East Coast Areas
Post-Isabel Recovery Continues
The following reports reflect the status of operations through early Monday:
Type 1 Team (JD Swed)
Work continues at a rapid pace. Crews have made additional progress on clearing roads, overlooks, trails and other areas of fallen trees. The roads in Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania NMP have been cleared and are now open. Workers accessed the Glass House restroom in Jamestown on Sunday to determine what repairs are needed and will continue to make repairs on the historic Archer House in Yorktown.
Two injuries occurred on Sunday. An FMSS team member stepped on a nail at Jamestown, and a park maintenance worker at Petersburg NB had the pad on a finger tip sheared off while feeding material into a chipper. He was taken to the hospital, where it was stitched on. He was scheduled for surgery on Monday.
The cultural resource team, made up of employees of the NPS, Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA), and a private salvage firm, continued to pack up and move the 600,000 piece Jamestown artifact collection to Fort Lee near Richmond. They expected to finish the relocation of the artifacts yesterday. The collection will be housed in a secure site while curatorial staff continue to triage the damage and provide stabilizing treatment. It is estimated that three-fifths of the collection was underwater for some period of time and suffered damage due to immersion, while a fifth was not immersed but was damaged by high humidity. The remaining fifth of the collection appears to be undamaged. For a related newspaper story, see the "In the Press" section of today's InsideNPS.
The FMSS crew continues to compile incident costs on park assets and assist parks with condition assessments. Parks being assisted include Colonial NHP, Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania NMP, Petersburg, NB, George Washington Birthplace NM, Richmond NB and C&O Canal NHP. The assessment at Colonial, including the Jamestown Visitor Center, was scheduled for completion on Tuesday. All other assessments are scheduled to be done by October 5th. An additional park unit, the Presidential Park near the White House in Washington, DC, has reported some hurricane-related damage.
Five additional Type 1 and Type 2 crews arrived yesterday. Some will remain in Virginia; the others will be sent to assist with recovery efforts at Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores.
Type 2 Team (Rick Brown)
Sections of Cape Hatteras NS opened to the public on Monday after a 12-day closure due to Hurricane Isabel. Two ramps, about 11 miles of beach and the Hatteras Island Visitor Center were included in this first phase. Coquina Beach is now open as well, though minor repairs are still needed at the bathhouse. The Bodie Island Visitor Center opened yesterday morning, as did the NPS campground at Oregon Inlet and the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.
Much of Cape Lookout NS is open to pedestrians. Exceptions are Portsmouth Village, the area surrounding concession facilities at Long Point, and the Great Island fishing camps. Joining NPS workers are many local hire who were laid off from their regular jobs because of the hurricane.
Some tree work remains at Fort Raleigh NHS. Damage assessment continues at the seashores as well as restoration work in all three parks.
Summary of Resource Commitment (through 9/28)
The following figures are approximate. The objective is to provide a general overview of resource commitments, not definitive numbers.
|
Locale |
Type of Resource |
NPS |
Other Federal |
Private |
County |
State |
Total |
|
T1/VA |
Overhead/specialists |
121 |
35 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
165 |
|
Crew members |
37 |
37 | |||||
|
T2/NC |
Overhead/specialists |
72 |
3 |
75 | |||
|
Crew members |
102 |
102 | |||||
Additional Information
- NPS Interactive Map Center — Select maps of parks affected by the hurricane: http://maps2.itc.nps.gov/nps/parkatlas/jsp/atlas.jsp
- Hurricane Photo Gallery — Photos showing impacts of hurricane on parks and recovery efforts: http://inside.nps.gov/people/hurricane/
- NPS IMT Web Page — Home page for NPS incident management teams: http://www.nps.gov/fire/allrisk/
Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT;
Rick Brown, IC, Type 2 IMT; Barb Stewart, IO, Type 2 IMT; Karl Merchant,
Plans Chief, Type 2 IMT; Dave Lattimore, Plans Chief, Type 1 IMT.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
Rangers Seize Large Amount of Unclaimed Cash
On September 20th, rangers stopped a 2000 Chevy truck for speeding.
The driver had no license. After being cited, he consented to a search
of the vehicle. A shoe box was found under the seat with $26,635 in it.
