Editor's Desk
Technical Problem
This morning, those of you who get the automated direct mailing of
the Morning Report received a message saying "Connection Failure."
Actually, you received it twice, because the system failed both times I
tried to transmit the report. That problem has been rectified, and
today's edition follows.
[Submitted by Bill Halainen]
INCIDENTS
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Rock Fall Closes Trail, Injures Three
A significant rockfall occurred in the park around noon on July 17th.
The rocks fell from the Panorama Cliffs and came down on the John Muir
Trail at a point roughly six switchbacks above the John Muir Trail/Mist
Trail junction near the Vernal Fall footbridge. At least three visitors
were injured in the rockfall a 33-year-old man suffered a head
injury, a 30-year-old woman suffered a leg fracture, and a 21-month-old
child sustained unknown injuries. The trail was closed. At the time of
the report, park staff were assessing the area to determine the extent
of the rockfall, the amount of damage to the trail, and the danger of
further falls.
[Submitted by Public Affairs]
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Climber Killed When Rappel Anchor Fails
Tuolumne rangers received a cell phone call on the afternoon of July
2nd, reporting that a climber had fallen on the West Pillar of Eichorn
Pinnacle route on Cathedral Peak. M.L., 48, of Tahoe City,
California, was climbing with three other friends. One of the group was
having trouble and they all decided to rappel off the mountain. A rappel
was rigged from an existing anchor, which consisted of webbing and cord
that was evidently threaded behind a constriction in a finger-width
crack. The lead climber rappelled down 25 feet to M.L.'s position. M.L.
then rappelled from there. When he was 25 feet down, the rappel anchor
failed and M.L. fell approximately 230 feet to the base of the route,
sustaining mortal injuries. The rappel anchor was found intact on the
ground with the rappel rope still attached. The climber who rigged the
rappel told rangers that he had evaluated the anchor by tugging on it
several times, but did not thoroughly inspect it visually. One of other
climbers ran down the trail to the Tioga Road and reported the incident
to rangers via cell phone. Rangers responded to the accident scene in
the park helicopter and on foot to investigate and recover M.L.'s body.
Just before dusk, the body was flown off the peak by long line. [George
Paiva, SAR Coordinator, Tuolumne
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Sex Crime Arrest
On the morning of July 6th, a seven-year-old boy reported that a male
stranger molested him on a trail near the General Sherman Tree in
Sequoia National Park. The boy immediately reported the incident to his
family; within a couple of minutes after they began searching the
immediate area, the boy pointed out his assailant to his family. Family
members detained the man and reported the incident to park fire
personnel who happened to be in the area. No witnesses to the alleged
incident were located. The suspect, a 66-year-old man who recently
arrived in the country from the Republic of the Philippines, invoked his
right to an attorney. Rangers Pete Webster and Chris Waldschmidt
conducted the preliminary investigation, NPS and FBI special agents are
continuing the investigation.
[Submitted by Bob Wilson, Law
Enforcement Specialist]
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (TX)
Special Event: Visit By President Of Spain
On July 13th, the president of Spain, Jose Aznar, visited Mission San
Jose, where he was greeted by superintendent Stephen Whitesell and other
dignitaries. Security was coordinated by the Secret Service, Spanish
security officers and park protection staff. A scheduled 20-minute visit
was expanded when the president suddenly decided that he wanted to
attend Mass in the church. The park was not closed during the visit and
there were no incidents.
[Submitted by Dan Steed, Chief Ranger]
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ,UT)
Drowning In Halls Creek Bay
An emergency call came into park dispatch via marine band radio on
the evening of July 10th, reporting that a three-year-old boy was
missing in the Halls Creek Bay area. The boy was with a large houseboat
group and had last been seen on the shore. He was not wearing a life
jacket. Acting Uplake District DR Steve Luckesen organized an air, land
and water search, Park underwater recovery team members Eric Smith and
Laurie Axelsen found the boy's body in four feet of water alongside the
houseboat. The 30 people in the group were having a reunion. They
included the members of several families, and about two-thirds of them
were children.
