NOTICES

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Servicewide
Patriots Day - A Day of Remembrance

Tomorrow - Thursday, September 11, 2003 - is Patriot's Day, a day to remember and honor the victims of the attacks that occurred two years ago.

President Bush has issued the following proclamation regarding Patriots Day:

Two years ago, more than 3,000 innocent people lost their lives when a calm September morning was shattered by terrorists driven by hatred and destruction.

On that day, and in its aftermath, we saw the greatness of America in the bravery of victims; in the heroism of first responders who laid down their lives to save others; in the compassion of people who stepped forward to help those they had never met; and in the generosity of millions of Americans who enriched our country with acts of service and kindness. Since that day, we have seen the greatness of America further demonstrated in the courage of our brave men and women in uniform who have served and sacrificed in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and around the world to advance freedom and prevent terrorist attacks on America.

As we remember September 11, 2001, we reaffirm the vows made in the earliest hours of our grief and anger. As liberty's home and defender, America will not tire, will not falter, and will not fail in fighting for the safety and security of the American people and a world free from terrorism. We will continue to bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to them. This Patriot Day, we hold steady to this task.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2003, as Patriot Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services and candlelight vigils. I also call upon the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. In addition, I call upon all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes on that day and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent victims who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

INCIDENTS

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Cape Cod National Seashore (MA)
Follow-up on Bicycle Accident

M.S., 51, was riding in the Provincelands bike trail on July 22nd when she fell and sustained a severe head injury. M.S. was not wearing a helmet at the time. She was found unconscious by other bike riders, who called for assistance on their cell phone. Rangers and rescue personnel responded and M.S. was taken to Cape Cod Hospital. Five days later, she was transferred to Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. On August 15th, she succumbed to her injuries.
[Submitted by Bill Hooper, Special Agent]

Zion National Park (UT)
Falling Fatality in Behunin Canyon

On Friday, September 5th, C.F., 37, of Springdale, fell while descending through Behunin Canyon, a rugged canyoneering route that involves route finding, numerous rappels, and normally takes about eight hours. C.F. was traveling alone and intended to complete the trip in one day. Friends reported him overdue late Friday evening, and a ground search was begun early on Saturday morning. In late morning, a helicopter joined the search. C.F.'s body was found just after noon at the base of one of the rappels in the middle of the canyon. It appears that he fell 60 to 80 feet while attempting to locate the rappel station. A technical raise and helicopter long line were used to remove his body from the canyon. Marcia Gilles was the operations chief for the incident. On Saturday afternoon, the park conducted a second major rescue effort. A raft and wheeled litter were used to carry an eleven-year-old boy with significant lower leg injures out of the Virgin River Narrows. While the above two incidents were occurring, park personnel also responded to an injury accident involving a motorcycle in the mile-long Zion Mount Carmel Tunnel.
[Submitted by Ray O'Neil, IC]

Chickasaw National Recreation Area (OK)
Auto Theft Arrests

Ranger DeDe Mladucky contacted a group of three men and a juvenile female at Rock Creek Campground on the morning of August 30th regarding non-payment of camping fees and illegal parking of their two vehicles. A member of the group asked Mladucky to help jumpstart one of the vehicles. A check of the registration on the 1998 Ford Expedition (a routine practice for visitor assists at Chickasaw) revealed that it had been stolen from Oklahoma City. J.P., 20, J.S., 19 and the juvenile were arrested without incident, but R.D., 20, fled from the area. Rangers and officers from local jurisdictions responded and set up a perimeter around the campground. While the search for R.D. was underway, rangers checked the registration of the second vehicle at the site — a 1996 Nissan Maxima — and found that it had also been stolen from Oklahoma City. R.D. was eventually found a mile from the campsite and arrested. During the search of the vehicle, rangers found a wallet with credit cards and a car CD player — the former stolen in Oklahoma City, the latter in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Charges were filed against J.P. and R.D. for possession of stolen property (vehicle); R.D. was also charged with receiving stolen property, possession of stolen credit cards, and attempted escape. The DA declined to prosecute J.S. and the juvenile, who was found to be a runaway and was turned over to county juvenile authorities.
[Submitted by Edward Cummins, District Ranger]

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
Drug Interdiction Arrests

Rangers stopped a 1995 Bounder RV at a Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 85on the afternoon of September 2nd. A Customs drug dog alerted on the vehicle, which led to a search and the recovery of over 410 pounds of marijuana in a false compartment under a bed. Another 150 pounds were found in a second compartment. Also discovered were a shotgun, a zip gun, and directions for constructing radio frequency detectors. The registered owner of the RV, Robert Kendrick, 71, and his passenger, Rhonda Alman, 40, were arrested for possession of narcotics. The RV had been in the Twin Peaks campground in the park the previous evening, and likely picked up the marijuana backpackers who smuggled it across the border sometime during the night. A few days later, rangers topped a 1996 Chevy Astro van for speeding and weaving. The driver, G.M.-M., 37, had a suspended license. A drug dog alerted on the van and 70 packages of marijuana weighing over 135 pounds were found within the interior walls, rear doors, front bumper and gas tank.
[Submitted by Bo Stone, Park Ranger]

