Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (AK)
Commercial Operator Arrested For Assault On Rangers
On June 21st, rangers Jacqueline Ashwell and Dave Keltner interviewed Canadian/German citizen P.M.M.K., a guide for a Canadian-based tour company suspected of operating in the park without a permit. When it became clear to P.M.M.K. that he would be issued a violation notice for not having a permit, he became increasingly agitated and refused to follow several orders to sit down at a picnic table. P.M.M.K. told Ashwell that she was ruining his life and he would lose his job. When Keltner went to retrieve the tour company vehicle's identification number, P.M.M.K. approached him, again ignoring orders to remain seated at the picnic table. In response to P.M.M.K.'s combative demeanor, Keltner drew his OC spray and continued to order P.M.M.K. to sit down. When P.M.M.K. continued to approach the ranger, he was sprayed with OC at a distance of about 10 feet. P.M.M.K. continued to resist, refusing to comply with orders, and the rangers forced him to the ground. While they were attempting to handcuff P.M.M.K., he struck Aswhell in the eye with his elbow, causing a black eye and minor concussion. Keltner sustained a hyper-extended left shoulder as a result of P.M.M.K.'s combative behavior. The rangers were ultimately able to use pressure points to gain compliance and secure P.M.M.K. without further injury. Skagway City Police Department officers provided backup and arrested P.M.M.K. for assault. The decision to initially charge/arrest P.M.M.K. under Alaska state law was due to the logistical challenge of transporting him to Juneau, which is the closest federal holding facility. The next day, P.M.M.K. plead no contest to state charges for assaulting the two rangers and was sentenced to 180 days in jail, 60 suspended, and fined $1,000, suspended, with one year's probation upon release. Additional federal charges may be forthcoming. [Submitted by Tim Steidel, Chief Ranger]
Rocky Mountain National Park (CO)
Injured Man Rescued From Near Longs Peak Summit
On Sunday, June 24th, J.B., 22, slid 30 feet on ice and snow in the "Homestretch" area of Longs Peak, sustaining a severe leg injury. The Homestretch is the final scramble to the summit of 14,259-foot Longs Peak. J.B. ended up about 200 feet below the summit. A ranger was flown to the area to assess his injuries. Two rangers started hiking to his location from the trailhead, while a team comprised of another six rangers was flown to the peak to conduct a technical rescue. J.B. was lifted to the mountaintop, picked up by an air ambulance, and flown to the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland. Longs Peak is still considered a technical climb, and hikers are encouraged to use crampons and ice axes. The good weather made it possible to employ a helicopter, which is often not the case. [Submitted by Kyle Patterson, Public Affairs Officer]
Kenai Fjords National Park (AK)
Boaters Rescued From Cove In Resurrection Bay
The crew of the MV Serac came to the assistance of a disabled vessel near Thumb Cove on Friday, June 22nd, while en route to Aialik Bay to resupply the ranger station there. The disabled vessel, a 24-foot Bayliner, was without power and against the rocks just north of the entrance to Thumb Cove in Resurrection Bay. The crew of the Serac deployed their Zodiac, and deckhand Elsie Dillewaard successfully pulled the Bayliner away from the rocks and alongside the Serac. Captain Fred Wells proceeded to the middle of Resurrection Bay with the vessel under tow, eventually turning it over to the United States Coast Guard for towing back to Seward. [Submitted by Jim Pfeiffenberger, Education Coordinator]
Point Reyes National Seashore (CA)
Body Of Drowning Victim Recovered
V.A., 28, of Sunnyvale, California, was swimming with friends in Bass Lake on Saturday, June 16th, when he disappeared. Bass Lake is small lake which is a very popular swimming hole. Rangers immediately responded to search the area. The Marin County dive team was notified and headed to the lake. Despite significant search efforts, V.A.'s body was not recovered until Friday, June 22nd, when it resurfaced and was recovered. The lake has many submerged trees which complicated the diving efforts. V.A.'s body was removed by rangers and turned over to the county coroner's office. Bruce Dombrowski and Dan Habig were the incident commanders for this operation, which was a cooperative investigation between rangers and the Marin County Coroner's Office. [Submitted by Colin Smith, Chief Ranger]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
NIFC/NPS Fire and Aviation Management
National Fire/Incident Situation Highlights
National Fire Activity — Preparedness Level 2
Initial attack was moderate yesterday. The Angora Fire at Lake Tahoe grew by 600 acres yesterday, but no additional structures burned. Nearly 2,200 firefighters are committed to that incident.
