Natchez Trace Parkway (AL,MS,TN)
Fatal Accident Is Fourth In Five Weeks On Parkway
T.V., 18, of Raymond, Mississippi, was killed when his 1997 BMW left the parkway and struck several trees near milepost 84 on the evening of October 22nd. Rangers Patrick Shell and Tim Lacy responded and are investigating. T.V. was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident. Speed and rainstorms in the area may have been contributing factors, but the accident remains under investigation. This was the fourth fatal accident in the park in the past five weeks. [Submitted by Allen S. Etheridge, Chief Ranger]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Interagency Fire Center
Federal, State Fire Experts Join In Response To Fire
Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner yesterday announced that additional incident management teams are en route to Southern California to assist with containing the rapidly spreading wildfires. These teams are comprised of specialists from eight state and federal agencies who routinely work together in responding to disaster and wildfire emergencies.
"California's tremendous firefighters are not alone in fighting these fires," said Kempthorne. "The federal government, through the National Interagency Fire Center, has responded to all requests for assistance made by the State of California. Last night, I assured Governor Schwarzenegger, Senator Feinstein and other California leaders that the federal family stands ready to offer additional assistance if requested."
"I spoke with Governor Schwarzenegger yesterday and I am pleased that we can help California by lending our firefighters, equipment and aircraft which are the backbone for combating devastating wildfires," said Conner. "Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this disaster and we will continue to dedicate all available resources to contain these fires."
More than 2,000 members of the interagency wildland firefighting community mobilized through the National Interagency Coordination Center are engaged in a wide range of wildfire response efforts to several fires in Southern California. Requests for assistance through the National Interagency Fire Center began on October 21st and firefighters and incident management teams were mobilized from across the country. These professionals come from across the spectrum of federal, state and local wildland fire organizations.
Since the Southern California wildfires started burning, the following resources have been deployed:
- one area command team (5 persons per team) to provide communication and coordination assistance for several fires;
- four type one incident management teams (20 persons per team) to establish an effective firefighting organization and develop the tactics and strategies for containment;
- 31 crews which include 25 elite firefighter hot shot crews specially trained to handle difficult and extreme incidents;
- 90 fire engines with support from 22 strike teams (110 persons total for strike teams) to work directly on fire lines;
- 11 water tenders which support the fire and aviation activities;
- 11 heavy air tankers to support the ground firefighters in attacking fires;
- 14 medium and heavy helicopters to assist the ground firefighters with strategic pinpoint drops on identified areas of the fire; and
- six bulldozers to establish the line to halt further spread of the fire.
Because of the rapidly changing nature of these fires, it is likely that more teams and equipment will be deployed today.
The National Interagency Fire Center is the national support center for wildland firefighting. Federal and state agencies share firefighting supplies, equipment and personnel to facilitate efficient and cost-effective firefighting or disaster management.
Eight agencies coordinate and support wildland fire and disaster operations: U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service as well as the National Association of State Foresters, the National Weather Service and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Additional information and updates about USDA and DOI Southern California wildfire response efforts are posted on the Web at www.usda.gov and www.doi.gov. For more information about the National Interagency Fire Center go to www.nifc.gov.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (CA)
Park Closures Continue Due To Fire Danger
National Park Service lands within the boundaries of Santa Monica Mountains NRA will remain closed today (Wednesday) due to a weather forecast calling for continued windy and dry conditions through this afternoon.
Park employees who reside in Solstice Canyon have been allowed to return home. As of yesterday, though, there was no power to thebuildings. Since the local utility company is currently busy fixing power lines all over southern California, it might be a day or two before electricity is restored.
The Canyon Fire in Malibu behaved itself on Monday night. Although it was still active in its northeastern corner, firefighters were able to continue building fire lines on most sides. They hope to fully contain the fire by Friday. At the time of the report yesterday afternoon, it had burned 4,400 acres and was 15% contained.
The Magic Fire north of the San Fernando Valley was 40% contained, which is good news, as it threatened some parts of the park. The nearby Ranch Fire, though was still active. If the two of them move together, there could be enough energy to push them farther west toward Rocky Peak.
[Submitted by Marty O'Toole, Fire Education, Prevention and Information Specialist]
More Information...
Cabrillo National Monument (CA)
Park Closes Due To High Fire Danger
The park was closed yesterday due to extreme fire danger and will remain closed through Thursday, October 25th. Naval Base Point Loma, in coordination with the National Park Service, closed access to the entire Point Loma Peninsula due to fire danger, with the exception of the Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Several park staff have prepared for evacuation from their homes or have already been evacuated. Due to the fires in other areas of San Diego County, there are very few fire suppression resources available to the park if an emergency breaks out.