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ,UT)
Drug Arrests

Over the course of Labor Day weekend, a drug task force comprised of rangers and local officers targeted the use and distribution of illegal drugs at Lone Rock Beach Campground. Following three days of undercover work by task force members, a pre-dawn raid was conducted on the campground. The operation resulted in 16 arrests and the filing of 25 felony drug charges and 14 misdemeanor drug and weapons charges. Most common were possession and distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine, mushrooms and marijuana.
[Submitted by Mike Mayer, Acting Chief Ranger]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

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Fire and Aviation Management
National Fire Report - Wednesday, September 10, 2003

Preparedness Level 5

Initial attack was light everywhere yesterday. Only 92 new fires were reported, four of which became large fires.

Most of the west will be cooler and wetter today. An upper level trough over the rockies will bring unsettled weather from the Southwest northward to Wyoming and eastern Montana. High pressure will build over the Pacific Northwest, northern California, Idaho and western Montana. California will be generally sunny and warm.

Fire Danger

Day	9/2	9/3	9/4	9/8	9/9	9/10
Arizona	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX
California	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX
Colorado	--	VX	VX	--	--	--
Hawaii	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
North Dakota	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX
Oklahoma	VX	--	--	VX	VX	VX
Oregon	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX
South Dakota	VX	VX	--	VX	VX	VX
Texas	VX	--	--	VX	VX	VX
Utah	--	--	--	VX	VX	VX
Washington	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX
Wyoming	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX

VX = Very high to extreme danger

Fire Weather Watches and Warnings

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH has been issued for gusty north to northeast winds and low humidity in the Sacramento Valley and surrounding foothills for tonight and tomorrow.

National Resource Commitments

Day	9/1	9/2	9/3	9/4	9/8	9/9	9/10
Crews	471	470	406	327	568	535	480
Engines	773	793	690	668	1,153	990	781
Helicopters	162	161	159	148	221	205	167
Air Tankers	0	0	1	3	3	2	0
Overhead	4,350	4,416	4,144	3,827	4,663	4,334	4,039

National Team Commitments

Teams are listed alphabetically by type. New team commitments or changes in teams (as of this report) are indicated in bold face.

State	Type Team	Team IC	Fire/Location	Acres	Percent Contain	Est Full \Contain
MT	ACT	Williams-Rhodes	Flathead NF/Glacier NP Fires	---	---	---
MT	ACT	Ribar	Montana Fires	---	---	---
MT	T1	Cable	Robert Fire Flathead NF/Glacier NP	57,570	60	10/1
MT	T1	Cable	Middle Fork Complex Glacier NP	10,977	5	10/1
MT	T1	Cable	Rampage Complex Glacier NP	23,497	0	10/1
MT	T1 T2	Cable Saleen	Trapper Creek Complex Glacier NP	19,150	45	10/1
MT	T1	Frye	Myrtle Creek Fire Idaho Panhandle NF	3,800	35	UNK
WA	T1	Hart	Needle Complex Okanogan/Wenatchee NF	21,000	3	UNK
MT	T1	Lohrey	Fish Creek Complex Lolo NF	36,855	75	9/28
OR	T1 T2	Martin Gardner	B&B Complex Deschutes NF	90,452	55	UNK
MT	T1	Mortier	Blackfoot Lake Complex Flathead NF	28,349	15	9/30
CA	T1	Vail	Grindstone Complex Mendocino NF	3,015	10	UNK
MT	T2	Broyles	Mineral/Primm Fire State Lands	25,202	72	9/20
ID	T2	Brunner	Beaver Lake Complex Clearwater NF	26,307	62	UNK
CA	T2	Domanski	Bridge Fire San Bernadino NF	1,352	96	9/10
WA	T2	Halloway/ Reed	Maple Fire Okanogan/Wenatchee NF	1,600	0	UNK
MT	T2	Hoff	Lincoln Complex Helena NF	39,707	80	10/1
MT	T2	Kechter	Cooney Ridge Fire State Lands	25,100	90	10/15
OR	T2	Morcom	Bull Springs Fire Umatilla NF	1,463	70	9/13
CA	T2	Mullenix	Covelo Complex Mendocino NF	160	NR	UNK
MT	T2	Saleen	Wedge Canyon Fire Flathead NF	52,974	87	9/15
CA	T2	Sczepanik	Smokehouse Complex Mendocino NF	1,210	96	9/10
MT	FUM	Rath	Little Salmon Creek Wildland Fire Complex	41,489	O	UNK

PARK FIRE SITUATION

Glacier NP

Fires in the various complexes in the area have burned an estimated 137,275 acres within the park. The cold front that passed through yesterday brought cooler temperatures and between a quarter and an inch of precipitation. There was little activity on most fires. Rain may not have penetrated through the canopy to the ground in some of the more densely vegetated areas; in those locations, there was still some flame and heat. Observers saw that fires on the Middle Fork complex are still slowly backing down toward the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Most other areas were not visible. Crews are taking advantage of the weather to secure lines. Objectives remain to prevent fire from crossing the Middle Fork of the Flathead River and to diminish the threat to structures in Pinnacle and Essex; to stop the westerly spread of the Belton Fire towards West Glacier; and to keep the Rampage Complex from spotting over the Continental Divide.

