign work priorities for from one to eight employees. This position promises to challenge and provide career-enhancing opportunities. The USA Jobs vacancy announcement is PGSO-02-174-DEU/MPP; it will close on October 25. For more information, please contact maintenance chief Jim Deshayes at 530-667-2282 ext. 234.
[Submitted by Mike Flanagan, Administrative Technician]
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.