[Submitted by Cindy Ott-Jones, Chief Ranger]
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ,UT)
Rollover Accident With Two Fatalities
A one-car rollover accident occurred on Highway 89 near the Lone Rock
Beach access road on the afternoon of July 15th. Park visitors reported
the accident to fee collectors at Lone Rock. According to witnesses, a
tire blew on the car, causing it to roll over, then burst into flames.
Both occupants were killed. Rangers, Wahweap Engine 1, and local fire
departments responded. The Utah Highway Patrol is investigating.
[Submitted by Cindy Ott-Jones, Chief Ranger]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Situation Report - Monday, July 21, 2003
Preparedness Level 4
The preparedness level has gone up one step. Preparedness Level 4 goes into effect when the following conditions are met: Two or more geographic areas experiencing incidents requiring Type I teams. Competition exists for resources between geographic areas. Either 425 crews or five Type I teams are committed nationally.
A total of 750 new fires were reported over the past three days 178 on Friday, 250 on Saturday, and 322 on Sunday. Initial attack yesterday was heavy in southern California in the Southwest, moderate in the Great Basin, Northwest and Rockies, and light elsewhere. Nine new large fires were reported; six other large fires were contained.
Fire Danger
Day |
7/16 |
7/17 |
7/18 |
7/19 |
7/20 |
7/21 |
Alaska |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
-- |
VX |
Arizona |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
California |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
Colorado |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
Hawaii |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
Idaho |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
Montana |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
Nevada |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
New Mexico |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
Oklahoma |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
Oregon |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
Texas |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
Utah |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
Washington |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
Wyoming |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VH Very high
EX Extreme
VX Very high to extreme
Fire Weather Watches and Warnings
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH has been issued for central Oregon for this afternoon.
National Resource Commitments
Day |
7/15 |
7/16 |
7/17 |
7/18 |
7/19 |
7/20 |
7/21 |
Crews |
293 |
365 |
406 |
381 |
394 |
449 |
502 |
Engines |
457 |
507 |
608 |
745 |
801 |
814 |
1,034 |
Helicopters |
101 |
129 |
127 |
103 |
142 |
155 |
176 |
Air Tankers |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
Overhead |
2,598 |
2,885 |
3,126 |
3,080 |
3,050 |
3,212 |
2,952 |
National Team Commitments
New team commitments or changes in teams are indicated in bold face.
State |
Type Team |
Team IC |
Fire/Location |
Acres |
Percent Contain |
Est Full Contain |
AZ |
T1 |
Humphrey |
Kinishba Fire Fort Apache Agency |
22,550 |
65% |
UNK |
WA |
T1 |
Lohrey |
Fawn Peak Complex Okanogan-Wenatchee NF |
48,156 |
35% |
UNK |
CA |
CDF T1 |
Henson |
Parkhill Fire San Luis Obispo |
640 |
10% |
7/22 |
AZ |
T2 |
Rios |
Blue River Complex Apache-Sitgreaves NF |
18,632 |
60% |
UNK |
CO |
T2 |
Saleen |
JB Fire West Slope Center, BLM |
850 |
25% |
7/23 |
CO |
T2 |
Perkins |
Bolt Fire Southern Ute Reservation |
1,533 |
25% |
7/27 |
