Monday, November 21, 1994
94-648 - Mojave (California) - Special Operations
Five members of the Western Region special events team have been assigned to
the new, 1,419,800-acre preserve to bring a uniformed National Park Service
presence to the area until the park can be staffed. Team members arrived on
site on October 31st, the day President Clinton signed the bill creating Mojave
National Preserve. Their primary function is to contact as many visitors and
local landowners as possible to establish positive working relationships for
the future. Team members are also patrolling and monitoring approximately
2,500 miles of secondary roads and 235 miles of paved roadway. Law enforcement
incidents have included cattle trespass, mining trespass, residential trespass,
recreational bulldozing, motor vehicle accidents, stolen vehicles, search and
rescue, vandalism, off-road use, dumping, and modern day train bandits. Many
of these are being jointly investigated with BLM rangers. Hunting is
authorized in the area, so rangers have been contacting hunters, most of whom
come from the Los Angeles basin. Team members are also employing maintenance
skills to work on generators, water heaters, pumps, fences, new NPS signs on
roads and trails, and facilities. The rangers are currently working and living
at the "Hole In The Wall" fire station, located in the middle of the preserve.
Favorable comments have already been received from visitors and some landowners
concerning the team and its work. Current plans are to keep them on site until
after Thanksgiving, at which time other personnel will be assigned. [Aniceto
L. Olais, ORPI, 11/17]
Wednesday, March 22, 1995
95-112 - Mojave (California) - Raid on Methamphetamine Lab
On March 15th, rangers and San Bernadino county detectives raided a site in the
park which contained an illegal methamphetamine lab. Over 40 pounds of
methamphetamine valued at over $500,000 was seized in the raid. A hazardous
waste team was subsequently called in to clean up the location. No one was at
the site at the time of the raid, but arrests are expected. [Bill Blake, CR,
MOJA, 3/21]
Thursday, April 20, 1995
95-166 - East Mojave (California) - MVA with Fatality
S.G. was killed in a one car accident on Kelso-Cima Road on April 7th.
S.G. and two companions were touring the park when the accident occurred; both
companions were seriously injured. Rangers from the Hole-in-the-Wall ranger
station responded along with state officers. That section of the road is one
of the many "low flying zones" in the park on which vehicles often exceed 85
mph. [CRO, MOJA, 4/19]
Friday, May 5, 1995
95-196 - Mojave (California) - Hazmat Spill; Probable Smuggling; Pursuit
The park's sole on-duty patrol ranger was notified by the Federal Interagency
Communication Center (FICC) of a gasoline pipeline spill in the northeast
section of the park late on the afternoon of May 1st. It took the ranger three
hours to find the leak, which was determined to be on BLM land. The 20-year-
old pipeline crosses the park, though, and has only recently been brought back
on line after an extended period in which it was not used. More leaks are
considered possible. While returning from this incident, the ranger observed a
some strange lights setting down on the Kelbaker Road, then move, lift off, and
depart toward the southwest. Since the park's roads have been used in the past
as clandestine air strips for smuggling, the ranger advised Customs via the
FICC. Shortly after the aircraft took off, a vehicle coming from the area
where the plane landed passed by the ranger at a speed in excess of 100 mph.
The ranger followed the vehicle in his truck, hoping to catch up to it when it
slowed down in the Granite Pass area. The vehicle was finally stopped at the
junction of I-40 and Kelbaker Road; two California Highway Patrol units
assisted. Although it was not possible to connect the vehicle with the plane,
information on both the vehicle and driver were turned over to Customs. [Bill
Blake, CR, MOJA, 5/4]
Tuesday, June 20, 1995
95-311 - Mojave (California) - Vandalism: Threats
During the night of June 15th, the park superintendent's garage and vehicle at
his residence in Barstow were vandalized with threatening statements. A person
or persons wrote the following on both: "COPS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, PIGS AND YOU",
followed by a target and the number "187", the section of the California penal
code that deals with homicide (and commonly used in graffiti). The vehicle's
windows were also broken out. The superintendent is often in uniform and in
association with BLM and NPS rangers involved in the transition of the park
from BLM management. It's believed that the attack was directed towards him
because of this association. Local law enforcement officers took the
preliminary report and are conducting an investigation in conjunction with the
NPS and BLM. [Bill Blake, CR, MOJA, 6/15]
Tuesday, August 22, 1995
95-541 - Mojave (California) - Assist; Felony Arrest
On the evening of August 14th, a San Bernadino deputy called the park for
assistance in tracking down C.K., a prisoner who'd escaped from the
Baker correctional facility on the previous evening. The deputy believed that
he'd fled into the park. Chief ranger Bill Blake and ranger Brian Willbond
responded. Blake and the deputy picked up a fresh track, which soon led to
C.K., who was found lying on the ground behind a sagebrush bush. C.K. was
arrested. It was later learned that he'd escaped from the minimum security
prison to avoid association with a group with had drawn straws to decide who
would kill another prisoner - or be killed by the group. C.K. had drawn the
short straw. [Mary Martin, Assistant Superintendent, MOJA]
Friday, August 25, 1995
95-551 - Mojave (California) - Hazardous Materials Dumping Arrests
On August 17th, a team comprised of park and BLM rangers and investigators and
state game wardens witnessed Louis and Gabriel Lefave and a juvenile, all from
Las Vegas, dumping hazardous and toxic materials onto BLM land located in
California and adjacent to the park. The three men were subsequently arrested
and charged with single felony counts of illegally dumping hazardous wastes.
Their arrests marked the culmination of a month-and-a-half long investigation
into a series of hazmat dumping cases in the park and on surrounding BLM and
private lands. At least one of the dump sites is within a park wilderness
area. A dozen sites have so far been found; together, they contain a total of
108 55-gallon drums of toxic and hazardous materials, some of which have
spilled their contents onto and into surrounding soil. Information gleaned in
the arrests suggests that there may be 30 more drums at another four to six
sites. The Service and BLM have so far expended about $170,000 on clean-up of
these sites and on the associated criminal investigation. The NPS share has
come through the support of the hazmat coordinator in Pacific West Field
Office. Following the arrests, park, BLM and EPA rangers and investigators
served search warrants on a Las Vegas firm and the residence of the firm's
owner. More evidence was obtained in the searches. Additional charges and
arrests are pending. Both the site clean-up and the investigations are being
managed under the incident command system. Agencies involved include the NPS,
BLM, FBI, EPA, California Fish and Game, the Nevada Highway Patrol, and the San
Bernadino health department. [Bill Blake, IC, MOJA]
Friday, August 25, 1995
95-552 - Mojave (California) - Homicide Investigation
On August 22nd, Lake Mead and Mojave rangers, ATF agents and Las Vegas homicide
detectives executed a search warrant at the residence of Scott Wayne, who lives
in a private residence within the park's boundaries. Wayne is a suspect in a
homicide in which an innocent bystander was killed during the bombing of a
house trailer. Wayne was not at home, but a significant quantity of det cord,
hand grenades and other explosives were found there - along with a .50 caliber
machine gun and ammunition and an illegal rifle. Rangers at Mojave had
previously contacted Wayne regarding drug and weapons violations. [Thane
Weigand, DR, Kelso District, MOJA]
Friday, September 15, 1995
95-551 - Mojave (California) - Follow-up on Hazardous Materials Dumping
On September 14th, a federal grand jury returned a 21 felony count indictment
charging Fluid Polymers, a Nevada Corporation; G.L., the president of
that company; and L.L. with unlawfully transporting and disposing of
hazardous waste, water pollution, and injury to federal property. On the night
of September 14th, a team of investigators arrested G.L., the fourth
arrest in this case. If convicted, the maximum penalty under federal law is
five years' imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on each count. This indictment
and the additional arrest stemmed from a joint investigation by the NPS, BLM,
EPA and California Fish and Game into the illegal dumping of industrial wastes,
including hazardous waste, at a dozen sites in the Mojave Desert. Six of those
sites were within the park. The case is being prosecuted by the environmental
crimes unit of the U.S. attorney's office for the central district of
California. That office cited the team for its highly professional and
thorough investigation. [Bill Blake, CR, MOJA]
Tuesday, October 31, 1995
95-713 - Mojave (California) - Train Robbery
Over the past weekend, rangers discovered numerous boxes of goods hidden along
the Union Pacific Railway road line near Cedar Canyon Road. The boxes
contained a variety of items, including high quality leather brief cases,
10,000 cartons of cigarettes, stereos, speakers, televisions and tennis shoes.
Trains on this section of the line were robbed of over $1,000,000 in goods last
year. It's believed that groups out of Los Angeles are responsible for the
thefts. Arrests have been made for similar cases in the past. Union Pacific
has asked rangers to investigate these and other thefts. [Thane Wiegand, DR,
Kelso District, MOJA]
Tuesday, October 31, 1995
95-714 - Mojave (California) - MVA with Fatality
A single car accident occurred on Black Canyon Road on October 29th. B.M.,
37, of Las Vegas, was killed; the driver of the vehicle, M.K.,
also of Las Vegas, was arrested for felony drunken driving. M.K. also had a
felony warrant out for his arrest for sale and possession of dangerous drugs.