"Our first priority is to ensure the safety of the public", said Tom Workman, superintendent of Cabrillo National Monument. "The risk of someone being trapped by a wildland fire or accidentally starting one during this exceptionally dangerous weather is too high, and has forced us to act with caution."
The National Weather Service yesterday extended a red flag advisory until 3 p.m. today due to low relative humidity, high winds, and warm temperatures. The relative humidity today reached a low of 13% and wind gusts increased to 28 mph by late yesterday afternoon.
Most San Diego County agencies, schools, and businesses have closed down due to the fires in order to allow people to evacuate their homes, remain indoors due to extremely poor air quality, and to facilitate emergency response for fire suppression efforts.
The Harris and Witch Creek Fires in San Diego County have combined to burn more than 200,000 acres, sending huge plumes of burnt ashes into the air over the entire county. Both fires were 5% or less contained at the time of yesterday's report. More home evacuations are imminent, adding to the over 500,000 people who have already evacuated from their homes in San Diego County.
The park closure includes all parking lots, trailheads and trails, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, Assistant Keepers Quarters, army radio station, visitor center, tidepools, Bayside Trail and all buildings. Law enforcement personnel are working extended hours patrolling Cabrillo National Monument.
[Submitted by Ely Edquid, Chief Ranger]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
United States Park Police
Announcement Issued For Park Police Officers
An announcement has been posted to USAJOBS for U.S. Park Police officers. The full performance level will be SP-0083-01 — duty locations are in Washington, San Francisco and New York. The announcement number is NPS-USPP-08-01 and it closes on November 9th. All selected candidates will initially report to the Washington, D.C., area. After appointment and orientation, they will then report to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, for 24 weeks of training. After training, officers may be reassigned to Washington or to either New York or San Francisco. For more information please contact Katrina Mays at 202-619-7056. For a copy of the announcement, click on "More Information."
More Information...
George Washington Birthplace National Monument (VA)
GS-1016-7 Museum Technician
George Washington Birthplace and Thomas Stone have issued an announcement for a permanent, full-time GS-7 museum technician. The person selected will be duty stationed at George Washington Birthplace but will serve the museum needs for both parks. The announcement is GATE-07-072 and it closes on November 9th. For a copy, click on "More Information."
[Submitted by Rijk Moräwe, Integrated Resources Program Manager]
More Information...
Cape Lookout National Seashore (NC)
Russ Wilson Named Superintendent
Russel J. "Russ" Wilson has been selected as the new superintendent of Cape Lookout National Seashore. He comes to Cape Lookout from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, were he served for the last four years as deputy superintendent. Wilson will assume his new responsibilities on November 9th.
"Russ brings tremendous experience in park management and park operations to his new assignment," said acting regional director Art Frederick. "He has been a successful park manager for 10 years and has an impressive track record of community involvement, working with park partners, elected officials, and other stakeholders. We are thrilled to have him as a member of the cadre of superintendents in the Southeast Region."
Wilson's career with the NPS spans 30 years and includes numerous assignments. He accepted his first NPS position at Assateague Island following graduation from Pennsylvania State University with a BS degree in park management. He then worked at Cape Cod National Seashore as a horse patrol ranger and numerous parks as a boat patrol ranger.
Wilson earned a law degree from Golden Gate University in San Francisco in 1984. He served five-and-a-half years as an assistant district attorney in Massachusetts before returning to the NPS in 1992 when he accepted a position with the Alaska Regional Office's Ranger Activities Division in Anchorage.
He later served as acting superintendent of War in the Pacific and American Memorial during 1998 and 1999. From 1999 to 2000, he was acting deputy superintendent at Denali. He also was superintendent of the Sandy Hook Unit at Gateway from 2002 to 2004.
"My first visit to Carteret County was in 1989 to visit my brother, who was a Navy doctor serving as a flight surgeon at Cherry Point," Wilson said. "He lived in Morehead City and just loved the area and the people; he still speaks fondly of his time there. It was a memorable visit that left me hoping to return and I'm looking forward to learning more about the history and culture of the county's communities."
Off duty, Wilson volunteers as an attorney-coach on the Woodlake High School mock trial team and as a sound technician for the Sierra Traditional Jazz Club concert series. He also enjoys sailing and fishing.
[Submitted by William F. Reynolds, Assistant Regional Director for Communications, SERO]
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.