02-226
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Follow-up on Serious Vandalism Incident
On June 1, M.A.T., 19, of Riverside, California, was
arrested by rangers in Yosemite Valley for being under the influence of
alcohol and for 43 counts of "tagging" cars, rocks, trees and buildings
with spray paint (tagging is an act of vandalism, often associated with
gangs, that is used to mark territory). A 17-year-old
juvenile was also charged for the tagging. On October 15, M.A.T. was
sentenced in Yosemite's federal magistrate's court after pleading guilty
to 10 counts of vandalism under the terms of a plea agreement. He was
placed on two years' probation, ordered to make restitution to the
victims to cover clean-up costs, and sentenced to 120 days in the
custody of the Bureau of Prisons. No fine was ordered because of
M.A.T.'s inability to pay one. The prosecution of the juvenile is
continuing.
[Submitted by Cheri Murdock, Prosecutor]
02-554
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ,UT)
Fifteen Visitors Poisoned by Carbon Monoxide
Fifteen visitors were poisoned by carbon monoxide while vacationing
on Lake Powell in two separate incidents on the morning of October 4.
The first call came in via marine band radio, reporting that nine people
and a dog were all vomiting. Wahweap rangers Eric Scott, Jared St.
Clair, Brian Bloom and Matt Fisher responded to the privately-owned
houseboat, which was located in Crosby Canyon. Six of the boat's
occupants were flown to Page Hospital, two were transported by park
staff, and one was treated on scene. The dog recovered quickly. Carbon
monoxide levels ranger from 19% to 43%, yet all survived. As the dust
was settling from this early-morning callout, dispatch received another
call from Bullfrog North Central dispatch center reporting that six
people were heading for the Bullfrog public launch ramp, all of them
with signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. They were treated and released
from Bullfrog Clinic. Ranger Brian Sacia and district ranger Greg Moss
assisted. Carbon monoxide levels ranged from 18% to 24% in these six
victims. Both houseboats are older models - mono-hulls with a
construction style which provides avenues for the gas to migrate beneath
the hull and seep into cabin areas. Fans in the two boats had either not
been turned on or had been disconnected, and the generator in the Crosby
Canyon houseboat had been left on all night.
[Submitted by
Cindy Ott-Jones, Chief Ranger]
02-555
Fossil Butte National Monument (WY)
Deer Poaching
While patrolling the park's boundary on October 11, seasonal ranger
Nathan Plants was contacted by R.H. of Logan, Utah. R.H.
asked the ranger for assistance in retrieving a deer that his son,
T.H., 22, had shot and killed. When R.H. pointed to the spot where
his son shot the deer, Plants advised him that he'd done so within the
park. Thomas R.H. admitted to crossing the signed boundary fence and
shooting the six-point mule deer. The deer was seized. T.H.
was cited for taking wildlife ($500) and forfeited his antlered deer tag
($210). The deer was later turned over the Wyoming State Game and Fish,
then donated to a local family in need.
[Submitted by Vincent
Santucci, Chief Ranger]
02-556
Buffalo National River (AR)
Elk Poaching
On April 6, ranger Sean Isham discovered a pregnant cow elk that had
recently been shot, killed and left to decay in a remote area of the
park's middle district. Only a small portion of meat had been removed
from the animal's back. A four-month-long cooperative investigation by
the NPS, Arkansas Game and Fish, and US Fish and Wildlife produced
evidence that led to the confession by a local resident in July.
J.M. confessed to shooting and killing the animal just a couple of
hours before Isham found it. Arkansas state charges were filed, and
J.M. was subsequently found guilty. On September 25, he was
sentenced to ten days in jail, fined $4,200, and ordered to forfeit his
weapons. Elk are a protected species within the park and throughout the
state. Although elk are native to the Buffalo River area, they'd
vanished by the 1840s. Between 1981 and 1985, a total of 112 Rocky
Mountain elk were released at five sites in Newton County by Arkansas
Fish and Game. Over 400 elk currently live in or adjacent to the park in
Newton and Searcy Counties. Although surveys show that they are
reproducing, elk deaths due to poaching, injuries and disease are
slowing the increase in population.
[Submitted by Bruce
Cunningham, Law Enforcement Specialist, MWRO]
02-557
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Climbing Fatality
Climbers at Cookie Cliff heard a rockfall late on the morning of
October 15. "The Cookie" is a popular Yosemite day use climbing area in
the Merced River canyon below Yosemite Valley. Later that afternoon, two
climbers found the body of 23-year-old P.J. at the base of the
cliff near the point where the rockfall had occurred. A sling anchor was
found set-up near the top of the cliff, 150 to 200 feet directly above
the body, and a rope was found unattached to anything hung-up on the
cliff. It is likely that P.J. had fallen at the same time that the
rockfall occurred. It appears that he was alone and preparing to rappel
when the accident occurred. The accident remains under investigation.
[Submitted by Mark Harvey, El Portal Subdistrict
Ranger/Incident Commander]
02-558
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Search and Rescue
On the afternoon of October 18, Lake Mead dispatch received a report
that a man had sustained injuries in a fall of approximately 30 feet.