Further information on the national situation can be found at http://www.nifc.gov/fire_info/nfn.htm
Fire Summary
|
Date |
Wed |
Thu |
Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
|
Day |
6/20 |
6/21 |
6/24 |
6/25 |
6/26 |
6/27 |
|
Initial Attack Fires |
181 |
160 |
138 |
334 |
184 |
201 |
|
New Large Fires |
7 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
8 |
|
Large Fires Contained |
4 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Uncontained Large Fires |
11 |
12 |
14 |
18 |
16 |
18 |
National Resource Commitments
|
Date |
Wed |
Thu |
Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
|
Day |
6/20 |
6/21 |
6/24 |
6/25 |
6/26 |
6/27 |
|
Area Command Teams |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
NIMO Teams |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Type 1 Teams |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Type 2 Teams |
5 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
|
FUM Teams |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
The full NIFC Incident Management Situation Report (a PDF file) can be obtained at http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf
NPS Fire News
Mesa Verde NP — Recent hot dry breezy weather has resulted in extremely dry grass and brush throughout the park. Because of the very high fire danger, the following fire restrictions will take effect on July 2nd: No open fires are permitted throughout the park, including at park residences, Morefield Campground, and the Chapin picnic area. Pressurized gas stoves and contained charcoal grills are permitted at Morefield Campground and Chapin picnic area. Smoking is only permitted inside enclosed vehicles. [Tessy Shirakawa]
Sequoia-Kings Canyon NPs — Due to high fire danger, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are instituting fire restrictions inside the parks. Beginning Wednesday, June 27th, the following are in effect:
- No wood or barbecue fires are permitted below 6,000 feet, except in designated campgrounds. This includes Ash Mountain Picnic Area, Hospital Rock Picnic Area and backcountry travel below 6,000 feet. Gas or propane stoves may be used at all elevations.
- No smoking below 6,000 feet is permitted, except within a developed area, a campground, an enclosed vehicle, or a building which allows smoking.
Like most of California, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks have experienced a dry winter and spring. Snow surveys from May showed 34% of the of average precipitation for the Kings River Drainage, 24% of average precipitation for the Kaweah River Drainage, and 5% of average precipitation for the Kern River Drainage. [Deb Schweizer]
*******
For brief supplemental narratives on fires listed below, 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/public/pub_firenews.cfm
| Park | State | Fire | Type | Acres | Percent Contain |
Est. Full Contain |
| Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve | AK | Eureka Creek-ref#310,DJ5G | Wildland Fire Use | 1.5 | N/A | 10/30/07 |
 |
||||||
| Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve | AK | Woodchopper 1-ref#221,DHQ4 | Wildland Fire Use | 8 | N/A | N/A |
|
||||||
| Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve | AK | Woodchopper 2-ref#222,DHQ5 | Wildland Fire Use | 15,450 | N/A | N/A |
|
||||||
For more information, go to the NPS Fire and Aviation Management at http://www.nps.gov/fire/index.cfm
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs
Weekly Legislative Activities Report
The Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs puts out weekly reports on hearings, new legislation and other activities on the Hill. The following is the summary for the week of June 18th to June 22nd.
*****************
Floor Action
On June 19th, the Senate passed S. 277, (Thomas, R-WY) to modify the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park to include certain land within the GT Park Subdivision, and for other purposes. The bill would authorize the Secretary to accept by donation approximately 49 acres of land and add them to the boundary of the park. The bill was amended to name the new park visitor center for Senator Thomas. The Department has not taken a position on the amended bill as no hearing was held; however, the Department supported similar legislation in the 109th Congress.
On June 22nd, the Senate passed S. 1099 (Collins, R-ME), a bill to amend chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to make individuals employed by the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission eligible to obtain Federal health insurance. The Department has not taken a position on the bill as no hearing was held.
