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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT BLACKBERRY EDITION Tuesday, May 9, 2006 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Zion NP Base Jumpers Caught, Equipment Seized On May 1st, during the park's law enforcement refresher, dispatch notified rangers that a park researcher had just reported seeing parachutes in the air in the vicinity of Mount Kinesava. Rangers drove to the Chinle trail near the park boundary and contacted four men carrying mid-size backpacks, none of whom would submit to a consent search of his belongings. A search warrant was prepared and served on the men, resulting in the seizure of four parachutes and associated equipment, including video cameras. Each was issued a single mandatory appearance violation notice on scene for illegal air delivery (36 CFR 2.17 (a) (3)). An investigation into additional violations committed by the foursome is underway. [Kevin Killian, Canyon District Ranger] Sunset Volcano Crater NM Fatal Skateboarding Accident A 21-year-old Phoenix man was involved in a skateboard accident on Forest Road 545 around 3:30 p.m. on May 3rd. Forest Road 545 is a paved, two lane road and is the main park road for both Sunset Crater Volcano NM and Wupatki NM. The man's friends brought him to the park visitor center, about ten minutes away, and asked for treatment for cuts, abrasions, and head wounds. Park staff provided initial treatment and summoned medical units. Summit Fire Department and Guardian ambulance and air ambulance responded. The man was flown by air ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he died three days later. [Charles Strickfaden, Chief Ranger] Great Smoky Mountains NP On the weekend of April 28th and 29th, the Cherokee Survivors Motorcycle Rally was held in Cherokee, North Carolina. This event brings thousands of motorcyclists into Cherokee, the surrounding area, and the park. Because of the party atmosphere associated with the rally, there's typically an increase in alcohol and drug abuse incidents in the park. Two interagency sobriety checkpoints were set up on Newfound Gap Road to stem some of this activity. Participating were rangers from Great Smokies and Blue Ridge, officers from Cherokee PD, Cherokee Corrections, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Jackson County Sheriff's Department, and medical personnel from Cherokee EMS. An estimated 750 vehicles were checked at the two locations over the course of the two days, with the following violations/arrests: two DUI, one public intoxication, nine marijuana possession, thirteen open containers, six operating without a license, one concealed weapon, and three revoked licenses. [Rick Brown, Assistant Chief Ranger] OTHER NEWS Links to stories for those of you who are within the NPS… Today's combined NPS/NIFC fire report: HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewfirenpsnewsarticle&type=FireManagement&id=591" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewfirenpsnewsarticle&type=FireManagement&id=591 * * * * * Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA. --- ### --- |