The section of the road where the accident occurred has had several single car
accidents, mostly because of high speeds and poor road conditions. [Thane
Wiegand, DR, Kelso District, MOJA]
Wednesday, November 22, 1995
95-748 - Mojave (California) - Drug Lab
Rangers received a call from a park resident on November 18th advising that a
methamphetamine lab was in operation at Death Valley Mine. The reporting party
said that the four people at the site were all armed. It was subsequently
determined that two of the four were wanted by the San Bernadino sheriff's
office for questioning in several area thefts. Two rangers and a deputy
investigated. As they approached the area, one of the two people at the site
fled. Although several structures at the mine had been forcibly entered and
had apparently been lived in, no signs of drug activity were found that
evening. The reporting party called the next day to say that he'd gone back to
the mine and found many items missed by the rangers the previous evening. He
provided rangers with collected several types of chemicals that are commonly
used in production of methamphetamine, and showed them where he'd found the
items. It became apparent that he had a very good knowledge of hiding places
at the site and of the types of items that the rangers were seeking. The
county sheriff was notified, and a drug team was called in. Lab test results
are pending. The investigation continues. [DR, Kelso District, MOJA]
Tuesday, May 7, 1996
96-187 - Mojave (California) - Structural Fires
On April 25th, a San Bernadino county engine and crew responded to the report
of a fire at the Telegraph Mine within the park and found five mobile homes
and a nearby wash house fully involved. Four of the five mobile homes were
unoccupied, and nobody was injured. All six buildings were destroyed. The
fire, which started in the occupied mobile home, is under investigation.
[AO, MOJA]
Friday, May 10, 1996
96-199 - Mojave (California) - Arson Arrest
On May 6th, San Bernadino county deputies arrested D.H. for suspected
arson activity in the park. D.H. may be responsible for over 20 fires in the
area. Further information is being developed and will be forthcoming. Any
parks with recent suspected arson fires should check for records of contacts
with D.H. Please notify Eric Inman at Death Valley (on cc:Mail at NP--WR)
if you have any relevant information. [Eric Inman, CI, DEVA]
Tuesday, July 2, 1996
96-332 - Mojave (California) - MVA with Fatality
Three brothers from Italy were traveling through the park on the night of
June 16th when the driver swerved to avoid an animal, lost control of the
Chevrolet Corsica, went off the road, and overturned. A.G., 33, was
thrown from his rear seat through the back window and killed. His brothers
sustained minor injuries. A.G. was not wearing a seatbelt. [Mary Martin,
Superintendent, MOJA]
Monday, October 28, 1996
95-551 - Mojave NP (California) - Follow-up on Hazardous Materials Dumping
Between April and August, 1995, Ge.L., 72, L.L., 30, Ga.L.,
18, and a juvenile member of their family dumped hazardous wastes at
15 sites in California, Arizona and Utah, including 105 55-gallon drums and
many other containers at a dozen sites in Mojave NP and adjacent BLM and
private lands. Clean-up costs exceeded $200,000. A four-month-long joint
investigation involving NPS, BLM, EPA, FBI and state investigators culminated
in August, 1995, in the arrest of L.L. and Ga.L. and the juvenile
after the trio dumped six drums on BLM land near the park. Final sentences
in the case were recently handed down. Ge.L. was sentenced to 46
months in prison and ordered to pay almost $40,000 in restitution. His
sentence was affected by his recruitment and use of a juvenile and by the
fact that he organized and lead the operation. The court declined to reduce
his sentence due to age and medical conditions. L.L. was sentenced
to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay another $40,000 in restitution.
The Fluid Polymers Corporation was also ordered to pay $40,000 in restitution
and was fined $10,000. [Alan Foster, CI, WHIS]
Tuesday, January 14, 1997
97-11 - Mojave NP (California) - Train Wreck
A Union Pacific train carrying corn and grain derailed near the historic
Kelso Depot on the afternoon of Saturday, January 12th. A total of 68 cars
and tons of corn were piled in a huge heap. Miraculously, there were no
injuries, and no hazardous materials or fuels were spilled. The wreck
occurred within the railroads right-of-way, so there was little disturbance
of park resources. The Kelso-Cima Road, a primary route through the park,
will remain closed for three days to aid cleanup efforts. The cause of the
accident is under investigation, but speed and break failure are probable
contributing factors. Death Valley rangers assisted in the investigation.
[Sean McGuinness, CR, MOJA]
Tuesday, June 3, 1997
97-241 - Mojave NP (CA) - Assist; MVA with Three Fatalities
On May 26th, the Hole in the Wall interagency fire center in the park
received a mutual aid request from San Bernadino County to respond to a
multi-casualty accident on I-40 at Essex Road. Park and BLM firefighters
from the center responded and found a passenger van which had rolled several
times, ejecting all nine occupants - five adults and four children. None had
been wearing seatbelts. Two children, aged four and seven, and a 25-year-old
male died from their injuries; the remaining six passengers sustained
injuries ranging from minor to severe. The apparent cause of the accident
was a tire blowout at high speed, which caused the driver to lose control and
the vehicle to roll over inside the center median. State officers are
investigating. [Marcia Schramm, LAME, 5/27]
Tuesday, August 5, 1997
97-433 - Mojave NP (CA) - Storm Damage
A severe lightning storm which passed through the area early on the morning
of July 28th damaged the world's tallest thermometer, which is located on the
front of the park's Mojave desert information center in Baker. It's
uncertain if the thermometer was struck directly or suffered from power
surge, but it initially read 130 degrees when the actual temperature was in
the 80s. The thermometer has been shut down until the motor can be rebuilt.
It could be down from one to two weeks, during what will probably be the
hottest weather of the summer. The incident received coverage on television
stations in Los Angeles. [Interpretation, MOJA, 8/4]
Wednesday, November 5, 1997
97-687 - Mojave NPr (CA) - HazMat Spill Cleanup
Between July and August of 1996, an estimated 230,000 gallons of pipe scale
and waste effluents were released at nine separate locations along the 14-
mile-long waste pipeline that runs through BLM's Needles Resource Area and
Mojave National Preserve. The releases were associated with the pigging
(cleaning) of the pipeline. The pipeline runs from a lanthanide rare earth
mining/processing plant in Mountain Pass, California, to Ivanpah Dry Lake Bed
near the California/Nevada line adjacent to I-15. The product released from
the pipeline, which is owned and maintained by Molycorp, a subsidiary of
UNOCAL, contains radioactive radium, thorium and uranium, as well as lead and
arsenic. The releases occurred in critical habitat for the threatened desert
tortoise. The incident is currently being managed under a unified command by
an interagency Type II incident management team whose members are from the
NPS in Alaska and BLM's Needles office. Among the agency representatives to
the team are personnel from the California Department of Fish and Game, which
has jurisdiction over the coordination of hazmat incidents in California.
Other cooperating agencies include the California Department of Health
Service's Radiological Health Branch and Department of Toxic Substances
Control, the regional water quality board, and the county fire and hazmat
department. Costs to date are estimated to be $3 million, and will likely
reach $7 million by the time the cleanup is completed. A total of 69 people
are committed to the incident. To date, 56 tortoises have been relocated
from the incident site and over 20,000 feet of tortoise exclusion fencing has
been installed. Removal of the release materials prior to the anticipated El
Nino period is critical to maintaining the quality of the aquifer and to
preventing further dispersal via wind. [JD Swed, IC, Betty Knight, IO, MOJA,
11/4]
Monday, December 1, 1997
97-717 - Mojave NP (CA) - Train Robberies
Over the past month, between $250,000 and $350,000 worth of merchandise has
been looted from containers on Union Pacific trains passing through the park.
The trains are loaded with goods from Pacific Rim nations in Los Angeles and
Long Beach, then shipped east on "double stack" freight trains. Just east of
the historic railroad town of Kelso, the trains must climb a steep grade up
Cima Hill. This slows their speed to as low as eight miles per hour,
permitting thieves who have already boarded the trains to toss merchandise to
waiting confederates, who in turn either load the merchandise into trucks or
stash it in the desert for later pickup. Stolen items include Nike shoes,
fax machines, CD/stereo systems, clothing and VCRs. The gangs are comprised
of Mexican nationals and work for criminal elements in Los Angeles. Rangers
and special agents from the railroad have worked together to recover a
substantial portion of the stolen items and have arrested three Mexican
nationals for felony burglary. All three have extensive criminal histories
and are awaiting trial and deportation. Joint operations will continue in an
effort to eliminate this type of criminal activity from the park. [Tim
Duncan, DR, Kelso District, MOJA, 11/30]
Tuesday, December 9, 1997
97-687 - Mojave NP (CA) - Follow-up on HazMat Spill Cleanup
Pacific West Region's Type II incident management team assumed responsibility
for the cleanup operation from the Alaska team on November 12th and is
managing the incident under a unified command with BLM. The team is managing
the cleanup of over 235,000 gallons of hazardous waste which was released
from a Molycorp mine wastewater pipeline onto the Ivanpah Dry Lake area,
which provides habitat for the threatened desert tortoise. There were at
least nine unauthorized releases of mine waste effluent containing heavy
metals and radioactive material between July 24 and August 25, 1996. Work
crews are shoveling waste effluent precipitates into metal drums or
suctioning other hazardous materials directly into covered bins. Plans are
being made for the proper disposal of this material, pending the outcome of
testing. A total of 54 people are currently assigned to the incident,
including 25 overhead. Molycorp has funded the cleanup and incident costs,
which have so far come to $3.6 million, with projected total costs of $11
million. The NPS cost to date has been $116,000. The cleanup of visible and
radioactive waste should be completed by the target date of January 8th.
