Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HI)
Search for Missing Hiker
Rangers began a ground and air search for a missing hiker in the
eruption area on the morning of June 13th. The park had received a call
from a hotel in Kailua-Kona reporting that a guest was missing and had
not used his room since June 4th. He was identified as T.L.,
44, of Indiana. An hour later, rangers found his rental car at the
eruption site at the end of Chain of Craters Road. T.L. had last been
seen hiking in the area on the morning of June 6th. The search was
suspended for two days after the helicopter accident that killed four
people on June 15th due to the number of people assigned to the crash
scene, then resumed on the 17th. Thirty park employees searched on the
ground and from the air, but no sign of T.L. was found. The search has
now been scaled back to foot patrols in the eruption site.
[Submitted by Phil Akers, IC]
Biscayne National Park (FL)
Conviction in Car Clouting Case
Last week, T.H. was sentenced to 32 months in prison
following his conviction on charges stemming from a burglary he
committed in the park on January 11th. On that date, rangers pulled him
over to question him about a burglary that had just occurred in the
visitor center parking lot. T.H. fled, though, driving his Chevy
Avalanche at speeds of more than 100 mph against southbound traffic on
Speedway Boulevard in Homestead. During his flight from arrest, T.H.
hit numerous road signs, crossed into the center median and struck a
bridge before finally coming to a stop due to a blown tire and severe
damage to the truck. When apprehended, T.H. had burglary tools, cash,
and stolen property in his possession. Prior to his arrest, there had
been a rash of car clouts in both Biscayne and Everglades and at other
area visitor attractions. Those burglaries have since diminished.
T.H., who has a prior criminal record for similar offenses, was also
sentenced to 100 hours of community service and ordered to attend an
anger management and drug abuse program while serving a three-year term
of supervised release.
[Submitted by Didier Carod]
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
High Speed Pursuit and Drug Arrest
Rangers stopped a 1995 Mercury Cougar at the Border Patrol checkpoint
on Highway 85 at the park's north boundary on June 17th. The expired
plate displayed a current sticker but was registered to a 1977
Oldsmobile. The driver could provide no identification, proof of
insurance or registration. When questioned further, he became nervous,
stepped on the gas and turned around in oncoming traffic before fleeing
at a high rate of speed back towards Mexico. There were seven cars and
several marked patrol units at the checkpoint in both lanes of traffic
and in secondary lanes at the time. Three park and four Border Patrol
units pursued the vehicle at speeds of 100 mph for 14 miles before the
driver went off the road and fled on foot. He was taken into custody at
gunpoint less than 100 yards from the vehicle as an Arizona Army
National Guard helicopter hovered overhead. The vehicle contained 165
pounds of marijuana in false compartments in the rear bumper, back seat,
quarter panels and dashboard. F.W., 30, a fugitive from justice
wanted by the North Carolina Division of Prisons and the Kentucky State
Police, later admitted to being paid $1500 to deliver the load to
Phoenix. He is facing charges for narcotics possession, reckless
endangerment and assault. The case is being handled by NPS special agent
Susan Morton and a Customs special agent.
[Submitted by Bo Stone,
Park Ranger]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Situation Report - Monday, June 23, 2003
Preparedness Level 2
NIFC reported 150 new fires on Friday, 107 on Saturday, and 72 yesterday. Four new large fires were reported on Sunday in the Southwest.
The most significant of the large fires currently burning is the Aspen Fire in the Coronado NF. The fire, being managed by Humphrey's Type 1 team, burned down about 210 houses late last week in Lower Soldier, Summerhaven and Loma Linda. Another 90 residences are still threatened. There are also two large fires burning in national parks (see below).
Fire Danger
|
Day |
6/18 |
6/19 |
6/20 |
6/21 |
6/22 |
6/23 |
|
Alaska |
VX |
-- |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Arizona |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
California |
VX |
VX |
-- |
VX |
-- |
-- |
|
Colorado |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Idaho |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
Nevada |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
New Mexico |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Oklahoma |
VX |
-- |
VX |
-- |
VX |
VX |
|
Oregon |
VX |
VX |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
Texas |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Utah |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Washington |
VX |
VX |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
Wyoming |
-- |
-- |
VX |
-- |
-- |
-- |
VH — Very high
EX — Extreme
VX — Very high to extreme
Fire Weather Watches and Warnings
FIRE WEATHER WATCHES have been issued for:
- Winds and low relative humidity for the lower elevations in western and south central Colorado.
- Strong winds and low relative humidity for eastern Utah.
- Strong late-day winds, very high to extreme fire danger and low relative humidity for southern Nevada.
- Strong southwest winds, low humidity and high fire danger for northwest Arizona and for northwest and north central New Mexico.
RED FLAG WARNINGS have been issued for:
- Strong winds and low relative humidity in west central and southwestern Utah.
- Strong winds, very high/extreme fire danger and low relative humidity in Nevada.
- Strong southwest winds, low humidity and high fire danger for much of northern Arizona.