A single bud of marijuana was also found. Neither of the vehicles
occupants, both from Ajo, claimed ownership of the money, so it was
seized as abandoned property. The driver was given a property receipt
for the cash and a citation for possession of marijuana before being
released. NPS special agent Dave Sandbakken out of Santa Fe is
coordinating the case through the AUSA's office in Phoenix.
[Submitted by Bo Stone, Park Ranger]
Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Dormitory Saved from Structural Fire
A concession security guard saw smoke issuing from an occupied dorm
at Lake Village around 5:30 a.m. on September 22nd. He activated the
fire alarm, prompting a quick response by two park engines, an ambulance
and a patrol unit. The first units to arrive found that smoke was coming
from attic vents and upgraded the response to a first alarm. Three more
park engines and a second ambulance responded from Mammoth Hot Springs,
Old Faithful and Grant Village. During initial attack, firefighters
removed a room ceiling and found flame along inside rafters.
Investigation showed that the fire had been caused by the malfunction of
a light/heater/fan unit in a bathroom. A sprinkler had been activated,
slowing the fire's spread. The fire was one wall surface away from
breaching into a larger area and spreading throughout the building when
it was checked. Investigating rangers also found three dormitory rooms
where smoke detectors had been disabled and one room containing a
quantity of marijuana. Four dormitory residents were cited into court
for various violations. During the initial building search, one person
was found inside a room who was refusing to evacuate. Water, smoke, or
fire damage occurred to over 14 rooms and at least one ceiling
collapsed. The four-hour operation involved over 21 park personnel. Lake
Subdistrict SDR Michael Keator was the incident commander.
[Submitted by Rick Obernesser, Chief Ranger]
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Sexual Assault Conviction
On May 26, 2002, P.I. was arrested for an attempted sexual
assault on a 15-year-old girl. A visitor witnessed the attempt and
pulled him off her. P.I., who was 46 at the time of his arrest, spent
about a year in psychiatric evaluation due to his illiteracy and alcohol
problems. P.I. had been arrested in San Bernardino for a similar
offense with a nine-year-old girl in 2000. On September 19th, P.I. was
sentenced in federal district court to 21 months in jail and a year's
probation, with the requirement that he register as a sex offender.
[Submitted by Scott Hinson]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Fire and Aviation Management
National Fire Report - Monday, September 29, 2003
Preparedness Level 3
Initial attack was moderate in California on Sunday and light everywhere else. Eighty new fires were reported, three of which escaped initial attack and became large fires.
A Type 1 team and three Type 2 teams are committed to Hurricane Isabel recovery operations in North Carolina and Virginia.
Fire Danger
|
Day |
9/21 |
9/22 |
9/23 |
9/24 |
9/25 |
9/28 |
9/29 |
|
Arizona |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
California |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Colorado |
VX |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
VX |
|
Hawaii |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
|
Idaho |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
|
Montana |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
VX |
|
Nevada |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Oklahoma |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
VX |
|
Oregon |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Utah |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Washington |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
VX |
VX |
|
Wyoming |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX = Very high to extreme danger
National Resource Commitments
|
Day |
9/21 |
9/22 |
9/23 |
9/24 |
9/25 |
9/28 |
9/29 |
|
Crews |
182 |
168 |
153 |
153 |
148 |
209 |
206 |
|
Engines |
206 |
248 |
226 |
299 |
274 |
339 |
338 |
|
Helicopters |
64 |
55 |
60 |
52 |
53 |
102 |
107 |
|
Air Tankers |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Overhead |
2,719 |
2,736 |
2,676 |
2,654 |
1,052 |
1,625 |
1,877 |
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 |
|
VA |
T1 |
Ferguson |
Hurricane Isabel |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
NC |
T2 |
Collins/ Col. Holt/ Hendricks |
Hurricane Isabel |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
NC |
T2 |
Custer |
Hurricane Isabel |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
WA |
T2 |
Furlong |
Needles Fire Okanogan/Wenatchee NF |
18,900 |
40 |
UNK |
|
UT |
T2 |
Muir |
Cascade II Fire Uinta NF |
7,790 |
95 |
9/30 |
|
CA |
T2 |
Rios |
Kibbie Complex Yosemite NP |
7,840 |
78 |
10/2 |
|
CA |
T2 |
Walker |
Spanish Fire Mendocino NF |
500 |
0 |
UNK |
|
NC |
T2 |
Wathen/ Pearson |
Hurricane Isabel |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
WA |
ST |
Berndt/ Baarspul |
Crystal Creek Fire Okanogan/Wenatchee NF |
700 |
0 |
10/18 |
|
CA |
ST |
Hawkins |
Canoe/Honeydew Fire Humboldt-Del Norte RU |
19,255 |
85 |
10/6 |
|
WA |
ST |
Johnson/ Barnett |
Isabel Fire Okanogan/Wenatchee NF |
2,320 |
15 |
UNK |
|
CA |
FUM |
Bonefeld |
Homers Nose 2 Sequoia-Kings NP |
230 |
40 |
10/2 |
|
CA |
FUM |
Bonefeld |
Kaweah-Kern Complex Sequoia-Kings NP |
7,985 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
AZ |
FUM |
Rath |
Poplar Complex Grand Canyon NP |
NR |
N/A |
N/A |
Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
New Issues of Publications Released
Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
The Lessons Learned Center has just published new issues of Learning Curve and Scratchline Newsletter.