MT |
T2 |
Sandman |
Wedge Canyon Fire Flathead NF |
2,500 |
0% |
UNK |
MT |
T2 |
Chrisman |
Hidden Lake Fire Beaverhead/Deerlodge NF |
450 |
0% |
UNK |
ID |
T2 |
Benes |
Slims Fire Nez Perce NF |
400 |
0% |
UNK |
MT |
T2 |
Gray |
Missouri Breaks Complex Miles City FO, BLM |
62,500 |
10% |
7/24 |
WY |
T2 |
-- |
Big Spring Fire Casper FO, BLM |
700 |
2% |
7/28 |
WY |
T2 |
Domanski |
Deep Lake Fire Shoshone NF |
5,985 |
15% |
UNK |
WA |
ST |
Jennings/ Perry |
McGinnis Flats Fire Colville Agency |
1,458 |
40% |
7/24 |
CO |
T2 |
Sczepanik |
Balcony House Complex Mesa Verde NP |
2,600 |
10% |
7/24 |
CO |
T2 |
Blume |
Brush Mountain Fire Grand Junction County |
5,292 |
100% |
CND |
UT |
T2 |
Brunner |
Bulldog Fire Richfield FO, BLM |
31,728 |
60% |
UNK |
WY |
T2 |
Broyles |
East Table Fire Bridger-Teton NF |
3,595 |
75% |
7/22 |
ID |
T2 |
Kechter |
Blackwall Fire Salmon-Challis NF |
2,242 |
10% |
UNK |
ID |
T2 |
Van Bruggen |
Tobias Fire Salmon-Challis NF |
14,500 |
85% |
7/22 |
OR |
T2 ST |
Gardner Labhart |
Clark Fire Willamette NF |
2,100 |
10% |
UNK |
NM |
T2 |
Philbin |
Molina Complex Santa Fe NF |
7,240 |
60% |
7/26 |
NM |
T2 |
Bateman |
Spruce Complex Gila NF |
8,200 |
0% |
UNK |
WY |
T2 |
Mullenix |
Gramm Complex Medicine Bow NF |
920 |
65% |
7/23 |
NM |
FUM |
Rath |
Dry Lake Complex Gila NF |
93,500 |
N/A |
N/A |
NM |
FUM |
Rath |
Turnbo Fire Gila NF |
17,000 |
NR |
UNK |
CO |
FUM |
Clark |
Bear Creek Fire San Juan NF |
1,869 |
N/A |
N/A |
Fire and Aviation Management
NPS Fire Summary - Monday, July 21, 2003
Mesa Verde NP (CO) The park will open this morning for regularly scheduled tours of Balcony House, Cliff Palace and Long House. Due to continued fire danger, trails on Chapin Mesa and at Morefield Campground will be closed. There will be excellent views of the fire from the veranda of the Far View Visitor Center and at Park Point. The main emphasis for firefighting resources is the 2,230-acre Moccasin Fire. This fire is still burning actively, but the southern perimeter is holding and the northeastern sections are heading into previously burned areas. Hand crews continue to build fire lines and helicopters will be dropping water and retardant on the fires. Two of the smaller fires the six-acre Balcony House Fire and the twelve-acre Park Fire are 100% contained. This will be the last report on these two fires.
Yellowstone NP (MT/WY/ID) The park reports suppression, patrol and/or monitoring of four fires:
- Pumice Fire Smokejumpers continue mop-up and bone-piling on the four-acre fire. The fire was declared contained at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
- Amethyst Fire The fire was mapped via helicopter and GPS the size is now placed at 298 acres. It was 45% contained as of yesterday, which was another very productive day for firefighters. The fire did not grow at all on Sunday.
- Arnica Fire The tenth-of-an-acre fire was contained at the end of the shift on Saturday night and was flown with PALM IR yesterday. Neither heat nor smoke were detected. The fire will be patrolled for a few more days.
- Fan Fire The three-acre fire was flown yesterday with the PALM IR. One small hot sport was detected in the middle of the fire, but poses no threat for escape.
Glacier NP (MT) The park is dealing with five fires:
- Hardhat Fire The fire has burned a tenth of an acre and is being managed with a control strategy. The fire was detected, flown and sized-up late on Saturday afternoon and attacked at 9 a.m. yesterday morning. The fire was very inactive on Saturday, with no visible flames, little to no smoke, and no apparent movement.