Additional cleanup of non-visible wastes may be necessary, depending on lab
results. [Frank Dean, IO, 12/9]
Monday, December 29, 1997
97-687 - Mojave NP (CA) - Follow-up on HazMat Spill Cleanup
The Pacific West Region's Type II all risk management (ARM) team has been
managing the cleanup of 235,000 gallons of hazardous waste in the Ivanpah Dry
Lake area since mid-November under a unified command with BLM. Surface
contaminants containing heavy metals at two locations in the park and at all
but one location on BLM lands were containerized as of December 20th. This
area has been secured and will be cleaned up during a scheduled shutdown of
the pipeline from January 2nd to the 7th. At present, there are 63, 20-yard
bins stored on-site, awaiting concurrence on their correct characterization
before they are shipped to appropriate environmental land fills. Additional
cleanup of the entire area will be conducted after lab results are received
from more than 2,000 samples and the agencies agree with Molycorp on the
extend of the cleanup. During the period from December 12th to the 20th,
there were 60 people assigned to the incident, including 11 from the NPS.
Limited action will occur during the holidays, but four members of the team
will be on-site during the pipeline shutdown and cleanup. The company is
responsible for costs, which currently exceed $5 million. Total agency costs
are estimated at about $900,000; NPS costs are estimated at about $300,000.
[ARM Team, MOJA, 12/24]
Friday, March 6, 1998
98-91 - Mojave NP (CA) - Drug Lab Arrests
While visiting the Rainbow Wells mining site on February 3rd, members of
the park staff noticed possible evidence that a drug lab had been
operating on the abandoned mining site. An investigation was started
by Death Valley criminal investigator Eric Inman in conjunction with
Mojave rangers and a DEA joint drug task force. Surveillance was begun
on the site in an attempt to apprehend the suspected drug
manufacturers. During the early morning hours of February 19th,
the joint drug task force, consisting of rangers and criminal
investigators from the two parks, DEA agents, and local law enforcement
officers, raided the suspected methamphetamine lab. The mining site
and the associated buildings used in this clandestine lab were all
located on government property within the preserve. Two men - E.W.
and T.M. - were on site and had a methamphetamine
"cook" going when the task force arrived. E.W. was apprehended at
the scene as he attempted to drive off in his truck; T.M. fled into
the surrounding desert on foot. He evaded detection and capture by a
canine unit and aerial surveillance units, but was subsequently
captured by a San Bernardino county sheriff's deputy on the morning of
February 20th when he called a tow company to remove his disabled
vehicle from the crime scene. The pickup truck had been impounded the
day before. Also found and seized at the site were high-powered
weapons and ammunition. The street value of the meth produced and
found at the site has been placed at approximately $75,000. Federal
drug manufacturing charges and several environmental crime-related
charges dealing with the production and dumping of hazardous material
are being filed on each of the men. The funding for this operation and
for recent drug/hazmat training came from the desert parks' drug
initiative fund. [Tim Duncan, DR, Kelso District, MOJA, 3/3]
Wednesday, March 25, 1998
98-116 - Mojave NP (CA) - Rescue; Life Saved
On the afternoon of March 15th, rangers received a report of a fall in the
Hole-in-the-Wall area. Rangers Brian Willbond and Tim Duncan arrived on
scene and soon located C.H. of Los Angeles, who had fallen
about 40 feet down a sheer rock wall to its base - but still 250 feet up the
side of a steep rock scree slope. He had sustained head and massive body
injuries to his right side. Due to darkness and the victim's location, a
helicopter rescue was deemed impractical. County fire and ambulance units
from Needles and Baker responded to support the three-hour-long technical
rescue. C.H. was flown to a trauma center in Palm Springs. [Tim Duncan,
DR, MOJA, 3/22]
Wednesday, July 1, 1998
98-332 - Mojave NP (CA) - MVA with Park Fire Truck
On the evening of June 28th, the joint NPS-BLM "Hole-in-the-Wall" fire crew
responded to a small brush fire along Interstate 15 near the park's boundary.
A local tow truck operator heading southbound on the interstate fell asleep
while at the wheel, sideswiped the NPS engine parked on the shoulder, swerved
back into traffic, narrowly missed another vehicle, came back onto the
shoulder and hit the BLM engine on its left rear wheels, axle and body,
careened of the engine, narrowly missed a county engine, went over the
shoulder, and came to rest in the burned out area. The tow truck was
totaled, but, miraculously, the tow truck operator and one firefighter
sustained only minor injuries. The park's model 62 engine suffered minor
damage. This section of I-15 is one of the busiest and deadliest highways in
California. Engine captains Jeremy Monroe and James Aragon have been
credited for ensuring the safety of their crews. Their attention to detail
likely prevented a tragic outcome. [Sean McGuinness, CR, MOJA, 6/30]
Friday, August 14, 1998
98-500 - Mojave NP (CA) - Assist; MVA with Fire and Injuries
The park received a mutual aid request from the county fire department for an
accident involving two semi's on I-40 near the park's Kelbaker Road at 4 a.m.
on August 9th. A truck hauling lumber rolled over and collided with a second
semi; both were then engulfed in flames. Rangers and park firefighters were
first on scene. They provided immediate medical care to one person with
major injuries and three others with minor injuries and began suppressing the
fire. A county air ambulance, emergency crews and state police arrived
shortly thereafter. Fire suppression continued until noon. I-40 remained
closed until 7 p.m., causing a major traffic backup and detours on roads
within the park. Rangers assisted California Highway Patrol officers with
traffic control until the interstate could be cleared of debris and reopened.
[Sean McGuinness, CR, MOJA, 8/11]
Friday, December 4, 1998
98-739 - Mojave NP (CA) - Employee Injury
While entering a concession building during a visit to Lake Mead NRA on
November 28th, Mojave NP superintendent Mary Martin slipped and fell on a
rain-slick ramp. Martin was taken to an emergency room in Las Vegas, where
she underwent x-rays and treatment. She suffered a severe broken upper arm
and many bumps and bruises. It's estimated that she will be out of work for
four to six weeks. Cards and notes can be sent to her at 28485 Windy Pass
Road, Barstow, CA 92311. [Shauna Dyas, MOJA, 11/30]
Thursday, March 18, 1999
99-92 - Mojave NP (CA) - Assist: Resource Violations
On the morning of March 7th, NPS rangers assisted BLM rangers in the arrest
of two Mexican nationals and the seizure of 60 barrel cactus plants that had
been harvested illegally in a BLM wilderness area. The two men had stopped
to repair a flat tire on their pickup when they were spotted by a BLM ranger
who was on patrol in the Mesquite wilderness area, which is adjacent to the
park. Upon sighting the BLM vehicle, the two men fled into the desert,
leaving behind the truck's keys, their personal belongings, food and
beverages, and the cacti, which were in the truck. An aerial search of the
area was conducted with the assistance of a helicopter from the county
sheriff's office. No sign of the men was found. They were apprehended the
following morning as they were walking along a county road, headed back to
Interstate 15 and a public phone. The investigation continues. [ACR, MOJA,
3/17]
Thursday, April 1, 1999
99-110 - Mojave NP (NV) - MVA with Multiple Injuries
On the evening of March 30th, NPS and BLM staff from the Hole in the Wall
Interagency Fire Center responded to a mutual aid request on Interstate 15.
A tour bus with 51 passengers collided with a semi, with both vehicles ending
up on park land. The semi became entangled with the bus and overturned;
miraculously, the bus stayed upright. The driver and a passenger in the semi
were both ejected and sustained critical injuries. The bus driver sustained
major injuries and had to be extricated from the vehicle. Many bus
passengers were also hurt. Those with critical injuries were flown to Las
Vegas. The investigation is being handled by the California Highway Patrol.
[Sean McGuinness, CR, MOJA, 3/31]
Friday, November 5, 1999
99-657 - Systemwide - Special Event: Millennium 2000
Parks throughout the system are making preparations for millennium-related
events which will take place on or around New Years Eve. The Morning Report
will provide continuing updates on those preparations and on the activities
themselves as they occur. Today's initial entry comes from Jerry McCarthy in
Pacific West Region:
o Mojave NP/Death Valley NP/Joshua Tree NP/Lake Mead NRA (CA/NV) - Staff
from the four parks will meet in December to prepare a desert
contingency plan. All are expecting heavy visitation, particularly
Lake Mead, which will receive spillover from Las Vegas. Plans
presently call for having all law enforcement staff on duty for the
event.
Parks making similar preparations are encouraged to submit short summaries to
the Morning Report. [Editor]
Monday, May 1, 2000
00-175 - Mojave NP (CA) - Plane Crash with Fatality
A search was begun on March 8th for an overdue Piper Cub that had been
returning to Chino, California, from Las Vegas. The search focused on
an area stretching from the Nevada-California state line to Cajon Pass
in San Bernadino County. On March 13th, the park learned that the
crashed plane had been found about three miles inside the park, and
that the pilot and sole occupant, R.B., had been killed. The
park is conducting an investigation and documenting resource damage.
