Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Guilty Plea Entered in Armed Assault on Rangers
On June 1st, L.S., 62, of Yermo, California, appeared in US
District Court (Los Angeles) in connection with a February assault on
park rangers. L.S. entered a plea of guilty to a felony charge of
18 USC 111, assault on a federal officer. Sentencing has been set for
August 15th. Under the negotiated plea agreement, he will likely be
sentenced to a period of one to two years in jail. The offense occurred
on February 12th, when rangers contacted L.S. and the owner of a
160-acre inholding over a long-term boundary dispute. As the discussions
between the rangers and involved parties became confrontational,
L.S. retrieved a rifle from a vehicle, placed a magazine in the
weapon, chambered a round, and pointed it at the rangers while moving
toward them. The rangers were able to retreat from the area and depart
without further incident. Two NPS special agents arrested L.S. on
February 16th. For the original report, click on "More Information"
below.
[Submitted by Denny Ziemann, Chief Ranger ] More Information...
Pacific West Region
Climbing Rangers to Aid Canadians in Search
A team of seven or eight climbing rangers from Mount Rainier, who may
be joined by two more climbing rangers from North Cascades, is headed to
British Columbia to help provincial authorities in a search for a
missing man. D.K., 36, a Wisconsin man who is an associate
publisher for the business magazine DM Review, traveled to
Vancouver on business in May. On May 25th, he bought a tram ticket up
Grouse Mountain, a peak located just 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver.
Security video cameras captured D.K. exiting the tram car at the top of
the mountain, where he went for a 10 minute walk at the summit. The
security video shows he returned to the tram station, got onboard, then
exited two minutes later. He's not been seen since. An intensive search
began last Friday and continued through the weekend. No clues were
found. D.K. is reported to be an experienced hiker and in excellent
condition.
[Submitted by Dan Pontbriand, Chief, Branch of Emergency
Services]
Zion National Park (UT)
Night Rescue of Injured Canyoneer
On the evening of Wednesday, June 1st, the park was notified that a
person canyoneering in Pine Creek was experiencing severe abdominal pain
and unable to move. Two rangers, one of them a park medic, were
dispatched to locate him and assess his condition. The injured hiker
— M.H. of Houston, Texas — was found in a large
boulder field down canyon from the last rappel in the Pine Creek slot
canyon. In consultation with the Dixie Regional Medical Center, the
rangers determined that the injury was most likely an abdominal hernia.
The park search and rescue team was dispatched to complete the rescue.
D.H. was carried on a litter through the boulder field, which took
several hours. He was then lifted to the top of the last rappel, a
distance of about 150 feet, and carried to the base of a cliff, where
he was then lifted another 150 to 200 feet to the second window of the
Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel. He was transferred to a waiting ambulance at 5
a.m., then transported to the Dixie Regional Medical Center in St.
George, Utah. The rescue took about nine-and-a-half hours to complete
and involved 24 members of the park's staff and local volunteers. It was
one of the most difficult and involved rescues ever conducted in the
park.
[Submitted by Ron Terry, Public Affairs]
Devils Tower National Monument (WY)
Rescue of Injured Climber
On May 29th, R.S., 46, of Bellview, Nebraska, was injured by
a falling rock while climbing on Devils Tower. R.S. was climbing the
Pseudo Weissner route with a friend and a professional guide when the
accident occurred. She was preparing to climb the third pitch of the
route and was attached to a set of anchor bolts when a 10- to 12-inch
diameter rock was dislodged by a party climbing approximately 300 feet
above her. The rock struck her in the helmet, left arm and left ankle,
causing multiple injuries, including several broken bones. Sander's
guide provided initial care and was lowered with R.S. 200 feet to the
base of the route by another climbing party. Rangers and other climbers
then packaged and lowered her in a litter through another 100 feet of
vertical terrain. R.S. was then flown by the Rapid City Regional
Lifeflight helicopter to Rapid City, South Dakota.