Mt. Rainier NP

Cooler temperatures and precipitation have decreased fire activity on the Mt. Rainier Complex (353 acres, 18% contained). The Northern Loop Trail remains closed between the Carbon River and the West Fork of the White River. An area closure is in effect beginning north of the Wonderland Trail to the northern park boundary between Carbon River and the West Fork of the White River. The Wonderland Trail remains open.

North Cascades NP

The park had cooler temperatures, cloud cover and up to a tenth of an inch of precipitation on Monday, slowing fire activity but making observation of them difficult. Eight Wildland Fire Use fires are being managed as the NOCA Complex. A seven-mile section of the Big Beaver trail from its beginning at Ross Lake, extending northwest to the Boundary near the mouth of McMillan Creek remains closed because of fire activity. Smoke from the Mineral Park Fire (3,511 acres), Dome Peak Fire (249 acres), and Sonny Boy Fire (390 acres) burning in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie NF continue to impact the park. All roads in the park complex remain open for visitor use.

Sequoia/Kings Canyon NPs

The park continues to make good progress on two wildfires that are being suppressed. The Coffeepot 2 Fire (80 acres) is contained and crews continue with mop up and patrol. Firefighters were put on the Homer's Nose Fire (10 acres) on Monday after two landing spots were constructed in the extremely rugged area. Helicopters will continue to drop water on this fire today and tomorrow. Rocks and lack of fuel contain this fire on approximately 40% of its perimeter.

The Williams Fire has burned approximately 984 acres. Fire monitors are currently on scene to map the fire perimeter and observe behavior and spread. Trail closures remain in effect. The Giant Fire has burned 64 acres. It is burning to the north and is being monitoring daily because of high visitation. There are two trail closures in effect near the Giant Fire: the Huckleberry Meadow Trail between the Alta Trail and Squatter's Cabin, and the Alta Trail between Soldier's Trail and the bedrock mortars. The Giant Fire has one new trail closure: Huckleberry Meadow Loop between Bedrock Mortars and Trail of the Sequoias. The West Kern Fire is 270 acres burning in a very remote area at about 8,000 ft. elevation northwest of the Kern Canyon Ranger Station. It continues to be monitored by air. A number of other fires are being managed for wildland benefits.

Yellowstone NP

This will be the last report on these fires. The East Complex, comprised of the East and Grizzly Fires, totals 23,500 acres and is 90% contained. The fires received almost two-tenths of an inch of rain again on Monday. Demobilization of the remaining two crews and much of the camp has taken place. The weather forecast for the fire area includes much cooler temperatures, continued winds, and snow above 8,000 feet. The Union Fire (768 acres) has had no new activity and will continue to be monitored from the air.

Yosemite NP

Fire activity on the Kibbie Complex was minimal, as cool, cloudy weather brought some precipitation to the area. The current size is estimated at approximately 1900 acres, with most activity on the South-SOK Fire. This fire has reached areas of rock and old burn areas on all flanks except the southwest, so growth rates should slow down. The trail between the Kibbie Lake Junction, (East of Kibbie Lake near its entrance to Yosemite National Park) and Styx Pass (near its exit of Yosemite National park) along the Kibbie Ridge, and the trail between Lake Eleanor and Kibbie Lake are closed because of fire activity in the area.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

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Colonial National Historical Park (VA)
Charity Walk/Ride in Memory of Late NPS Ranger

To honor the memory of Tom Tankersley, an NPS career ranger who passed away last fall, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern Virginia will hold its first annual "Wheels and Heels for Wishes" on Saturday, September 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The benefit will honor Tom, a past Make-A-Wish board member, employee of Richmond NBP, Yellowstone NP, Harpers Ferry Center, and Petersburg NB, and outstanding citizen. The event includes "Wheels" (bike and motorcycles) as well as "Heels" (joggers and walkers). Walkers, joggers and bikers will take the Yorktown Battlefield Loop Drive at Colonial NHP for a five mile jaunt. At the same time, a motorcycle run from Jamestown to York High School (Tom's alma mater), will take place on the Colonial Parkway. All participants will then meet at York High School for a celebration, including lunch, entertainment, and some local wish kids. The event offers groups, families, individuals, and Tom's NPS colleagues a chance to honor his memory, while helping an organization and children than were very important to Tom. For further information, contact the Beth Shaha at the Make A Wish Foundation at 757-456-5292, or visit www.makeawisheastva.org.
[Submitted by Mike Litterst, Public Affairs Officer]

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.