[Tim Duncan, PR, MOJA, 4/23]
Monday, August 28, 2000
00-529 - Mojave NP (CA) - Counterfeiting
An employee for Omega Toilet, a company that services outhouses in the
high desert area of the park, found a bundle of money inside at a
portable toilet at Kelso Depot on August 10th. The money had become
lodged in the suction hose he was using to clean the outhouse. He
found that the square bundle he extricated from the hose had $20 bills
wrapped in tape inside, and that all the bills had the same serial
number. He called the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Office in Lucerne
Valley and turned over the counterfeit bills to them. The bundle
contained 163 complete and two partial $20 bills. The Secret Service
was contacted and will lead in the investigation. [Chris Jefferson,
ACR, MOJA, 8/23]
Monday, September 18, 2000
00-587 - Mojave NP (CA) - Suicide
The engineer on a Union Pacific freight train spotted a body on the
railroad tracks between the towns of Cima and Kelso on September 5th
and reported the discovery to a Union Pacific special agent. The agent
in turn notified the park. Ranger Sean Isham and assistant chief
ranger Chris Jefferson investigated. While Isham and the agent
photographed the body, Jefferson checked out a report of an abandoned
vehicle a quarter mile away. County deputies had found a Chevrolet
pick-up with Arizona plates parked facing west in the eastbound lane
of the Kelso-Cima Road - doors unlocked, keys in the ignition, and
motor running. Personal items, food, tools and a suicide note were
found on the front seat. The picture on the license found in the
truck's cab matched the man on the tracks. The incident closed the
rail line for five hours until the coroner arrived and released the
body. [Chris Jefferson, ACT, MOJA, 9/5]
Tuesday, September 26, 2000
00-610 - Mojave NP (CA) - MVA with Two Fatalities
Rangers and park firefighters responded to a single-vehicle rollover
accident on Kelbaker Road about a dozen miles south of Baker on
September 13th. The vehicle left the road, traveled about 60 feet on
the shoulder, reentered the roadway, went into a sideways skid, then
rolled four times, coming to rest on its roof. The driver, who was
wearing a seatbelt, survived, but his wife and stepson, who were not
wearing belts, both died. The driver was taken by ambulance to a
hospital in Las Vegas. He reported that he was drowsy at the time the
accident occurred. [Chris Jefferson, ACR, MOJA, 9/21]
Friday, October 27, 2000
00-673 - Mojave NP (CA) - Aircraft Accident with Two Fatalities
On October 24th, the park received a report of a downed aircraft near
Mountain Pass and Mineral Springs. Ranger Sean Isham and assistant
chief ranger Christopher Jefferson began a ground search of the area
along with CHP and San Bernadino SO ground units. A CHP airplane and
county helicopter began an air search, homing in on the plane's
emergency beacon. The downed aircraft was found at the 4,600-foot
elevation of the ridge east of Mineral Hill, about 200 feet below the
crest. Isham was flown to the site. He found that it had been a high
impact crash, with evidence of fire and debris scattered for about 200
feet up the ravine from the point where the left wing made initial
contact with the ground. The bodies of the two occupants were also
found. Isham, an FAA investigator, and two representatives from the
county coroner's office were flown back to the site the following day
to remove the bodies and further investigate the crash. Other
investigators joined them later on. The cause of the crash is not yet
known. [Christopher Jefferson, ACR, MOJA, 10/25]
Wednesday, March 7, 2001
01-079 - Mojave NP (CA) - Drug Lab
On the afternoon of Wednesday, February 28th, rangers Tim Duncan and
Kirk Gebicke were checking an old miners cabin in the Ivanpah
Mountains when they came upon evidence that indicated recent illegal
methamphetamine lab operations. The San Bernadino county sheriff's
drug task force joined them at the scene and determined that there had
in fact been a meth lab operating at the site. Rangers monitored the
area during the night. On Thursday, they were joined by members of the
drug task force and the county sheriff's scientific investigation
team. While searching for evidence, they found bottles and containers
containing methamphetamine byproducts buried underground in front of
the cabin and under the wood porch. Also discovered was a five-gallon
container of unprocessed methamphetamine oil with an estimated street
value of $25,000. The county contracted for a hazardous waste disposal
company to remove all the contaminated soil and items from the site.
The task force is actively pursuing several identified suspects
believed to be involved in this operation. [Christopher Jefferson,
ACR, MOJA, 3/2]
Monday, May 7, 2001
01-191 - Mojave NP (CA) - MVA with Fatality
On May 3rd, D.M. was driving northbound on Ivanpah Road in
his rented Mitsubishi Montero when he lost control of the car and went
off the road. The Montero rolled several times; D.M., who was not
wearing a seatbelt, sustained internal injuries and died at the scene.
His passenger was not seriously injured and refused treatment.
Excessive speed was the primary cause of the accident. [Kirk Gebicke,
MOJA, 4/30]
Saturday, June 9, 2001
01-259 - Mojave NP (CA) - Body Found
A foreman for the Union Pacific Railroad found a body under a railroad
bridge east of Kelso on the morning of June 4th. The victim had been
there for several days. The initial suspicion was that he had fallen
off a passing freight train, but a truck was later found stuck in a
sandy wash about a third of a mile away by a county sheriff's office
helicopter. At the time of the report, investigators had not
positively linked the two, nor had they identified the victim. An
autopsy will be conducted to determine if he died from natural causes
or from foul play. [Tim Duncan, PR, MOJA, 6/5]
Tuesday, January 22, 2002
02-014 - Mojave NP (CA) - Homicide Victim Found
On January 12th, rangers assisting San Bernadino County Sheriff's Department
investigators found the skeletal remains of a missing Dallas, Texas, man who
they suspect was murdered by two acquaintances last March. The remains were
found about 300 yards off the Cima Road in the northeast corner of the park.
Investigators believe that the 22-year-old man was killed at this location by
his 21-year-old compatriots in a drug-related crime. Those two men are both in
custody - one in San Bernadino, the other in Dallas. This is the third body
found in this area of the park in the past two months. The sheriff's department
is pursuing the investigation. [CRO, MOJA, 1/18]
Wednesday, April 17, 2002
02-112 - Mojave NP (CA) - MVA with Two Fatalities and Serious Injury
Ranger Tim Duncan responded to a report of a double fatality accident on
the Cima-Kelso Road a mile east of Kelso Depot at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April
14th. Three Marines were returning to the 29 Palms Marine Base from Las
Vegas when their vehicle, a PT Cruiser, hit a dip in the road at a speed
estimated at over 85 mph and overturned numerous times. One Marine who was
wearing only a lap belt was killed instantly; a second, who was wearing no
seatbelt, was ejected from the car and died on board a medevac helicopter.
The driver, who was wearing a seatbelt, is in serious condition. The
victims were G.G. and J.L., both 19; the driver is K.N.
There's no indication that alcohol was a contributing factor. All
were stationed at the base. [Sean McGuinness, MOJA, 4/16]
Monday, April 22, 2002
02-220 - Mojave NP (CA) - Rescue
On the evening of April 12th, ranges Kirk Gebicke and Tim Duncan rescued a
visiting physician from Belgium who had been injured while hiking with his
family in the Silver Peak area in Granite Mountains. The doctor had lost
his footing and dislocated his shoulder in the subsequent fall. He was in
severe pain and could not walk. Also responding were local sheriff, fire
and EMS personnel. The doctor and his family were about three miles into a
wilderness area. Due to the steep shale slope and surrounding mountains,
rescuers decided to wait until daylight to evacuate him. San Bernadino
County Sheriff's Office air rescue flew to the scene and paramedics
administered pain medication. The injured physician was then flown by
helicopter to Palm Springs Hospital. [Sean McGuinness, CR, MOJA, 4/18]
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
02-042 - Mojave NP (CA) - MVA with Fatality
A.S., 21, of Morongo Valley, California, was driving on the Cima
Road after 1 a.m. on July 9th when she lost control of her vehicle. It went
off the road and rolled over. A.S., who was not wearing a seatbelt, was
ejected from the vehicle and killed; passenger Maria Pio was admitted to a
Las Vegas hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Alcohol was a
contributing factor. The park fire/EMS crew responded along with CHP
officers and a county ambulance crew. The accident is being jointly
investigated by the park and CHP. [Sean McGuinness, MOJA, 7/10]
Wednesday, January 22, 2003
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Search; Body Recovery
On January 8, a California Fish and Game officer conducting
surveillance near the park noted a mini-van parked in an unusual
location. He checked the plate and found that the owner, K.K.,
had been reported missing from Colorado since November 27. The San
Bernadino County Sheriff's Office organized a search of the area by 65
deputies and volunteers. K.K.'s body was found in the park and
recovered the following day with the assistance of rangers. The time and
cause of death have not yet been determined. [Submitted by John
Wilkins, Park Ranger]
Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Forced Aircraft Landing
A single-engine Piper Warrior II on a cross-country trip from Pomona
to Las Vegas made an emergency landing in the park on April 6th. The
pilot, a Spanish national, reported that the tip of one of the blades of
the two-blade propeller had broken off, causing extreme vibration and
loss of control. The plane made a hard landing close to I-15 at Halloran
Summit, causing substantial damage to the air frame. Neither the pilot
nor his passenger was injured. Recovery and removal of the aircraft
should take a few days. This was the second unscheduled landing in the
park in a week. On March 30th, a hot air balloon landed in a wilderness
area, having been blown off course by high winds. Rangers and county
deputies are investigating. [Submitted by John Wilkins, Park
Ranger]
Monday, November 03, 2003
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Aircraft Crashes, Killing Five
On October 30th, a Cessna 421 Golden Eagle with five people on board
crashed in the park's wilderness north of Kelso near the Tough Nut Mine.
There were no survivors. The flight left Laughlin, Nevada, en route to
Van Nuys, California, on October 29th, and crashed sometime that
afternoon. The plane caught fire after crashing, burning a small area
around it. The crash is being investigated by rangers, FAA and NTSB
investigators, the San Bernadino County coroner, and officers from the
San Bernadino County Sheriff's Office. The wreckage was to be removed on
Saturday; a damage assessment is pending for restoration of the area.