The August Learning Curve contains five lessons learned and best practices from 2003 incidents. The information comes from After Action Review (AAR) Rollups submitted to the Center. This issue focuses on:
- Planning - Value of Contingency Planning
- Operations - Aircraft Manifesting Using Digital Scales
- Logistics/Operations - Mobile Spike Camps
- Logistics - Security Badge System
- Finance - Incorporating Cost Measures
The entire Learning Curve article is available at: http://www.wildfirelessons.net/AIR_Sums.htm.
The Summer 2003 Scratchline contains articles on:
- After Action Reviews (AAR) - Seizing the Chance to Learn. The AAR begins a process that consolidates, distills, and disseminates knowledge throughout the wildland fire community.
- Engine Crews - Lessons Learned and Best Practices from recent seasons. The crews discuss successes (The IRPG as a Useful Tool for Engine Crews, Improvements to Radio Communications, Engine Access to Wildfires, Reduced Mechanical Problems), overcoming challenges (Sharing Ideas, Supplementing Agency Resources), training curriculum recommendations (Engine Boss Training, Toward a Cross-Functional Work Force), and an unresolved issue (Maximizing Ground Access for Engine Resources). A useful Practice Hoselay Drill Form is included.
- A Scratchline Survey - for All Operations Positions that Supervise Others. Take a moment to think about what you can teach other firefighters. Surveys will be accepted through December 2003.
Scratchline, Issue 5 is on line at: http://www.wildfirelessons.net/Scratchline.htm.
Please distribute these publications in fire camps and home units.
[Submitted by Paula Nasiatka]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Office of Policy
Boating and Water Use Regulations Out For Public Comment
Proposed regulations on the revision to 36 CFR Part 3, Boating and Water Use, were published in the Federal Register on August 28th. The public is being asked to review and comment on these regulations through December 24th. Although internal comments have already been received, park areas should feel free to submit additional comments during this time as well. The regulation can be located and viewed by clicking on "More Information" below. All comments and questions about the regulation should be forwarded to Kym_Hall@nps.gov or 202-208-4206. Those units with boating and water use are encouraged to publish press releases soliciting comments from local residents about these proposed regulations. Please contact Kym to obtain a press release template.
More Information...
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park (TX)
GS-025-7/9 Protection Ranger
The park is recruiting for a GS-025-7/9 protection ranger for its Division of Resources Management and Visitor Protection. The vacancy announcement can be accessed via USAJOBS as announcement number LYJO 03-04; applications can be submitted by mail or on-line through the closing date of October 9th. The person who is hired to fill this position will be one of three commissioned park rangers involved in law enforcement, emergency medical services, resources monitoring, wildland and structural fire response, integrated pest management, and visitor and employee safety. The park is located in the Hill Country of Central Texas, an hour from both Austin and San Antonio. Park housing is not available. The division is in a growth phase as the park transitions to Phase 2 of its General Management Plan. Applicants are being sought who can provide innovative and professional approaches to the park ranger function. For more information, please contact Brian Carey, chief ranger, at 830-868-7128 ext. 232.
[Submitted by Brian Carey, 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.