The injured party was located a half mile up Boy Scout Canyon, a side
canyon off the Colorado River. All rescue personnel had to be ferried to
the location by boat, as the accident site could only be reached from
the river. The 72-year-old Polish national had a broken ankle and
possible back injuries, which he sustained when he slipped on wet rocks
and fell over a 30 foot cliff. Reaching and moving the victim required
technical rescue procedures. Multiple belayed lowering stations and
highline techniques were used to negotiate the litter through steep and
narrow sections of the canyon. The operation extended into the night,
with the last lowering operation being carried out in total darkness.
Rangers transported rescuers to and from the incident location during
extreme hazard conditions due to low water, multiple reefs and strong,
fast currents.
[Submitted by Jim Barnes, Park Ranger]
02-559
Big Bend National Park (TX)
SAR with Visitor Fatality
Rangers received a report of a dehydrated hiker on the Marufo Vega
trail in the Dead Horse Mountains area of the Boquillas District on the
evening of October 12. About an hour later, they found 29-year-old
C.S. of Austin Texas, lying near the trail. He was
unresponsive and showed no signs of life. His friend, who had been day
hiking the rugged 14-mile trail with C.S., said that he'd attempted
CPR, but had been unsuccessful. Rangers and Border Patrol officers began
a death investigation. Rangers spent the night on scene and assisted the
Brewster County justice of the peace with the removal of the body the
next morning. Autopsy results are pending. David Yim was IC.
[Submitted by CRO]
02-560
Boston National Historical Park (MA)
Drug Overdose; Victim Rescued
Rangers received and checked out a report of an intoxicated man who
was having trouble walking at Charlestown Navy Yard on October 4. When
they arrived on scene, they found one of the rangers detailed to the
park for homeland security attending to the man. Boston NHP rangers
immediately recognized him as a known local heroin addict. He slipped
into unconsciousness and stopped breathing shortly thereafter. Rangers
immediately began rescue breathing utilizing a bag valve mask, taking
all necessary medical precautions. About eight minutes after efforts to
resuscitate the man began, Boston EMS arrived on scene and took over.
The man had previously been arrested for possession of heroin and
cocaine and for assaulting one of the park's LE rangers. He's known to
be infected with hepatitis C and possibly HIV.
[Submitted by
Glenn Van Neil, Special Agent]
02-561
Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL,MS)
Suicide
On October 13, ranger Ben Bryant stopped to help B.S., 42,
with a grounded vessel on the northeast end of West Ship Island. Bryant
then left on patrol. When he returned about an hour later, he found that
B.S. had shot himself. At the time of the initial contact, there were
no indications that B.S. was suicidal. Due to the rough weather, there
were no other visitors on the island. The Coast Guard transported a
criminal investigator from the Harrison County Sheriff's Office to the
island to assist with the investigation.
[Submitted by
CRO]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Park Fire Situation
Crews continue to work on the Tar Gap Rx Fire in the Mineral King
area. Although fire activity is minimal within fire lines, logs are
rolling downhill and igniting other fuels outside the burn segment.
Crews are accordingly patrolling lines to assure that all are secure.
The areas burning outside the segment (about 40 acres) are located in a
section of the park which is scheduled for a prescribed fire next year.
Meanwhile, Firestorm, a private contracting company, has completed the
second half of a 20-acre mechanical fuel reduction project around the
private community of Silver City, also in the Mineral King area. While
the mechanical work was not scheduled for completion until next year,
fire managers decided to bring Firestorm back to Silver City this year
to capitalize on their excellent work to date. The first ten acres was
completed in early August. The project involved the mechanical removal
of dead and down material and the thinning of small trees in a 200-foot
zone around the community. Most of the material was piled up for burning
some time this winter.
[Submitted by Jody Lyle, Fire
Information Specialist]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Everglades National Park (FL)
November 12-15: EMT Basic Refresher
Location: Everglades NP, FL
Everglades will be hosting an EMT basic refresher from November 12 to 15. Course topics include the following:
- Legal issues affecting EMS
- CPR and AED refreshers
- Helicopter hoist training
- OB-GYN emergencies
- Chest trauma
- Shock
- Respiratory emergencies
There's no tuition. Accommodtions are not available in the park, but there's plenty of lodging in the area. Space is limited. Contact Bill Raften for detailed information. He can be reached at 239-695-3094.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (MI)
Supervisory Park Ranger (Protection)
Dates: 10/25/2002 - 11/07/2002
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is currently recruiting for a GS-11 Supervisory Park Ranger (Protection) to supervise the day-to-day field operations of the Visitor Services and Land Management Division at PIRO. Incumbent reports directly to the Chief Ranger. The position is covered by 6(c). The vacancy is currently advertised on USA Jobs and closes on November 7. Vacancy announcement number is SLBE 03-01. Duty station is Grand Marais, Michigan. This position is designated as "Required Occupancy". For additional information, contact Chief Ranger Larry Hach at 906-387-2607.
[Submitted by Larry Hach, Chief Ranger, larry_hach@nps.gov, 906-387-2607]
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.