[Submitted by Kirk Gebicke, Park Ranger]
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Hunter Injured in Accidental Shooting
N.B. was hunting with a group of six friends and family members in
the Woods Mountain area on the morning of October 18th when he was
accidentally shot by a companion. The hunters were walking through
desert vegetation, spaced about 100 feet apart and in a line. N.B. got
ahead of the line; when one of the hunters shot at a quail, he
accidentally struck N.B. with a shotgun blast. N.B. sustained injuries
from approximately 35 to 50 pellets in his left arm, neck, chest and
eye. He was flown by medevac helicopter to Las Vegas for treatment. None
of his injuries were found to be life-threatening. [Submitted by
John Wilkins, Park Ranger]
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Methamphetamine Lab Conviction
On February 27, 2001, rangers acting on a citizen's tip investigated
suspicious activity at two cabins at the New Trail Mine site. Four
people were contacted, and rangers determined that they'd spent the
night at the cabins. They were released after a consent search of their
vehicle. A subsequent check of the cabins revealed the remnants of a
meth lab and evidence that the drug had recently been cooked up there.
The county's clandestine lab team was brought in and found $60,000 worth
of processed meth oil hidden at the site. The four people that rangers
had contacted there were linked to the lab. One of them - W.D.
- was tried and convicted of manufacturing
methamphetamine. On October 15th, W.D. was sentenced to 13 years in
prison. Rangers provided key testimony at the jury trial. [Submitted
by Kirk Gebicke, Park Ranger]
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Hunter Injured in Accidental Shooting
N.B. was hunting with a group of six friends and family
members in the Woods Mountain area on the morning of October 18th when
he was accidentally shot by a companion. The hunters were walking
through desert vegetation, spaced about 100 feet apart and in a line.
N.B. got ahead of the line; when one of the hunters shot at a quail,
he accidentally struck N.B. with a shotgun blast. N.B. sustained
injuries from approximately 35 to 50 pellets in his left arm, neck,
chest and eye. He was flown by medevac helicopter to Las Vegas for
treatment. None of his injuries were found to be life-threatening.
[Submitted by John Wilkins, Park Ranger]
Thursday, November 06, 2003
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Explosives Found and Destroyed
On October 8th, a contractor working in the park came upon a metal
silo at the Morning Star Mine which appeared to contain explosives.
Rangers and the county bomb squad examined the silo and confirmed that
it contained about 40,000 pounds of energized and active ammonium
nitrate explosives. Around-the-clock security was begun and maintained
at the site for nine days until the explosives could be destroyed.
Rangers from Lake Mead, Santa Monica Mountains and the BLM assisted with
the security. NPS explosives disposal experts from Yosemite and
Sequoia-Kings Canyon destroyed the explosives in small amounts. The
40,000 pounds constituted about nine times as much of the same explosive
as was used in the Oklahoma City bombing. [Submitted by Kirk
Gebicke, Park Ranger]
Friday, December 05, 2003
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Assist at Prison Riot
A riot broke out at the Baker Community Correctional Facility on
December 3rd. The prison, a minimum security facility operated by
Cornell Corrections, Inc. under contract with the California Department
of Corrections, is in the town of Baker, adjacent to the park's west
boundary. At the request of the San Bernadino Sheriff's Office, the park
dispatched three rangers to assist in securing the perimeter of the
grounds while searching for escapees. Nineteen inmates were injured
during the incident, mostly from stab wounds. One structure within the
prison burned, but there were no escapes. [Submitted by Denny
Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
Mojave NP
MVA with Fatality
H.G., 51, of Ls Vegas, was killed in a single-vehicle accident on the evening of
December 16th. H.G. was northbound on Kelbaker Road heading for Kelso when he lost
control of his vehicle and hit a poll. H.G. was ejected from his car and sustained fatal
injuries. Rangers Tim Duncan and Wayne Dingman arrived on scene within five minutes, but
the severity of H.G.'s injuries precluded any possibility of successful administration of life-
saving measures. It appears that both alcohol and high speed were contributing factors.
[Denny Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
Friday, January 02, 2004
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
MVA with Fatality
H.G., 51, of Ls Vegas, was killed in a single-vehicle
accident on the evening of December 16th. H.G. was northbound on
Kelbaker Road heading for Kelso when he lost control of his vehicle and
hit a poll. H.G. was ejected from his car and sustained fatal
injuries. Rangers Tim Duncan and Wayne Dingman arrived on scene within
five minutes, but the severity of H.G.'s injuries precluded any
possibility of successful administration of life-saving measures. It
appears that both alcohol and high speed were contributing factors.
[Submitted by Denny Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Fatal MVA on Ivanpah Road
E.C. was heading north in his 1995 Mercedes on Ivanpah Road
north of Morning Star Mine Road on the evening of June 27th when he
allowed the car to drift onto the road's east shoulder. He then
overcorrected to the left, causing it to travel across both lanes and
onto the west shoulder. He once again overcorrected, this time to the
right, and caused the Mercedes to overturn onto its side. His passenger,
L.C., 75, sustained fatal injuries, even though she was wearing
a seatbelt. The California Highway Patrol is
investigating. [Submitted by Denny Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Fatal MVA on Kelbaker Road
A Mercedes SUV with five people on board was heading south on
Kelbaker Road on the evening of July 11th when the driver entered a left
hand curve at high speed, drifted off the road, then overcorrected
twice, causing the SUV to overturn a number of times. Three people were
ejected and a rear seat passenger sustained fatal injuries. Four of the
five were airlifted to local hospitals was major trauma injuries. The
California Highway Patrol is investigating. [Submitted by Kirk
Gebicke, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Visit by Presidential Candidate
Presidential candidate Senator John Kerry visited the park's visitor
center in Baker on August 11th, accompanied by his wife, family members,
campaign staff and a press pool. Senator Kerry and his party arrived on
buses in a motorcade, then visited the information center, where the
superintendent and rangers gave a brief overview of the park. Kerry
purchased a map, greeted supporters, and had photos taken of him in
front of the "world's tallest thermometer." The visit lasted
approximately 30 minutes. Support was provided by NPS law enforcement
rangers and representatives from the Secret Service, ICE, California
Highway Patrol (including their helicopter and airplane), and the San
Bernardino County Sheriff's Office. National, state, and local media
covered the visit. [Submitted by Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park
Ranger]
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Fatal Single-Vehicle Accident
E.B., former photographer for Elvis Presley, was driving north in
his 1999 Toyota sedan on Morning Star Mine Road on the afternoon of
August 22nd when he allowed the car to drift onto the right shoulder on
a curve in the road. He overcorrected to the left, causing the car to
cross both lanes to the left shoulder, then roll end over end for about
500 feet before coming to rest on its roof. E.B. suffered only minor
injuries, but the passenger A.D., Presley's announcer and
road manager was ejected and sustained fatal injuries. He was not
properly restrained. Excessive speed was a factor in this accident. This
was the fifth fatality on park roads during July and August. All have
been single-vehicle accidents caused by excessive speed. There were
numerous photographs of Elvis scattered around the accident scene. It's
estimated that there were thousands of dollars worth of framed, rare
photographs in the Toyota at the time of the accident. [Submitted by
Denny Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
Friday, February 18, 2005
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Armed Assault on Park Rangers
A man who resides east of Barstow has been arrested on federal
charges of assaulting and impeding federal law enforcement officers when
he confronted them with an assault rifle last weekend. L.H.S.,
62, who lives in the high desert near Newberry Springs and Yermo, was
arrested on February 16th by agents with the National Park Service. On
February 12th, rangers saw L.H.S. and another man operating a
trenching machine near a desert spring located in the Cut Springs area
of Mojave National Preserve. The area near the spring is documented as
containing sensitive archeological and cultural resources. The two
uniformed National Park Service rangers contacted L.H.S. and his
friend to discuss their trenching activity. While one of the rangers was
photographing the scene, L.H.S. removed a .30-caliber M-1 carbine
from a vehicle. According to the affidavit in support of the criminal
complaint, L.H.S. placed a magazine in the weapon and chambered a
round. He then allegedly pointed the weapon at the ranger taking the
pictures and began to advance on the ranger. Despite repeated commands
to drop the weapon, L.H.S. continued to advance with his weapon,
which he had shouldered in the ready firing position. The threatened
officer was forced to draw his weapon and take defensive cover behind a
nearby cabin. During the ensuing stand-off, an eight-year-old child of
L.H.S.'s friend was between L.H.S. and the ranger. In order to
protect the child and everyone else at the scene, the two rangers
decided to de-escalate the situation by slowly withdrawing to their
marked patrol vehicle and leaving the area. L.H.S. is charged with
assaulting, resisting, intimidating, and impeding federal law
enforcement officers, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years
in federal prison. A criminal complaint contains allegations that a
defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent
until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The case
against L.H.S. is the result of an investigation by the United States
Department of the Interior, National Park Service. [Submitted by
Debra Yang, United States Attorney, Central District of California]
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Multiple Significant Incidents
Park staff responded to several major incidents between June 22nd and
the 28th:
- June 22nd - Lightning started seven fires in the park and
quickly overwhelmed available resources. The fires were finally
contained on the 28th, but not before burning over 70,000 acres. NPS
rangers from Death Valley and Santa Monica and BLM rangers from Barstow,
Needles and Ridgecrest joined Mojave rangers in closing roads and
evacuating private residences within the park. Eleven private homes and
numerous outbuildings were burned by the fire. The Mid-Hills campground
was burned over and sustained significant damage. Backfire operations
and aerial retardant drops saved a ranger residence, the
Hole-in-the-Wall campground, and numerous private inholdings. After
structures were lost in Round Valley, rangers and county SAR personnel
conducted a search for a resident who couldn't be located. The search
was terminated when they found that the resident wasn't in the area
during the fire.