Markups
Nothing to report.
Hearings
Nothing to report.
New Bills Introduced
Introduced on June 20th: S. 1667 (Carper, R-DE), a bill to establish a pilot program for the expedited disposal of Federal real property.
Introduced on June 21th: H.R. 2815 (Meehan, D-MA), a bill to expand the boundary of the Minute Man National Historical Park in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to include Barrett's Farm.
Upcoming Hearings and Markups
On June 28th, the House Natural Resources Committee (Rahall) Full Committee will mark up the following bills of interest to the National Park Service:
- H.R. 189 (Pascrell, D-NJ), Paterson Great Falls National Park Act of 2007.
- H.R. 761 (Fortenberry, R-NE), Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Conveyance.
- H.R. 1239 (Hastings, D-FL), National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2007.
- H.R. 1388 (Sarbanes, D-MD), Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Act.
The session at be held at 11:00 a.m. in 1324 Longworth.
On July 9th, the House Natural Resources S/C on Insular Affairs (Christensen) Subcommittee will hold a field hearing on H.R. 53 (Christensen), to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a long-term lease with the Government of the United States Virgin Islands to provide land on the island of Saint John, Virgin Islands, for the establishment of a school, and for other purposes. The hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Legislative Hearing Room, Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI. DOI witness not yet determined.
On July 9th, the House Natural Resources S/C on Insular Affairs (Christensen) Subcommittee field hearing on H.R. 59 (Christensen), to convey certain submerged lands to the Government of the Virgin Islands, and for other purposes. The hearing will be at 9:30 a.m. in Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas, USVI. DOI witness not yet determined.
[Submitted by LaTonya R. Ward, Legislative Specialist]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Outer Banks Group
GS-12/13 Administrative Officer
The Outer Banks Group — Cape Hatteras, Wright Brothers and Fort Raleigh — is looking for a highly motivated and experienced administrative officer for a great opportunity. The position is being announced through USAJOBS at the GS-12/13 grade levels. This is a permanent full-time position located at park headquarters in Manteo, North Carolina. The closest towns to park headquarters are Manteo, Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, and Kitty Hawk. Outside housing is available in the local area. Permanent change of station (PCS) expenses will be covered for current federal career or career-conditional employees. Call deputy superintendent Mark Hardgrove at 252-473-2111 ext. 151 to learn more about this exciting opportunity. Interested persons should follow the instructions on USAJOBS to apply for this position. For a copy of the announcement, click on "More Information" below. For more information on the Outer Banks, go to www.outerbanks.org .
[Submitted by Mark Hardgrove, Deputy Superintendent]
More Information...
Midwest Region
Death Of Former Fort Smith NHS Ranger
Guy Nichols, retired park ranger at Fort Smith National Historic Site, passed away on June 11th.
After serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy as an aviation instructor, Guy worked for two years with the Civilian Conservation Corps and then began a new and long career with the NPS. He was one of the first park employees at the new Fort Smith NHS, which had been dedicated in October 1964. Guy worked at the park for 30 years, retiring on July 2, 1994. For his 50 years of Federal service, he received recognition in Washington D.C.
He was well-known and loved by the local community and, towards the end of his career, especially enjoyed giving programs to the grandchildren of people he had known since they were children.
While Guy was not a trained researcher, he wanted to ensure that accuracy of material he presented the visitors. He poured through research materials, books, and articles to unravel some of the myths and legends that surrounded Judge Parker and the Federal court and sift out the truth. Even in retirement, Guy remained a valuable resource for the park, always willingly and cheerfully answering questions and providing support for the interpretive staff.
During Guy's retirement, he enjoyed spending time in his garden and dancing with his wife Kathleen. Guy was known as "Grandpa Guy" to the neighbor children, and was always available to them for support or when they needed a bicycle repair.
Condolences may be sent to his widow Kathleen Nichols at 4909 S. 18th Terrace, Fort Smith, AR 72901.
[Submitted by Julie Northrip]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:
http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type;=Announcements&id;=3363
All reports should be submitted via email to Lane Baker in the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services in the Washington Office and to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with copies to your regional office.