- Edwards Peak Fire The fire, also a tenth of an acre, is being managed with a modified suppression strategy (confinement). It is in very rugged terrain, with no nearby resources at risk. This will be the last report on this fire.
- Wolf Gun Fire The fire has burned 410 acres and is being managed with a modified suppression strategy (confinement) due to firefighter safety, terrain, costs, low risk, etc. This fire is surrounded by lands burned in the Moose Fire (2001) and five other fires (1996-2000). This fire was active on Saturday afternoon, with isolated torching, short distance spotting, and short uphill runs. The fire has not crossed Anaconda Creek to the south.
- Paul Bunyan Fire This 300-acre fire is being managed with a modified suppression strategy (confinement) using natural barriers and lands burned in numerous recent fires (Moose, Howling, 1999, Anaconda). The fire was active on Saturday afternoon, with observers reporting isolated torching, short range spotting, and short uphill runs. The fire has burned to the divide (7,400 feet) between the Dutch Creek drainage and the Camas Creek drainage and is largely fuel-limited.
- Trapper Fire The fire has burned 185 acres. It is being managed with a modified suppression strategy (confinement), using adjacent previous burns (the Kootenai Complex and Anaconda Fire, both 1998), natural barriers, and fuel type changes. The fire was very active on Saturday, displaying isolated torching and short range spotting. The fire is about a mile south of Trapper Creek.
Zion NP (UT) The Timber Top Complex is located in the Kolob Canyons section of the park, with one 15-acre fire burning on Timber Top Mountain and a ten-acre fire on nearby Nagunt Mesa. Because these fires are located on isolated mesa tops, they are being managed as wildland fire use fires. The fires continue to burn actively in the afternoon. Smoke is visible due to the location (high above everything). The area around Zion continues to report lightning strikes, with five new fires yesterday and some initial attack with air tankers.
Bryce Canyon NP (UT) The park reported one new fire on Saturday. It burned two-tenths of an acre before being controlled yesterday.
Grand Canyon NP (AZ) The park reports four fires:
- Basin Fire A half acre in size, it is being managed for wildland fire uses. It received two inches of hail yesterday.
- Emma Fire The fire burned two acres before being suppressed.
- Range Fire The fire was suppressed at a tenth of an acre.
- Grand View Fire Ditto to above.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NM (CO) The 14-acre Poison Fire is being managed with three BLM Type 6 engines. There was no report on its status on Sunday.
Dinosaur NM (CO) A lightning fire started in the housing area late on Saturday. It burned a tenth of an acre, but is now out.
Yosemite NP (CA) All park trails and facilities are open. The park reports four active wildland fire use fires (the first four below) and four suppression fires (the second four below):
- T16 Fire This fire is located a mile north of the Tioga Road on the west side of Yosemite Creek. Ignited by lightning on July 18th, it is called the "T16" fire because it is visible from the T16 road marker on Tioga Road. It was last reported smoldering in sparse fuels and is currently less than a quarter acre in size. There's low potential for growth of the fire uphill due to lack of continuous fuels, but it could spread downhill.
- Snow Fire The fire is near Olmstead Point between the Tioga Road and Yosemite Valley and has burned less than an acre.
- Cascade Fire The fire is located just east of the Dance Floor Fire (below), south of Tamarack Campground and north of Highway 120. It has burned less than an acre.
- Blue Jay Fire Located just east of the Cascade Fire, it has burned less than an acre.
- Crescent Fire The quarter-acre fire is near Grouse and Crescent Lakes at the south end of the park. It started on Friday and was suppressed because it was 200 feet outside of the fire use zone. The fire was contained on Saturday, and full control was expected yesterday.
- Dome Fire The half-acre fire is located just east of the Wawona Dome in steep, brushy terrain. It was started by lightning on Friday and contained Saturday. Full control was expected yesterday.
- Alder Fire the fire, located east of Alder Creek and south of Empire Meadow near Deer Camp, has burned a half-acre in timber and duff. Full control was expected yesterday.