- June 24th - Rangers and the San Bernadino County FD responded
to a multi-vehicle accident on I-40. One person was ejected from a
vehicle and another was trapped. The latter required an extensive
extrication effort.
- June 25th - Members of the BAER (burned area recovery) team
reported a vehicle fire on a dirt road in the northern portion of the
park. Ranger Tim Duncan and a BLM ranger responded. A helicopter
assigned to the fire dropped a bucket of water on the vehicle and
prevented a vegetation fire. It was later learned that the vehicle had
been stolen in Las Vegas the previous day.
[Submitted by Denny Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Mojave NP
Fires, Frequent Floods Cause Park To Seek Assistance
Following record rains this past winter, the annual
southwestern monsoon season is generating above average lightning
activity in thunderstorms that occur on a daily basis. The lightning has
been the principal cause of the 21 fires recorded in the park since June
(burning a total of over 76,000 acres). The storms have also caused
numerous downpours and flashfloods. Entire roads within the park have
been washed out, repaired, then washed out again by subsequent flood
waters. Recently burned areas are receiving flash floods on a daily
basis. In order to mitigate the cycle of impacts, numerous fire and law
enforcement personnel from neighboring NPS areas have been brought in.
Although all documented records of fire occurrence have been greatly
exceeded this year, the worst of the fire season is usually the later
part of the summer, when Santa Ana winds start prevailing. [Denny
Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Train Burglary Arrests
On August 5th, a Budget rental box truck was observed parked two miles
from the Union Pacific Railroad tracks near Cima, California, within the
park. Rangers Kirk Gebicke and Joe Spillane contacted the two men -
A.Z. and A.C.-B. - seated in the
truck. They determined that the men had been drinking and that their
reasons for being parked in the area did not add up. The two men gave
the rangers permission to search the vehicle, which proved to be empty.
While a computer check was being run on the pair, ranger Wayne Dingman
found a bindle of cocaine four feet from the point where
A.C.-B. had thrown it into the roadside grass. Both men were
arrested. The rangers consulted with Union Pacific special agents and
found that the duo had possibly been involved in thefts from trains and
were in the park to collect stolen property. The two men were turned
over to Union Pacific police for follow-up interviews, then taken to
jail. A ground and aerial search of the railroad tracks the next day led
to the discovery of 75 stolen television sets that had been thrown from
a train. The estimated value is in excess of $225,000. Rangers and UP
special agents watched the property throughout the night to see if other
gang members would return for the property, but without results.
[Submitted by Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Mojave NP
Man Who Threatened Rangers Sentenced to Jail
A Newberry Springs man who admitted to pointing a loaded
.30-caliber M-1 carbine at federal law enforcement officers who were
investigating possibly unlawful digging in the park was sentenced on
September 12th to eight months in federal prison. L.H.S., 62,
had previously pleaded guilty to one felony count of assaulting,
resisting, intimidating and impeding federal law enforcement officers
during the confrontation, which occurred on February 12th. In sentencing
L.H.S. and rejecting the defendant's plea for probation, the judge
said that the high desert was "not the wild west" and all citizens have
a responsibility to respect the law. The judge, who also imposed a
$2,000 fine, ordered L.H.S. to begin serving his prison term within
30 days. L.H.S. is the friend of another man who owns a small parcel
of private property within Mojave National Preserve. The friend had
recently constructed a small cabin on National Park Service land near a
desert spring, which was outside of his private property line. In early
February, the friend was observed operating a trenching machine at the
spring. In addition to being on federal land, the area around the cabin
is documented as containing archeological and cultural resources. On
February 12th, two uniformed NPS rangers contacted L.H.S. and his
friend regarding the trenching activity. While one of the rangers was
photographing the trenching activity, L.H.S. removed the M-1 carbine
from a vehicle. He placed a magazine in the weapon and chambered a
round. He then pointed the weapon at the ranger who was taking pictures
and began advancing on him. Despite repeated commands to drop the
weapon, L.H.S. continued to advance with his weapon in the ready
firing position. The threatened officer was forced to take defensive
cover behind one corner of the cabin and draw his service weapon. During
the ensuing stand-off, the rangers observed that the eight-year-old
child of the private property owner was within the line-of-fire. Fearful
for the safety of the child and the other individuals, including
L.H.S., the two rangers decided to de-escalate the dangerous
situation by slowly withdrawing to their marked patrol vehicle and
leaving the area. L.H.S. was arrested in Yermo on February 17th by
NPS agents. [United States Attorney's Office, Central
District of California]
Monday, November 20, 2006
Mojave NP
Man Killed In ATV Accident
The park received a report of an ATV accident and an unresponsive victim
before noon on Saturday, November 11th. Responding rangers were directed by park
visitors to an area about four miles east of Kelbaker Road on a natural gas
pipeline road. The road proved impassable, so the rangers walked to the scene
and were met by a park visitor who was transporting the victim - R.P.,
56, of San Marcos, California - in his pickup. R.P.' son and riding
companions had performed CPR on him, but without success. Once the party reached
a paved roadway, R.P. was transferred to an ambulance from Baker, California.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigation revealed that the four men
were riding non-street legal ATV's across the park on the gas line road. R.P.
was fourth in line. When he failed to catch up with the first three riders, they
backtracked until they found him underneath his overturned ATV on a rough
section of the road. The California Highway Patrol is investigating. [Denny
Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
Monday, March 19, 2007
Mojave NP
Sentencing For Attempted Carjacking/Kidnapping
On the morning of December 31, 2006, J.M., 19, who'd been
in an argument with a friend and had been left behind along Kelbaker
Road, saw a motor home parked about a half mile away. He walked over and
knocked on the door. When the motor home's driver opened the door, J.M.
asked if he and his three companions had broken down. When the driver
told him that they were okay and just taking a break, J.M. pulled a gun
on the driver in an attempt to carjack the RV. The driver began
struggling with J.M. for control of the gun; with the assistance of his
three passengers, he was eventually able to get it away from J.M. The
driver then pulled the trigger on the gun in an attempt to shoot J.M.,
but the gun proved to be empty. The struggle continued until the RV's
four occupants subdued J.M. They continued to beat him until they could
tie him up with their belts. They then held J.M. until CHP and sheriff's
department officers arrived on scene and arrested him. On March 9th,
J.M. was convicted in state court and sentenced to nine years in prison,
plus four years of parole. [Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Friday, April 20, 2007
Mojave NP
Man Injured In Accidental Shooting
On April 7th, rangers received a 911 hang-up call from the
Hole in the Wall campground, requesting an ambulance. As rangers and EMS
personnel were responding, a campground host called and reported that a
man had suffered a broken leg and that he was being taken by a private
vehicle to meet the ambulance. When contact was made, medics determined
that the man - J.M., 22 - had been shot in the leg. Ranger Wayne Dingman
followed the ambulance to the hospital. Through interviews with J.M. and
his friends, Dingman determined that J.M. had been out hiking, that he'd
had a.22 caliber semi-automatic pistol with him, and that he'd been
shooting at targets with the gun and other weapons. After returning to
his vehicle, J.M. attempted to unload the .22. When a round failed to
eject and the slide fell forward, the weapon discharged, hitting J.M. in
the leg above his knee. He underwent surgery at the hospital to remove
the bullet. J.M., who was scheduled to attend a local police academy in
May, was cited for possession of a loaded weapon and illegal target
shooting. [Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Mojave NP
Property And Vehicle Theft Investigation
On the afternoon of October 4th, ranger Mike Ice contacted
two people in a parked ATT company vehicle on a road in a remote part of
the park. Ice suspected that they might be stealing copper or other
metals due to some items that he saw on the ground next to the truck.
