Shenandoah National Park (VA)
Search Underway for Double Homicide Suspect

Yesterday morning, police investigated a shooting in Dooms, Virginia, a small community in Augusta County near the park. Two residents were found dead. Police identified a 48-year old relative of the victims as the suspect. His vehicle was later found abandoned along a road close to the park boundary. Police believe him to be on foot, dressed in camouflage, and armed with a high-powered rifle. The search area straddles the park boundary and includes both a mountainous section of the South District within the park and a largely wooded area of the county with residences outside the boundary. The suspect reportedly is familiar with this area from fishing and hunting. County roads near this section of the park have been closed. This section of the park is fairly remote, with no developed areas and few backcountry trails. However, since the Skyline Drive and the Appalachian Trail are not very far away, both have been closed from Loft Mountain to Rockfish Gap (roughly the southern quarter of the park). The incident is being handled by the Augusta County Sheriff's Department, the Virginia State Police, and the NPS. Rangers from the Blue Ridge Parkway are assisting. Special agents assigned to the park are involved as well. The park is an area of exclusive federal jurisdiction. The park is operating under ICS.
[Submitted by Clayton Jordan, Acting Northeast Regional Chief Ranger]

Grand Teton National Park (WY)
Ultralight Aircraft Crash with Fatality

J.T.W., 58, of Jackson, Wyoming, the billionaire second son of S.W., founder of Wal-Mart, died when his home-built, lightweight aircraft crashed in the park shortly after takeoff from the Jackson Hole Airport on Monday afternoon. The reason for the crash is not yet known. J.T.W., the pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft, died on impact and was later pronounced dead at the scene by the Teton County coroner. Several people saw the plane go down and called 911. Rangers and emergency medical technicians immediately responded, followed by a park ambulance and interagency fire engines. The plane is described as an experimental class of ultralight aircraft with a small, gas-powered engine. The aircraft's frame is aluminum and the wings are wrapped in fabric similar to heavy duty sail cloth. These types of aircraft weigh approximately 400 to 500 pounds. Following protocol for aircraft accidents, the park notified both the FAA and NTSB. Neither agency conducts investigations of experimental aircraft accidents, so rangers will conduct the formal accident investigation.
[Submitted by Jackie Skaggs, Public Affairs Specialist]

Yosemite National Park (CA)
Search in Progress for Missing Backpacker

On the evening of Tuesday, June 21st, rangers were notified that M.F., a 51-year-old solo backpacker, was two days overdue from a planned six-day wilderness trip in the Hetch Hetchy area of the Mather District. A hasty search was begun on Wednesday, and command of the search was transferred to an interagency Type III incident management team on Thursday. About 180 people have been involved in the ongoing search, including numerous volunteer search teams, the US Forest Service, and Marines from the Mountain Warfare Training Center. Ground and dog teams and helicopters are being utilized. Current weather conditions and M.F.'s fitness and experience level indicate a high possibility of survival. However, difficult terrain, high water runoff from the above average snowpack, and the huge search area are making the searching difficult on both the ground and in the air. [Submitted by Adrienne Freeman, M.F. SAR Information Officer]

Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Search Continues for Missing Boy Scout

The ground and air search for missing 13-year-old Boy Scout L.S. continued yesterday. L.S. fell into the Yellowstone River last Friday evening around 6:30 p.m.. About 20 people, including park staff and volunteers, were involved in yesterday's search. L.S. was with his Boy Scout troop on a two-day backpacking trip into the park. The troop was staying overnight at a backcountry campsite slightly downstream from Knowles Falls, a popular hiking area between Blacktail Trailhead and Gardiner, Montana, in the north section of the park. L.S. and other troop members were pushing logs into the river when one of the logs clipped him, sweeping him off his feet into the river. He was last seen floating downstream in the river with his head above water level. The river below the point last seen curved out of sight and into a rapid. Since Saturday, park staff and volunteers have conducted an extensive air and ground search from the point where L.S. entered the river to Corwin Springs, Montana. Searchers did locate the shoes he was wearing, but nothing has been found since. The park has moved from an active search and rescue operation to a body recovery effort. Searchers will continue with air and ground operations today and will deploy a team of kayakers to help probe the river. They will continue to focus on the 14-mile corridor searched over the past four days.  An observation point has been established on the bridge crossing the Yellowstone River in Gardiner, Montana, which will be manned by volunteers on a 24-hour basis. Park County and Gallatin County, Montana, officials have offered equipment and resources as needed. Outfitters and fishing guides in the area have been notified of the situation. Boaters and fishermen on the Yellowstone River are encouraged to contact park headquarters at 307-344-7381 if they have any information that could be helpful to the search.
[Submitted by Cheryl Matthews, Public Affairs Specialist]

