Gateway National Recreation Area
Piping Plover Nests Vandalized, Eggs Stolen
Two piping plover nests were vandalized in two locations within the protected nesting area at Breezy Point, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, on the night of July 3rd. In both cases, the netting that protects the exclosures was ripped open and all the eggs inside were stolen. A single set of human tracks approached the exclosures and proceeded east. Park staff discovered the vandalism while monitoring active nests the following morning. U.S. Park Police is investigating this environmental crime, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “At Gateway and for all of us who love animals, protecting endangered and threatened wildlife is one of our core responsibilities,” said Superintendent Linda Canzanelli. “Killing or harassing adult plovers or their chicks, and removing or crushing their eggs is a crime against this mild-mannered species, which needs our protection to avoid extinction. It is cowardly and wrong. And it is a felony. Help us by educating your family and friends so we can work together to protect this wonderful bird.” The Atlantic Coast piping plover population is designated as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and is considered endangered under New York State Environmental Conservation Law. The penalty for an individual who is convicted of a first offense felony violation of the ESA is a $5,000 fine and/or five-year imprisonment. Piping plovers receive additional protected status under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Individuals convicted of violating the MBTA can be fined $5,000 to $250,000 or may serve up to two years in prison. Those with information about this crime may contact U.S. Park Police at 718-338-3988.
[Submitted by John Warren]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
NIFC/NPS FIRE AND AVIATION MANAGEMENT
National Fire/Incident Situation Highlights
National Fire Activity – Preparedness Level 3
NIFC is at PL 3. Initial attack was light. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop across the Southwest, the central Rockies and the eastern Great Basin. Showers will also move across the Northwest and northern Rockies. Hot conditions will continue across the Plains.
Fire Weather Forecast
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop across the Southwest, the central Rockies and the eastern Great Basin. Showers will also move across the Northwest and northern Rockies. A cold front will move through the mid-Mississippi valley, producing thunderstorms across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic coast. Hot conditions will continue across the Plains.
To see a NOAA map of today’s critical fire weather areas, click on this link:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy1.html
Fire Summary (Five Day Trend)
|
Day |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
|
Date |
7/16 |
7/17 |
7/18 |
7/19 |
7/29 |
|
Initial Attack Fires |
108 |
161 |
143 |
192 |
174 |
|
New Large Fires |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
|
Large Fires Contained |
6 |
7 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
Uncontained Large Fires |
28 |
22 |
20 |
21 |
21 |
National Resource Commitments (Five Day Trend)
|
Day |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
|
Date |
7/16 |
7/17 |
7/18 |
7/19 |
7/20 |
|
Area Command Teams |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
NIMO Teams |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Type 1 Teams |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Type 2 Teams |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
NPS Fire Summaries
Myrtle Fire –Fire managers are working actively to contain and suppress the 1000-1500-acre Myrtle Fire burning three miles northwest of Wind Cave National Park in the Black Hills National Forest. Fire and law enforcement personnel moved visitors out of the park late yesterday afternoon, and the visitor center and ranger programs were closed. Fire personnel are conducting a large burnout operation to try to limit spread into park. The fire was reported yesterday, at 1:30 pm and is located approximately one mile east of Pringle, SD. Currently containment remains at 0 percent. Highway 385 from Pringle to Wind Cave remains closed. Custer County Sheriff Rick Wheeler and Custer County Emergency Coordinator Mike Carter are leading the evacuations of 33 residences. The highway through Wind Cave National Park to Custer State Park remains open. The American Red Cross has opened an emergency evacuation center at the Armory/Custer Middle School. Spokesman Dan Kuecker, Emergency Services Coordinator for the western services region including the Black Hills, said he can accommodate up to 100 people right now and more by tomorrow.