[Submitted by
Scott Brown, Chief Ranger]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
NIFC/NPS Fire and Aviation Management
National Fire Situation Highlights — Friday, June 3, 2005
NPS Fires
For a brief supplemental narrative on each fire, click on the bar with the arrow. Internal NPS readers can link directly to full reports on each fire by clicking on the notepad icon; public readers of the Morning Report can obtain similar information by going to http://www.nps.gov/fire/news
| Park | State | Fire | Type | Acres | Percent Contain |
Est. Full Contain |
| Denali National Park & Preserve | AK | BUB9 Highpower Creek - ref#226 | Wildland Fire Use | 2,029 | N/A | N/A |
 Latest Narrative: During the afternoon of July 8th the fire was monitored by AK NPS Western Area Fire Management. The fire had a 20% active perimeter and the NW corner exhibited the most activity. Interior smoldering, backing, flanking and occasional group torching were observed. |
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| Denali National Park & Preserve | AK | BUC0 Herron River - ref#227 | Wildland Fire Use | 1,358 | N/A | N/A |
Latest Narrative: During the afternoon of July 8th the fire was monitored by AK NPS Western Area Fire Management. The fire had a 10% active perimeter along the West and NW corner. Interior, isolated torching in black spruce were observed. |
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| Denali National Park & Preserve | AK | BUH5 McKinley River - ref#238 | Wildland Fire Use | 112 | N/A | N/A |
Latest Narrative: The fire has shown little to no activity since June 25th. However, due to it's large size and a few perimeter smokes observed two weeks ago, it may still have some potential. |
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| Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve | AK | BS4V Chapman Creek Fire -ref#164 | Wildland Fire | Total acres is 162,670. 15% of the fire is on NPS lands, 85%... See below for more... | 10/30/2005 | |
Full Acreage Report: Total acres is 162,670. 15% of the fire is on NPS lands, 85% belongs to the BLM. Latest Narrative: The fire received steady rain throughout the day. The weather conditions and low clouds hampered air operations. When flying conditions improve, crews plan to pull gear from the fire and continue mopping up. |
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| Bryce Canyon National Park | UT | Swamp Fire Use Fire | Wildland Fire Use | 165 acres | 100 | N/A |
Latest Narrative: The Swamp Fire Use Fire is showing little activity. Interior fuels are still smoldering, but there is no threat to containment lines. Assigned resources have been released from the fire and it is now being managed by Bryce Canyon personnel. |
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National Situation Report
The full NIFC Incident Management Situation Report for today can be obtained at http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf. NIFC's national fire news is at http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/nfn.html
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Servicewide
Upcoming Training Calendar
UPCOMING TRAINING
This listing is updated every Friday. It is not meant to replace any of the various training center calendars — just to augment them and provide a heads-up on new training courses. Please submit information to Bill_Halainen@nps.gov. New listings and revisions are in bold face.
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June 2005 — May 2007
The Mid-Level Management Development Program (MLMDP) is a two-year competency-based management development training opportunity designed to enhance the competencies needed to become a more efficient and effective leader. Participants will be provided with new and challenging learning experiences through a multi-faceted approach to leadership training as they stay in their current positions. The 2005 MLMDP is My Learning Manager catalog number SML2114. For full details, go to http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/2006mlmdpann.doc
June 14 — June 16
Retooling Training for Facility Managers and FMSS Staff, Philadelphia, PA. This three-day training session will provide updates on the upcoming changes in concepts, functions and requirements for management of park assets and facilities. For more information, contact Dan Hodgson at 804-795-1115 ext. 22 or go to http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewtrainingarticle&type=Conferences&id=912
June 14 — June 24
National Center for Preservation Technology and Training Summer Institute, Natchitoches, LA. Includes courses in preservation engineering that offer participants fieldwork using nationally significant structures in the Cane River region of Louisiana where NCPTT is headquartered. For more information, contact Andy Ferrell at 318-356-7444 or Andrew_ferrell@nps.gov.
June 20 — June 24
Quarters Management Information System and Rates Training, St. Paul, MN. The course will provide housing managers a better understanding and working knowledge of the NPS housing program. Specific topics include QMIS inventory requirements, required and non-required occupancy, safety and health issues, need assessments, condition assessments, housing management plans and PMIS projects. For more information, contact Hala Bates, IMRO housing office, at 303-969-2789 or via email.
June 20 — June 26
Firearms Instructor Refresher Training (FIRTP-407), FLETC, Glynco, GA. See My Learning Manager for the announcement.
July 25 — August 5
Covert Electronic Surveillance Program (CESP-506), , FLETC, Glynco, GA. See My Learning Manager for the announcement. Closes on June 17th.