Glacier National Park
Two Food-Conditioned Black Bears Killed

On Monday, June 27th, rangers shot and killed two food-conditioned black bears at the foot of Elizabeth Lake. This action was authorized only after consultation with the park's wildlife biologist and was in accordance with Glacier National Park's bear management plan. Two backcountry campers reported that on Saturday morning, June 25th, a black bear entered their camp site at the Elizabeth Lake campground while they were preparing breakfast and had obtained food.  A second group of campers also spotted a bear in the campground, but they described the bear differently. Due to this bear activity, the three backcountry campgrounds in the area, as well as the area trails — Dawn Mist Falls to the foot of Elizabeth Lake and the foot of Elizabeth Lake to Red Gap Pass — were closed.  Rangers were dispatched to the area to investigate. Although no bears returned on Sunday, the rangers observed two black bears entering the campground area on Monday. The bears were not deterred by the rangers' presence or their shouts. Both bears exhibited food-conditioned behavior, searching for food at the food preparation area and at the food storage areas.  In accordance with the bear management guideline, the bears were shot and killed by the rangers. Both were black bears — one an adult female weighing approximately 140 pounds, and the second an adult male weighing approximately 170 pounds. "We hate to kill any park wildlife, but these bears had clearly become food-conditioned," said deputy superintendent Stephanie Dubois. "The potential for a serious future encounter could not be overlooked. They had likely received food rewards prior to this incident. This incident underscores the importance for all park visitors to store, prepare, and dispose their food properly." The Elizabeth Lake area campgrounds and trails reopened yesterday.  [Submitted by Melissa Wilson]

NIFC/NPS Fire and Aviation Management
National Fire Situation Highlights — Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Preparedness Level 2

A total of 149 new fires were reported on Tuesday, with four becoming large fires. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada and Texas.

Weather Forecast

A drier, more stable westerly flow will be developing over the West. Strong high pressure will continue over northern Alaska with a low pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska feeding moisture into the southern portions of the state.

Red Flag Warnings

None today.

Fire Weather Watches

None today.