Dance Floor Fire The fire is near Devil's Dance Floor, south of Tamarack Campground and north of Highway 120. It was contained at a half-acre on Sunday. Full control is expected by Tuesday. The fire is burning in brush and timer inside the lines of the 1990 Arch Rock Fire.
Zion National Park (UT)
Timber Top Fire Use Complex (Wildland Fire,Wildland Fire Use)
A series of lightning-ignited wildland fires are burning in mixed brush on isolated mesa tops (Research Natural Areas)in the northern section of the park. Due to their location, they are being managed as FIRE USE FIRES. A small section of handline was completed today on the Timber Top Fire to protect a radio repeater on the mountain. They are being monitored from the ground and air by park personnel. (full report)
Status
The LaVerkin Creek Trail is closed until further notice.
Acreage: 15-acres total
Resources Committed: 7-10 personnel and air support for recon.
Estimated containment date: July 23, 2003[Submitted by David Eaker, david_eaker@nps.gov, 435-772-7811]
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.
**********************************************************************************************
August
August 6 August 7: Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations, Presidio of San Francisco, CA. The course is designed to train participants in how to respond defensively to a hazardous materials release. Topics include definition of hazardous materials, prevention of spread and exposure, and protection of people, the environment, and property in the immediate vicinity. Please register as soon as possible due to limited class size. For further information, contact Tom Hingsbergen at 415-561-4223 or via email. [Matt Kolbassa, Presidio FD]
September
September 8 September 12: High Angle Rope Rescue, New River Gorge NR, WV. This class is designed for the beginner and intermediate rescue technician and is the same class that was originally scheduled for May but which had to be cancelled due to the ongoing detail assignments. It will focus on a solid basic foundation and extend into raising and lowering victims. Climbing experience is not required. However, students will be spending time hanging on a fixed line in an exposed environment. Camping and showers will be provided. Everyone is encouraged to camp with the group at the Burnwood Ranger Station. All students should bring their own rescue gear, including harness, helmet, carabiners, and rappel/ascending device. A complete equipment list will be provided. Efforts will be made to arrange an Upper Gauley River trip on Saturday, September 13th, for all those students who would like the unique experience of rafting that river. Please respond by email to the following course coordinators if you would like to attend. rob_turan@nps.gov, or david_finch@nps.gov. [Gary Hartley, NERI]
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]
October
No listings.
November
November 3 November 7: Producing NPS Publications, Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston NHP, MA. This 32-hour, hands-on course will give participants the basic knowledge and skills to design and produce publications, including site bulletins, newspapers, posters and other graphics. It will incorporate the new NPS graphic design standards. Subjects will include design principles, layout, typography, image preparation, maps, printing prep, and working with printing companies, but will not cover writing and editing. For further information and nominations forms, contact Tom Haraden at Zion NP. Applications must be submitted by August 22nd. [Deborah Burnett]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Padre Island National Seashore (TX)
GS-9 Commissioned Ranger
The park is currently considering applicants for a non-competitive reassignment for a permanent full time GS-9 commissioned ranger. Responsibilities include a wide range of visitor and resource protection duties performed on a 72-mile long barrier island. The person selected will play an important role in developing programs to curb poaching, address illegal commercial fishing in park waters, and deter a significant volume of illegal immigrant and drug smuggling through the park. She/he will also perform emergency medical services, conduct boat operations, be involved in search and rescue activities, and have wildland fire suppression duties. The city of Corpus Christi is 18 miles away and offers a full range of educational, medical, and shopping amenities. The position has no required occupancy, thereby providing an opportunity to buy an affordable home in a wonderful sub-tropical coastal setting. The announcement closes on August 12th. To apply, send an SF-171 or OF-612 and an SF-50 showing competitive status, series, and grade to human resource specialist Jeanie Goff at Padre Island National Seashore. For further information, contact the chief ranger's office at 361-949-8173 x 237.
[Submitted by Randy Larson, Chief Ranger]
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.