The passenger, G.D., produced a Nevada identification card, but
the driver said that he had no identification on him. Ice checked both
G.D. and the truck on NCIC - both returned clear. The driver then
looked around a couple of times and ran to the truck. As he was putting
it into gear, Ice was able to open the door and deploy his taser. The
door slammed shut as the truck went forward, though, and the taser
evidently had no effect. Ice decided not to pursue and instead
questioned, cited and released G.D. In the ensuing investigation,
rangers learned that the ATT truck had been stolen from Las Vegas, but
had not yet been reported. Ranger Brian Cooperider found it on BLM land
west of Searchlight on October 8th. Numerous items of stolen property
were recovered from it. Ice is working on this case with Las Vegas Metro
PD and NPS agents from Lake Mead. [Kirk Gebicke, Acting Chief
Ranger]
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Mojave NP
I-15 Spill Causes Major Traffic Diversion Through Park
On the morning of October 31st, a tractor trailer rolled
over on Interstate 15 at Mountain Pass, spilling 1,000 gallons of motor
oil onto the freeway and ground. This section of I-15 follows the
northern boundary of the park. California Highway Patrol officers closed
down all northbound lanes at the Cima exit and routed traffic through
the park for over 30 miles while a hazmat team cleaned up the oil. An
estimated 8,000 vehicles passed through the park between 8 a.m. and
midnight. Numerous incidents occurred during that period, including
three motor vehicle accidents. Six citations and 14 warnings were issued
for various traffic infractions, including operating a vehicle with a
revoked license, unsafe passing, speeding, and possession of an open
container of alcohol. Rangers also assisted motorists by providing
information and directions, dealing with flat tires, and helping obtain
towing services and gasoline. During the afternoon, San Bernardino
County maintenance personnel had to repair potholes created by the large
volume of traffic. Rangers acted professionally by maintaining order and
keeping the number of incidents to a minimum through highly visible
patrols and education. [Mike Ice, Acting Patrol Supervisor]
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Suicide Victim Found In Car
Ranger Mike Ice checked on a purple two-door Mercury sedan
illegally parked off the Cedar Canyon Road on the afternoon
of January 14th. Ice found an unresponsive man in the driver
seat. He forcibly entered the vehicle and confirmed that the
man was dead. The San Bernadino County Sheriff's Office was
contacted. The coroner's office identified the victim as a
26-year-old Glendale, Arizona, man, and determined that he'd
died from asphyxiation. [Submitted by Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Mojave NP
Suicide Victim Found In Car
Ranger Mike Ice checked on a purple two-door Mercury sedan
illegally parked off the Cedar Canyon Road on the afternoon of January
14th. Ice found an unresponsive man in the driver seat. He forcibly
entered the vehicle and confirmed that the man was dead. The San
Bernadino County Sheriff's Office was contacted. The coroner's office
identified the victim as a 26-year-old Glendale, Arizona, man, and
determined that he'd died from asphyxiation. [Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory
Park Ranger]
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Mojave NP
Suicide Victim Found Off Cima Road
A park visitor found the body of a 47-year-old Las Vegas
man hanging from a rope on a Joshua tree just off Cima Road on February
1st and called 911. Rangers responded along with California Highway
Patrol and San Bernadino county officers. Investigation revealed that
the man had driven off the road and into a wash and parked his car. He
then walked straight from the car to the tree, climbed up on it, placed
a rope in a notch on the tree, then placed the other end around his neck
and jumped. Ground areas around the car and the man were fresh and
showed no other tracks leading to the tree. The death has been ruled a
suicide. No note was found. [Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Mojave NP
Five Suffer Significant Injuries In Accident
On Thursday, March 13th, rangers received a report of a
motor vehicle accident and blocked highway two miles south of the Kelso
Depot Visitor Center. Ranger Tim Duncan was first on scene and
coordinated the response. Three large vans carrying students from a
college geology class had been heading south on Kelbaker Road when the
lead van stopped in the road. The second van was able to stop in time to
avoid hitting it, but the third van rear-ended the first two at a speed
of more than 45 mph. There were a total of 16 people in the three vans
and most of them were not wearing seatbelts. Two were seriously injured
and three others sustained moderate injuries; one of them was flown out
and the other four were transported by ambulances. The remaining members
of the group were evaluated, found to have sustained only minor
injuries, and released at the scene. This incident quickly overwhelmed
the limited staff on hand, who had to provide patient care, control
traffic and direct a helicopter landing. [Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park
Ranger]
Monday, June 23, 2008
Mojave NP
Search For Missing Hiker Suspended
On the evening of Sunday, June 8th, the San Bernardino
County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call reporting an overdue
67-year-old hiker from the Philippines who'd last been seen by her
hiking companion at Fort Piute on the evening of June 7th. Rangers and
deputies interviewed the reporting party, then conducted a hasty search
of Piute Canyon with ground teams and an infrared-vision-equipped
helicopter. She was not found. An interagency search was conducted
through Friday, June 13th, with up to 50 searchers employed each day.
Also employed in the effort were helicopters and as many as six search
dogs. The canyon is steep and narrow, with ledges and rugged terrain,
and daytime temperatures were over 100 degrees (there is water in the
canyon, though). The search has been suspended, but the investigation
continues. [Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park Ranger]
HYPERLINK "http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/missing_3556___article.html/piute_search.html"
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Mojave NP
Several Train Thieves Arrested, Another Dies Of Heat Exposure
On August 23rd, a joint effort by Union Pacific police,
the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and the National Park
Service resulted in the arrest of four people for train burglary and a
search for a fifth who was later found deceased from apparent heat
exposure about five miles from the site of the attempted burglary. Over
$30,000 worth of property was recovered. Around 2 p.m. that afternoon,
rangers McDermott, Spillane and Cooperider were notified of a train
burglary in progress near Cima, which is within the park. Union Pacific
employees discovered between 10 and 15 people in the act of stealing 31
42-inch-wide televisions from a train. The employees told rangers that
they'd fled in many directions into the desert. Rangers requested a
helicopter and assistance from the sheriff's department and from the UP
police. Upon arrival, the police told rangers that they had information
that the would-be thieves were armed. A search was begun, and UP police
later in the day intercepted a vehicle driven by a known accomplice,
arrested him, then put an undercover team in the vehicle to drive the
surrounding roads. The team located and arrested four other suspects in
a remote area of the park about four miles from the scene of the
burglary. They told officers that another member of their group was sick
and that they'd left him under a tree about a mile away in the desert.
McDermott and Cooperider retrieved ALS gear and along with UP officers
started looking for him, finding him just after 11 p.m. He was DOA,
having likely succumbed to complications from heat exposure
(temperatures were over 100 degrees). [Kirk Gebicke, Operations
Supervisor]
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Mojave NP
Marine Dies In Single-Vehicle Accident
A 21-year-old Marine from Twenty-nine Palms died in a
single-vehicle crash while traveling east on
Morningstar Mine Road on the evening of September 7th. The driver, J.V.,
was found dead in his car by a passerby who saw J.V.'s
2006 Pontiac Solstice lying in a ditch off the road. Captain Nic
Tuntland drove a park engine to the scene and determined that J.V. had
died of his injuries prior to his arrival. The California Highway Patrol
investigated. According to their report, J.V. was heading east on
Morning Star Mine Road when his car left the road as he went around a
curve. As he attempted to get back on the road, the car skidded and
began to roll across the roadway and into the open desert on the north
side of the road. [Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Monday, June 22, 2009
Mojave NP
Woman Killed In High-Speed Rollover Accident
N.N.L.M., a 28-year-old resident of
Hawaii, was northbound at high speed on Morning Star Mine Road around 11
a.m. on June 17th when her car went off the road and overturned. Rangers
and firefighters in the park's engine responded along with California
Highway Patrol officers. They found that N.N.L.M. had died in the
accident. CHP is investigating. [Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park
Ranger]
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Mojave NP
Suicide Victim Found At Inholder Residence
On July 21st, a woman contacted the information desk at
the Kelso Depot Visitor Center and said that she hadn't heard for a
while from her father, M.O., who was staying at an inholder
residence within the park. She asked that a ranger check on him, as he'd
left a message for her the previous day saying that she should send help
if he was not heard from by 8 a.m. on the 21st. Ranger Brian Cooperider
and a San Bernardino County deputy sheriff drove to the residence near
Cima and discovered M.O. dead of a gunshot wound. He was lying face
forward with a .22 caliber handgun underneath him and as single gunshot
wound in his head. The county coroner was notified, as was his daughter.
[Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Mojave NP
Former Seasonal Sentenced To Prison For Child Pornography
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation launched
an investigation the January before last when a member of T.M.'s
family found child pornography on their computer. The SBI
investigation revealed that T.M. had previously owned the computer,
but that his whereabouts were now unknown. With assistance from NPS
special agents, Mojave NP ranger and US Postal Service inspectors, they
found T.M. working as a seasonal maintenance employee at Mojave NP.
During an interview with an NPS agent and a San Bernadino County
detective in July of that year, T.M. admitted to downloading and
possessing child pornography in his RV. He was arrested and extradited
to North Carolina. After obtaining a search warrant, agents from the NPS
Investigation Services Branch conducted a forensic examination of
T.M.'s digital media. The examination revealed over 120,000 images and
600 movies of suspected child pornography. Approximately 80 GB of data
were submitted to the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children.
Two weeks ago, T.M. pled guilty in North Carolina superior court to
second degree possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to serve
42 to 51 months in the North Carolina Department of Corrections. [Les
Seago, Special Agent]
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Mojave NP
Cross Stolen From World War I Memorial
The cross in the national World War I memorial at Sunrise
Rock along Cima Road was reported missing on Monday morning by
maintenance staff who went to the site to replace the wooden cover that
had been removed from the cross on Saturday. Litigation surrounding the
memorial has been ongoing since March, 2001, when a lawsuit was filed in
the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, arguing
that the display of a cross in the memorial violated the Establishment
Clause of the Constitution. Congress designated the site a national
memorial commemorating United States participation in World War I and
honoring the American veterans of that war. The National Park Service
was enjoined from displaying the cross. The wooden cover was reported
missing from the cross by rangers on Saturday, and the uncovered cross
was seen again by rangers on Sunday afternoon. When park maintenance
staff arrived on Monday morning to replace the cover, they found that
the entire cross had been removed. Rangers are investigating this crime
and have set up a tip line (760-252-6120). The Veterans of Foreign Wars
is offering a $25,000 award for information leading to the arrest and
conviction of those responsible. [Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park
Ranger]
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Mojave NP
Injured Hiker Rescued In Difficult, Extended Operation
Rangers and firefighters responded to a report of an
injured hiker in the area of Clark Mountain on May 25th. Units from the
San Bernadino County Fire Department and a California Highway Patrol
helicopter also responded. A search was begun based on the man's cell
phone GPS location and he was soon spotted from the helicopter. It was
unable to land, though, due to the steep and inaccessible area where he
was located. The man was able to wave at the helicopter and cell phone
contact was made. He was found to be suffering from several injuries and
immobile. A county helicopter with a hoist was summoned, but was unable
to hover over the man due to high and gusty winds. Members of the park
engine crew started to hike to the man's location as it was getting
dark. They had to cross steep terrain with loose rock on an off trail
route and it took six hours to cover less than two miles. The injured
hiker was treated and protected from the extreme weather, as he was
wearing only shorts and a t-shirt and had no other gear. Rescuers
determined that he'd slipped and fallen about 60 feet down a rock face.