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	BU13 Bear Creek-ref#296	Wildland Fire Use	At time of discovery the fire was 2.5 acres. Due to an upda... See below for more...	N/A	N/A
	Full Acreage Report: At time of discovery the fire was 2.5 acres. Due to an updated map, the actual acreage is 24. Latest Narrative: While monitoring the fire, AK NPS Western Area Fire Management observed one interior smoke and no significant growth.
Denali National Park & Preserve	AK	BUB9 Highpower Creek - ref#226	Wildland Fire Use	198	N/A	N/A
	Latest Narrative: While monitoring the fire, AK NPS Western Area Fire Management observed 1 to 2 foot flames. The fire was 2% active in black spruce which lie within the fire's perimeter.
Denali National Park & Preserve	AK	BUC0 Herron River - ref#227	Wildland Fire Use	45	N/A	N/A
	Latest Narrative: While monitoring the fire, AK NPS Western Area Fire Management observed 1 to 2 foot flames. The fire was backing into the wind on the perimeter and 1% active in black spruce.
Denali National Park & Preserve	AK	BWIX Muddy River Fire-ref#358	Wildland Fire	25		Unknown
	Latest Narrative: Around 7pm on June 28th AK NPS Western Area Fire Management learned of a new, 50% active fire in the park . The Muddy River Fire is located near an allotment in a full management option and was initial attacked last night. The Alaska Fire Service, a fire suppression organization for Denali, had a couple of CL215's drop water on the open flames in order to knock them down. Four smokejumpers worked on the fire through the night. The plan is to put a crew on it today.
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve	AK	Chapman Creek Fire, #164	Wildland Fire	66,830 acres, 4,307 acres are within Gates of the Arctic bou... See below for more...		10/30/2005
	Full Acreage Report: 66,830 acres, 4,307 acres are within Gates of the Arctic boundary as of 6/24. Latest Narrative: The burnout operation near the Hungarian Creek drainage did not take place yesterday due to an un-forecasted southerly wind. Hotshot crews and fire officials will not begin the burnout until there is a northerly wind which will push the fire away from the fireline. If wind conditions change, the burnout could still happen. Another Alaskan hotshot crew, the Midnight Suns, arrive today. They will be placed east of the Hungarian Creek drainage to construct fireline from the ridge top to the South Fork of the Koyukuk River. This will prevent the northward spread of the fire on the east side to the river. Work continues on the fireline along Twelve Mile Creek.
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve	AK	Chapman Creek Fire, #164	Wildland Fire	91,150 acres. The acreage increase is attributed to improved... See below for more...		10/30/2005
	Full Acreage Report: 91,150 acres. The acreage increase is attributed to improved mapping on the south side of the fire. Latest Narrative: The burnout in the Hungarian Creek drainage was successful. Firefighters reinforced the fireline to stop the northward spread of the fire. The Midnight Sun Hotshot crew completed fireline ahead of the northeast corner of the fire. If winds are favorable today, they will begin a burnout. This will strengthen the fireline and slow the northern progression of the fire. A burnout in the Twelve Mile Creek area is planned after lines east of the Middle Fork are secured. Firefighters continue to mop up along the Dalton Highway in the area of Cathedral Mountain. Intermittent torching and crowning were observed in black spruce.
Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve	AK	BT8C Trout Creek - ref#218	Wildland Fire Use	1,330	N/A	N/A
	Latest Narrative: The Alaska Fire Service reported that the fire perimeter was 10% active and backing down a slope in mixed conifers. The smoke from the fire was not generating a column but rather rising 6,000 acres before drifting west.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	CA	Grant E Prescribed Fire	Prescribed Fire Treatment	352 acres when complete		Friday, July 1, 2005
	Latest Narrative: On Monday June 27, fire crews plan to begin ignitions on a prescribed burn in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park. The Grant E burn is located east of Hwy. 180, north of the Generals Highway, and south and east of Wilsonia. Grant Grove Village is one mile northwest of the fire area. Firefighters will use hand-held drip torches to ignite the prescribed fire over two to three days.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	CA	Grant E Prescribed Fire	Prescribed Fire Treatment	352 acres when complete		Friday, July 10, 2005
	Latest Narrative: During the last three days, fire crews completed ignitions on 60 acres of the Grant E Prescribed Fire. This project has been postponed due to changing weather conditions. A forecasted high pressure system over the next few days would likely result in unacceptably smoky conditions in the area. After the holiday weekend, fire managers will reassess weather conditions and decide if it is possible to continue the Grant E project.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	CA	Grant G Prescribed Fire	Prescribed Fire Treatment	148 acres when complete		Wednesday, June 29, 2005
	Latest Narrative: On Monday June 27, fire crews plan to begin ignitions on a prescribed burn in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park. The Grant G burn is located east of Hwy. 180, north of the Generals Highway, and south and east of Wilsonia. Grant Grove Village is one mile northwest of the fire area. Firefighters will use hand-held drip torches to ignite the prescribed fire over two to three days.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	CA	Grant G Prescribed Fire	Prescribed Fire Treatment	148 acres when complete		Wednesday, June 29, 2005
	Latest Narrative: Today, fire crews will finish igniting the 148-acre Grant G Prescribed Fire in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park. During the next week as the fire continues to smolder, crews will continue to patrol the area. "I am very pleased with the initial results of this fire," said Dave Bartlett, Kings Canyon District Fire Management Officer. "The burn restored the effects of fire including reducing fuels on the ground. This will help protect local communities, such as Wilsonia, from wildfire and will preserve park forests for the future."
Yosemite National Park	CA	Big Creek	Prescribed Fire Treatment	367		June 16, 2005
	Latest Narrative: Project is completed.
Yosemite National Park	CA	Old El Portal Prescribed Burn	Wildland-Urban Interface Fire	64 acres		5/31/05
	Latest Narrative: Project completed
Yosemite National Park	CA	Old El Portal Unit 4a	Prescribed Fire Treatment	64		June 23, 2005
	Latest Narrative: Project completed.
Colorado National Monument	CO	Columbus	Wildland-Urban Interface Fire	0.1	100	6/26/05
	Latest Narrative: This lightning caused fire was in a single tree (PJ) within one quarter mile of the Redlands WUI. This fire was suppressed by the local city fire department.
Big Bend National Park	TX	Overlook	Wildland Fire	Fire is estimated at 10 - 12 acres.	50	June 29, 2005
	Latest Narrative: The fire is burning in giant reed and mesquite. Flame lengths exceeded 20 feet, but remained a fuel-driven fire. Area temperatures reached 105 degrees and RH dropped to 21%.
Yellowstone National Park	WY	Cascade	Wildland Fire Use	0.1	N/A	6/28/05
	Latest Narrative: A recon flight was conducted on 6/22/05 in the area of the Cascade fire. No smoke was seen or evidence of fire activity was noted. No smoke has been reported since this first fire was reported. The Bechler RS has received over 1/2" of rain since the Cascade fire was reported. This fire is being declared out on 6/28/05.