September 13 — September 15
Capital Investments for Design and Construction, Carlsbad, CA. This course will cover preparation of PMIS entries, risk management, value based decisions, budgeting constraints, scoping, estimating, schematic design, pre-design, and Development Advisory Board review to manage and lead a capital construction investment related to the line item construction program. Complete and send nomination form to the employee development officer in your region or program center no later than Friday, June 6th. For more information, contact Kathy Hayden at 303-969-2420 or via email at Kathy_Hayden@nps.gov.
August 28 — September 2
Quarters Management Information System and Rates Training, Sacramento, CA. The course will provide housing managers a better understanding and working knowledge of the NPS housing program. Specific topics include QMIS inventory requirements, required and non-required occupancy, safety and health issues, need assessments, condition assessments, housing management plans and PMIS projects. For more information, contact Hala Bates, IMRO housing office, at 303-969-2789 or via email.
November 28 — December 2
Quarters Management Information System and Rates Training, Denver, CO. The course will provide housing managers a better understanding and working knowledge of the NPS housing program. Specific topics include QMIS inventory requirements, required and non-required occupancy, safety and health issues, need assessments, condition assessments, housing management plans and PMIS projects. For more information, contact Hala Bates, IMRO housing office, at 303-969-2789 or via email.
Servicewide
Upcoming Conference/Meetings Calendar
UPCOMING EVENTS
This listing is updated every Friday. Please submit information to Bill_Halainen@nps.gov. New listings and revisions are in bold face.
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June 21- June 22
Biennial Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network National Meeting, Washington, DC. The CESU Network meets every two years to share expertise and experience among partners. The NPS is one of 13 federal agencies in partnership with over 180 of the nation's universities, tribal organizations, and non-governmental institutions that are included in the CESU Network. The meeting includes several key plenaries, concurrent sessions, project profiles, a Congressional breakfast, and an opportunity to meet and interact with representatives from other agencies, universities and others participating in the CESU Network. Information about the meeting and how to register is available on the CESU website (www.cesu.org/cesu). Registration for the meeting is required and free.
August 26 — August 27
Rocky Mountain National Park Old-Timers and Employees Reunion, Estes Park Holiday Inn and Convention Center, Estes Park, CO. There will be a special program on Friday night at the Beaver Meadows VC, a free park bus tour on Saturday morning, and a banquet on Saturday evening. The cost for the latter is $30 per person. RSVP for dinner by sending a check made out to the Rocky Mountain Nature Association to Lynn Marquez, Rocky Mountain NP, 1000 Highway 36, Estes Park, CO 80517. Fore more information or to reserve a seat on the bus tour, call her at 970-586-1295 or email her at lynn_marquez@nps.gov.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Natural Resource Stewardship and Science
Dr. Herbert C. Frost Named Deputy Associate Director
Michael Soukup, Associate Director for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science, has selected Herbert C. (Bert) Frost to fill the deputy associate director position replacing Abby Miller.
Frost has an outstanding depth in knowledge, training and experience in science, NPS field operations, and management. He holds a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology from the University of Maine and has research experience with black bears, white-tailed deer, fishers and martens.
Dr. Frost has served as the senior natural resource manager for Eisenhower National Historic Site, and Gettysburg National Military Park, where he provided leadership for the science, planning, compliance, and implementation of the white-tailed deer management plan. He has also served as acting superintendent of Weir Farm National Historic Site as part of his participation in the Northeast Region's Management Development Program.
He has wide work experience, including as special enforcement officer for the Wyoming Fish and Game Department, assistant professor and research assistant at the University of Maine, and most recently, as Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) leader (Great Basin CESU, University of Nevada).
Dr. Frost has been successful in fostering partnerships with positive outcomes with a wide range of constituencies. He will be a strong voice for parks and a major asset for the natural resources management team in the Washington Office
Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Mona and Richard Divine Retire
After more than 25 years with the National Park Service and a year and half with the Forest Service, both Richard and Mona Divine are retiring.
Dick and Mona spent most of their careers at Yellowstone National Park as protection rangers. They also worked at Buffalo National River. Richard started out his career as a wildland firefighter and his last post at Yellowstone was as a special agent. Mona finished her NPS career at Yellowstone as the deputy chief ranger. She served as incident commander for the Central Incident Management Team for many years, working on a variety of assignments at special events and emergencies across the country.
They plan on spending the first few months of retirement in central Oregon, enjoying outdoor activities.
Words of wisdom or any other unsolicited advice may be sent to 61691 Broken Top Drive, Bend, OR 97702, or via email to griztalk@yahoo.com
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.