National Resource Commitments
|
Day |
6/17 |
6/18 |
6/19 |
6/20 |
6/21 |
6/22 |
6/23 |
|
Crews |
50 |
105 |
131 |
132 |
135 |
130 |
131 |
|
Engines |
123 |
188 |
198 |
180 |
164 |
122 |
123 |
|
Helicopters |
24 |
45 |
36 |
34 |
39 |
31 |
41 |
|
Air Tankers |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Overhead |
796 |
286 |
410 |
993 |
1,129 |
1,192 |
1,288 |
National Team Commitments
|
State |
Type Team |
Team IC |
Fire/Location |
Acres |
Percent Contain |
Est Full Contain |
|
AZ |
T1 |
Humphrey |
Aspen Fire Coronado NF |
7,534 |
5% |
UNK |
|
AZ |
T1 |
Oltrogge |
Cherry Fire Prescott NF |
1,000 |
100% |
CND |
|
AZ |
T2 |
Behrens |
Picture Fire Tonto NF |
11,233 |
50% |
6/26 |
|
AZ |
T2 |
Raley |
Helen 2 Fire Saguaro NP |
850 |
35% |
6/26 |
|
AZ |
T2 |
Bradley |
Ash Fire Coronado NF |
1,000 |
50% |
6/23 |
|
NM |
FUM |
Goheen |
Dry Lakes Complex Gila NF |
22,400 |
0% |
UNK |
|
AZ |
FUM |
Kitchen |
Powell Fire Grand Canyon NP |
660 |
0% |
UNK |
Saguaro National Park (AZ)
Helen 2 Fire
The Helen 2 Fire has burned 850 acres. Raley's Type 2 team is managing the fire. Upslope runs, torching and short range spotting in ponderosa pine, mixed conifer and brush were reported on Sunday. Crews are constructing lines on the north, northwest and northeast flanks. Resource commitments: 406 firefighters and overhead (including 14 crews) and three helicopters.
Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Powell Fire
The lightning-caused Powell Fire has burned 660 acres and is being managed for resource benefits. It's burning in timber with heavy ground fuels. Active fire behavior was reported yesterday, with backing, creeping and occasional torching. Resource commitments: 25 firefighters and overhead.
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Servicewide Training
Weekly Listing of Operations Training Opportunities
Operations Training Calendar
This calendar appears every Monday as an addendum to the Morning Report and a separate entry for InsideNPS. It is not meant to be replace the Learning Place; rather it is a quick summary of available training with links (as available) to relevant Learning Place pages. Please note:
- New and revised entries are in bold face.
- Submissions for other training courses should conform to the style used here.
- Please include the URL to the web sites where readers can obtain the requisite forms and/or find out additional information about the training course. If a URL is not specifically listed, the announcement can likely be found on the Learning Place, the NPS training page found at http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/index.doc.
- Closing dates for applications are underscored.
**********************************************************************************************
June
June 26: Safety Management Information System (SMIS): A Valuable Resource for Supervisors, TELNPS training course. DOI has updated SMIS to make it a user-friendly, web-based accident reporting system. SMIS can be a valuable tool in helping parks identify accident causes and measures to prevent future accidents. Supervisors are required to use SMIS to report accidents or injuries when they occur. The workshop is designed to help supervisors understand how to correctly use SMIS to report and record employee accidents and injuries. The workshop will be offered twice on the 26th to accommodate time zones, works schedules and course demand. Closes on June 17th. [Risk Management, WASO]
July
July 29 — August 7: Basic Law Enforcement for Supervisors (BLESTP-307), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on June 30th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
August
August 4 — August 14: Driver Instructor (DITP-302), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on June 26th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
August 4 — August 15: Defensive Tactics Instructor (DTITP-302), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on June 26th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
August 5 — August 14: White Collar Crimes (WCCTP-303), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on June 30th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
August 5 — August 8: Fundamentals of Special Park Uses, Albuquerque, NM. There are still spaces available for this course, which provides comprehensive guidance on all aspects of special park uses, from First Amendment issues to filming and photography to wireless telecommunications sites. Added this year is a component on temporary food services and other health and safety issues related to special park uses. NPS Management Policies, 36 CFR, and DO-53 and RM-53 will be covered in depth. NOTE: This is the only course offering this year. Closes on June 27th. Email nomination forms via Lotus Notes to Margie Fresquez or fax them to her at 505-988-6099. Fore more information, contact either Lee Dickinson in WASO (202-513-7092), or Delpha Maunders in Santa Fe (505-988-6015). [Delpha Maunders, IMRO]
August 11 — August 15: Archeological Resource Protection Training (XP-ARPTP-301), Milwaukee, WI. Closes on June 26th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
August 11 — August 22: Firearms Instructor (FITP-309), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on June 30th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
August 18 — August 29: Technical Investigative Equipment (TIETP-309), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on July 3rd. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
September
September 8 — September 19: Small Craft Enforcement (SCETP-301), FLETC, Glynco, GA.. Closes on August 5th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
September 8 — September 19: Physical Security (PSTP-308), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on July 28th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
September 9 — September 18: Basic Law Enforcement for Supervisors (BLESTP-308), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on July 29th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
September 9 — September 18: White Collar Crimes (WCCTP-304), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on July 30th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
September 15 — September 26: Firearms Instructor (FITP-310), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on July 28th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (CA)
GS-9 Law Enforcement Ranger
The park has a vacancy announcement posted on USA Jobs for a GS-9 law enforcement ranger. The announcement closes on July 14th. The ranger selected will be responsible for insuring compliance with park regulations and educating visitors on the importance of park resources. She/he must be available to work nights, holidays and weekends. For more information, call human resources specialist Marina Briones-Dirk at 805-370-2320 or branch chief Bryan Sutton at 805-370-2306.
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.