National/State Team Commitments

Newly listed fires (on this report) appear below in boldface. Changes in the status of a fire (type of team, change from a fire to a complex, etc.) are also noted in boldface.

Fires are sorted by type of team; teams are listed in alphabetical order within each type by the IC's last name.

National Resource Commitments

Further Information

This report is meant to present just highlights of the current fire situation. Two other NIFC sites provide much greater detail:

Full NIFC Situation Report (PDF file) — http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf
National Fire News — http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/nfn.html

Information on NPS Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) and on park fires can be found at:
FAM — http://www.nps.gov/fire
Park fires — http://www.nps.gov/fire/news

Law Enforcement and Emergency Services
Update on Violation Notices

Interim violation notices were shipped from Washington to the regional chief rangers on June 27th via Federal Express.  Each region is receiving two cases of citations (with the exception of Alaska, which is getting one case). There are 30 books per case, 25 citations per book, for a total of 9,750 citations. Each region will determine how many citations will be sent to each of their parks. One case has been kept in WASO as an emergency backup for the NPS, including the US Park Police. The USPP has an inventory of the interim violation notices for their operations and will also supply citations to the parks in National Capitol Region and to Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

The GPO printing order for 350,000 citations should be shipped on or about July 19th and will be sent directly to Brentwood storehouse.  We have spoken with Brentwood and parks are free to begin submitting DI-1's to them for the new violation notices. Brentwood storehouse will start a file of the incoming DI-1's. When the new violation notice shipment arrives, the storehouse will begin shipping the new violation notices to the parks on a first-come, first-served basis.

Many people have asked whether the Central Violations Bureau (CVB) will continue accepting the old violation notice past the July 1, 2005, deadline to switch to the new citation.  DOI, as well as all of the bureaus, have spoken with CVB and they are fully aware of our concerns and the time lag for the new violation notices to arrive. Our recommendation is to continue using the old violation notice until the interim and/or the new violation notices have been received in the parks.  
If you have any questions, please contact Dennis Burnett at 202-513-7128. [Submitted by Dennis Burnett, NPS Law Enforcement Program Administrator]

Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (KY,TN)
GS-025-9 Protection Ranger

Big South Fork NRRA, located in the southern Kentucky and eastern Tennessee area of the Cumberland Plateau, is currently recruiting to fill a GS-9 law enforcement ranger position. The park consists of approximately 125,000 acres of a natural area with the Big South Fork River at the center. Duties include mostly backcountry law enforcement, with a high number of incidents involving hunting and fishing enforcement, drugs/alcohol, ARPA and natural resource violations. Patrols are by foot, ATV, horseback, powerboat, whitewater canoe and raft, and four wheel drive vehicle. Very little road patrol is available. The position is located in the Kentucky section of the park with a duty station of Sterns, Kentucky. The Kentucky section has a campground, horse camp, and the Blue Heron historic mining community interpretive area. The Sterns/Whitley City area is a small town community that includes shopping, schools, churches and other amenities. The closest hospital is 15 miles south in Oneida, Tennessee, which is where the park headquarters is located.  Somerset, Kentucky, is 45 minutes driving time north of Sterns and is a community of approximately 15,000 people. Knoxville, Tennessee, is approximately an hour and a half south and is a community of about 175,000. The cost of living is reasonable, with a variety of homes available for purchase depending upon your price range. Schools are good to excellent. Several colleges are within commuting distance.  The park is accepting applications from June 20th to July 11th and the position is listed in USAjobs at announcement number SESO-05-66. Click on "More Information" below for a link to the announcement.  If you are interested, please contact chief ranger Frank Graham at 423-569-9778.
 More Information...

Midwest Region
Remembering Chuck Andrews

Chuck Andrews of Wayzata, Minnesota, died suddenly on June 21st. Chuck worked at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area for two years, earning the title "Volunteer of the Year" in 2003, and then becoming a seasonal national park ranger the following spring. His smile and affable nature made him an instant hit with visitors and staff alike. He helped showcase the Mississippi River to visitors from around the world and was the first volunteer to lead interpretive and educational programs for the park. Chuck pioneered the popular "Bike with a Ranger" program in 2004, and, in June, 2005, developed "River Walks with a Ranger". Chuck was a natural working with kids, and led school groups on hikes through the floodplain forests of Fort Snelling State Park for five semesters of the Big River Journey program. He loved wearing the NPS uniform and especially the hat! Chuck made excellent, lasting contributions to the programs of the National Park Service during the all too short time he was with us. Chuck will be missed a great deal by all the staff, the volunteers, the partners, the kids and the park visitors. A celebration of Chuck's life is being held at Fort Snelling State Park on June 30th.

Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found by clicking here. 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 Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.