Two night-capable Blackhawk helicopters from the US Air Force 50th
Rescue Squadron from Nellis AFB responded but had to abort due to
encountering 80 to 90 mph winds. Preparations were therefore made for a
difficult litter carryout, but the winds died down at daybreak and the
sheriff's department helicopter was able to hoist the man out. He was
flown to a hospital in Las Vegas. The entire operation took 20 hours.
[Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Mojave NP
Man Killed In Fall From Moving Train
Rangers, San Bernadino County deputies, and Union Pacific
police all responded on Monday to a report of a body lying near the
railroad tracks west of the Kelso Depot Visitor Center. The victim,
apparently an illegal passenger, appeared to have fallen from the train
while it was in motion and hit the ground with great force, causing
dismemberment. The coroner was summoned and is conducting an
investigation into the man's identity. There were no witnesses, but the
incident appeared to have occurred sometime early that morning. [Kelsey
Cassidy, Park Ranger]
Friday, April 20, 2012
Mojave NP
Bags Of Marijuana Found Along Park Road
On April 11th, a park maintenance employee found what
appeared to be four kitchen bags containing marijuana alongside
Kelso-Cima road within the park. A protection ranger responded and found
that the bags did contain marijuana - a total of 21.05 pounds. During
processing of the contraband, numerous items related to cultivation were
found. The county sheriff's office was contacted. It appears possible
that, due to interdiction patrols along the highway, the marijuana was
thrown out of a vehicle inside park boundaries to avoid discovery by the
sheriff's interdiction team. It is unknown at this time if the offender
is a locale cultivator or was passing through the park. A joint
investigation is underway. [Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Monday, May 7, 2012
Mojave NP
Armed Robbery Reported At Park VC
An armed robbery occurred at the Kelso Depot Visitor
Center around 3 a.m. on May 4th. The reporting party contacted the San
Bernardino County Sheriff's Department several hours later to report
that two individuals had robbed him of money as he was leaving the
outdoor restroom at the visitor center. He said that they were armed
with a silver pistol, that they struck him four or five times over the
head with the pistol, and that they then fled. Several minutes later, he
reported seeing a car driving away from the far side of the visitor
center. The Barstow office of the county sheriff's department is leading
the investigation. [Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park
Ranger]
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Mojave NP
Motorcyclist Killed In Crash Near Park VC
A motorcyclist crashed on Kelbaker Road in front of the
park's main visitor center at Kelso Depot around 1 p.m. on May 4th.
Ranger/park medic Tom McDermott was first on scene and provide advanced
life support, continuing it until an ambulance from Baker arrived on
scene. Medical care was eventually transferred to the crew of a Mercy
Air medevac helicopter, but the man - identified as D.D. of
Torrance, California - expired before the helicopter could take off.
Investigation revealed that D.D. was riding with friends when he lost
control of his bike and crashed while crossing some railroad tracks. His
speed at the time of the crash was estimated at between 40 and 60 mph.
[Kirk Gebicke, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Monday, February 25, 2013
Mojave NP
Searchers Find Body Of Missing Hiker
Rangers, San Bernardino County deputies, and California
Highway Patrol officers began a search for a missing hiker in and around
Caruthers Canyon on the afternoon of Friday, February 15th. The air and
ground search began near the summit of New York Mountain, located on the
northwest side of the condition. It continued until midnight and then
resumed at first light on Saturday. Members of Colorado River Station
Search and Rescue, assisted by rangers and Barstow Search and Rescue,
continued to search the rugged terrain around the peak. Late that
morning, the missing hiker's body was spotted from the air near the
summit of New York Mountain. The cause of death is under investigation,
but foul play does not appear to have been a factor. [Kirk Gebicke,
Acting Chief Ranger]
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Mojave NP
Two Rescued Following Plane Crash In Remote Area
Two people were injured when the pilot of a single-engine aircraft
was forced to crash land his plane in the park last Sunday after it
developed engine trouble.
The male pilot and his female passenger were en route to Chino from
Needles when the plane's engine lost oil pressure and it stalled,
forcing the emergency landing in a very remote section of the park.
Neither was injured.
Despite the remote location, the pilot was able to make a cellphone
call to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department patrol helicopter.
An H-325 MedFlight helicopter contracted to the country flew from
Victorville to the crash site and extricated the couple.
Photos with the article show the crashed plane, the rescuers, and the
happy couple. Source: Matthew Cabe, Daily Press.
August 10, 2022
Mojave National Preserve
Monsoons damage roads
On July 31, the park received heavy monsoonal rain, which damaged
many paved roads. Kelbaker Road, Cima Road, Essex Road, Zzyzx Road, and
Morning Star Road are all currently closed. One section of Kelbaker Road
washed away entirely. Source: Mojave National Preserve
August 24, 2022
Mojave National Preserve
Follow-up on Previously Reported Incident
The park reopened Cima, Kelso-Cima, South Kelbaker, Morning Star,
Ivanpah, Essex, Black Canyon, and Lanfair roads on August 12. Some of
these roads are currently passable only with 4WD, high clearance
vehicles. The roads were closed due to flash floods on July 31. North
Kelbaker and Zzyzx Road will remain closed due to significant damage and
may take months to repair. On August 17, the park released a press
release warning of more predicted monsoons and the potential for more
damage (as well as resource benefits). Source: Mojave National
Preserve
September 7, 2022
Mojave National Preserve
Further flooding
On August 26, the park experienced heavy rains and flash flooding in
the park, which damaged several paved roads, including portions of Black
Canyon Road and South Kelbaker Road. These floods further compound
damage sustained during heavy floods on July 31. Visitors at the
Hole-in-the-Wall Campground were stranded temporarily until staff could
make temporary repairs to allow them to depart the park safely. At least
one vehicle became trapped in a wash after traveling into a closed area
on Kelbaker Road. As of August 26, Cima Road, Kelso Cima Road, Kelbaker
Road, Ivanpah Road, Morning Star Road, Essex Road, Essex Road, Black
Canyon Road, and the Mojave Road are closed for assessment, repair, and
clean-up. Source: Mojave National Preserve
March 8, 2023
Mojave National Preserve
Follow-up on Previously Reported Incident
On February 27, a contractor, Las Vegas Paving Corp., began repairs on
two sections of Kelbaker Road that were damaged in 2022 storms. The road
is closed through at least March 10, which it is planned to reopen,
depending on construction progress and weather conditions. On March 20,
the park intends to begin a major construction project on Cima Road, and
the road will then be closed for about a year. Source: Mojave National
Preserve
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Mojave National Preserve
Train derailment
On March 27, a freight train with 55 rail cars and two locomotives
derailed near Kelso Depot. The train was carrying iron ore, which
spilled from the cars. The ore is not a hazardous material. No crew was
injured in the accident. One locomotive had a minor fuel leak, and the
San Bernardino County Fire Protection District said there is "no current
threat to public or environment." Crews repaired the tracks and train
traffic resumed on March 28. A Union Pacific spokesperson said the
incident's cause is still under investigation. It is the third train
derailment nationwide this month (including one just outside New River
Gorge National Park and Preserve, reported in the 3/22/23 Coalition
Report). Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal (3/27, 3/28)
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Mojave National Preserve
Wildfire
On July 28, the York Fire started in Caruthers Canyon in the New York
Mountain Range. As of August 7, the fire was 93,078 acres and 93%
contained, with 290 personnel assigned. The cause of the fire is under
investigation; it started on a private land inholding inside of the
park. Many roads and campgrounds in the park are closed until further
notice. Source: Inciweb, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Mojave National
Preserve
August 23, 2023
Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Manzanar National Historic Site, Mojave National Preserve
Hurricane/Tropical Storm closure
Most of the above parks announced preemptive closures between August
18-20 due predicted flooding from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hilary. It is
the first official National Weather Service Tropical Storm Warning in
history for the region. Source: KTLA, Desert Sun, Lake Mead National
Recreation Area, Manzanar National Historic Site
August 23, 2023
Mojave National Preserve
Wildfire
On July 28, the York Fire started in Caruthers Canyon in the New York
Mountain Range. As of August 20, the fire was 100% contained at 93,078
acres, with 22 personnel assigned. The cause of the fire is under
investigation; it started on a private land inholding inside of the
park. Many roads and campgrounds in the park are closed until further
notice. Source: Inciweb, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Mojave National
Preserve
September 6, 2023
Mojave National Preserve
Follow-up on Previously Reported Incident
On September 1, the park partially reopened for the first time since
damage was incurred by Hurricane Hilary on August 20. The areas now open
include South Kelbaker Road, Kelso Cima Road, Morning Star Road, and a
portion of Ivanpah Road between Morning Star Mine and Nipton Roads. The
park has stated that it will likely take several more weeks before other
park facilities and roads can be reopened. Source: Mojave National
Preserve
March 5, 2025
Mojave National Preserve
Mine conflict
The Los Angeles Times published an article about a conflict between an
Australian mining company, Dateline Resources, Ltd., and the NPS over
the legitimacy of a claim at the Colosseum Mine, which has rare earth
minerals used in smartphones, advanced weapons, and electric vehicles.
Dateline believes they have the right to work the mine under a plan the
operators submitted 40 years ago when the land was managed by the Bureau
of Land Management. The NPS claims that the company does not have
authorization, and the area is rich with rare plants. The company has
twice begun exploratory drilling and road improvements when told to
cease their efforts. The NPS has issued a $213,387 fine for the costs
and damages associated with these actions. The parties have met to
discuss a settlement, but no agreement has been reached, regarding fines
nor future use of the mine. Source: Los Angeles Times
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