NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Thursday, October 9, 2008

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INCIDENTS

Yosemite NP

Major Rockfall Destroys Cabins, Injures Several Visitors

A rockfall occurred near Curry Village in eastern Yosemite Valley around 7 a.m. yesterday morning. Park officials estimated the rockfall volume at approximately 1,800 cubic yards and determined that it released near the halfway point up the granite face above Curry Village. Three visitors received minor injuries during the incident. All three were treated and released. The rockfall destroyed an estimated seven visitor cabins, two hard sided, and three tent cabins. At least three other cabins received partial damage in the incident. Curry Village visitors were evacuated immediately. Media calls can be directed to 209-372-0248. Public information can be obtained by calling Yosemite National Park at 209-372-0356. Information for visitors with reservations at Curry Village can call DNC Parks and Resorts in Yosemite, Inc. at 801-559-5000. [Adrienne Freeman, Public Affairs Specialist]

Big Thicket NP

Hurricane Ike Recovery IMT Demobilizes

The Type 4 IMT (Dave McHugh, IC) that has been managing the hurricane recovery operation has completed its work and demobilized. All trails, roads, and day use areas within the park have now been cleared of high hazard trees. Trails are open to the public, with the exception of the Kirby Nature Trail, which will require boardwalk repair. The IMT's safety officer has asked that a physical barrier be installed to direct hikers onto a bypass section of the Kirby Nature Trail created to avoid hazard trees too dangerous to saw. The opening of the Pine Island Bayou is contingent upon EPA water quality testing of sheen. Some clearing remains to be done. All crews and equipment have been released to their home units and management of hurricane recovery has been returned to the park. [Leta Parker, Program Assistant]

Grand Canyon NP

Man Dies In 250-Foot Fall From South Rim

The park received a 911 call late on October 6th reporting that a man had fallen from the edge of the canyon at the first overlook on Desert View Drive. Responding rangers spotted the man 250 feet below the canyon rim, as did a spotter in the park helicopter, and rescue personnel quickly hiked down to his location and confirmed that he'd died in the fall. The body was lifted out of the canyon and transferred to the county medical examiner's office in Flagstaff. An investigation is underway. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]

OTHER NEWS

Among the stories in today's edition are the following:

Eugene O'Neill NHS - Eugene O'Neill's controversial 1924 play, All God's Chillun Got Wings, was staged as the highlight of the Ninth Annual Eugene O'Neill Festival last month.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6971" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6971

Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services - A limited number of Magellan Triton GPS units are available to interested parks. Requests must be submitted by month's end.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6969" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6969

Walnut Canyon NM - The popular Island Trail at Walnut Canyon National Monument reopened on September 28th following extensive repairs. The trail had been closed following major damage inflicted by a rockslide last December.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6968" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6968

Sequoia and Kings Canyon NPs - J.D. Swed, the chief ranger at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, will retire on January 2nd. J.D. has 33 years of service with the National Park Service.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2094" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2094

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Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:

HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363

Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).

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