| Park | State | Fire | Type | Acres | Percent Contain |
Est. Full Contain |
| Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park | KY | Test | Wildfire | test | 95 | 7/20/2012 |
 |
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| Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park | KY | Test | Wildfire | test | 95 | 7/20/2012 |
 |
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| Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park | KY | Test | Wildfire | test | 100 | 7/20/2012 |
|
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| Padre Island National Seashore | TX | 6 Mile | Wildfire | 12,998 acres | 100 | July 17, 2012 |
|
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For additional information on all fires, check the following web sites:
- Archived fire news – http://www.nps.gov/applications/fire/public/pub_firenews.cfm?orderby=DateToShow&archive=true
- Map of fire locations – http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/lg_fire2.php
- Details on all current major fires – http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/sitreprt.pdf
- Fire news and fire year in perspective – http://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/nfn.htm
- InsideNPS Fire and Aviation – http://inside.nps.gov/fire
- InsideNPS Structural Fire – http://inside.nps.gov/fire/structuralfire
NPS Fire and Aviation - http://www.nps.gov/fire
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Cape Hatteras National Seashore (NC)
Sea Turtle Nesting Numbers Rise Signicantly
There has been a remarkable increase in sea turtle nesting activity at Cape Hatteras National Seashore since night driving restrictions during the turtle nesting season went into effect on Seashore beaches, as mandated by a Court approved Consent Decree.
From 2000 to 2007, before restrictions were put in place, the Seashore averaged 77.4 sea turtle nests annually. From 2008 through 2011 when night driving on Seashore beaches was prohibited from 10 pm to 6 am during the turtle nesting season, the Seashore has averaged 129 nests a year – an increase of 51.6 nests a year over the previous average!
Those four years represent the four highest turtle nest totals ever documented at the Seashore. The new Cape Hatteras off-road vehicle management plan and special regulation became effective on February 15th, 2012, and off-road vehicle driving on Seashore beaches is now prohibited from 9 pm to 7 am during the nesting season.
As of July 19th, 2012, 180 sea turtle nests have been documented, breaking the Seashore’s all-time record.
July is typically the peak month for these ocean creatures to come ashore and deposit one hundred or more leathery, ping pong ball-sized eggs per nest. Approximately 55 to 60 days later, a turtle nest "boil" will occur releasing the hatchlings from their warm, sandy nest.
Four species of sea turtles have been known to nest at Cape Hatteras National Seashore – the loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii).
[Submitted by Cyndy M. Holda, Public Affairs Specialist]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL,MS)
GS-0025-13 Supervisory Park Ranger
Gulf Islands National Seashore has issued a vacancy announcement for a GS-13 supervisory park ranger. The announcement closes on July 23rd.
Gulf Islands is the largest of the national seashores, stretching 160 miles from Cat Island, Mississippi to the eastern tip of Santa Rosa Island, Florida. Its sparkling waters and beautiful sugar white beaches make it the crown jewel of the Gulf’s Emerald Coast. The Seashore’s 12 separate units encompass five historic forts, coastal forests and marshes, and wilderness islands. Access to the Mississippi barrier islands is by boat. Four species of sea turtles nest on the islands; there are over 300 species of birds; and you can spot pods of bottlenose dolphins from the beaches. The climate is sunny and warm most of the year.
Park headquarters is located in Gulf Breeze, Florida, across the bay from Pensacola (pop. 60,000). The community boasts excellent shopping, medical facilities, cultural and sporting events, and is home to the University of West Florida and Pensacola State College. Gulf Breeze and surrounding Santa Rosa County schools are among the best in the state. The cost of living is moderate, and a wide range of housing is available. For more information contact Chaunita Webb at 850-934-2611.
[Submitted by Gail Bishop] More Information...
Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks
GS-0018-11/12 Safety & Occupational Health Manager
Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Park is seeking applicants for a safety & occupational health manager. This position, in the division of Resource & Visitor Protection at park headquarters, reports to the chief ranger and has responsibility for leading the safety programs for both parks.
Everglades National Park is a park of nationally and internationally significance; designated a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Significance. It’s also the largest subtropical designated wilderness on the North American continent.
Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote pristine subtropical marine ecosystem. Located approximately 70 miles west of Key West, the park also protects historical Fort Jefferson, an outstanding example of 19th century masonry fortification.
The vacancy announcement closes on Wednesday, August 1st.
Click on the link below for a copy of the announcement with details on duties.
[Submitted by Bonnie Foist, Chief Ranger] More Information...
NPS serious incident submission standards can be found at the following web site:
http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custompages.cfm?prg=45&id;=8728&lv;=2&pgid;=3504
All reports should now be submitted via this automated system.