PIPE SPRING Cultures at a Crossroads: An Administrative History

Fire Protection

The first reported fire to occur since the monument fire of July 1951 took place in June 1980 when a fired consumed between three and four acres of grassland at the monument's west boundary. Due to quick action by monument staff, Forest Service personnel, tribal members, and others, the fire affected only about one-eighth acre inside the monument. A few dozen fence posts required replacement. A Health, Life, and Safety Report that year emphasized the monument's lack of a fire protection system within 700 feet of the housing and utility areas. It is not known when this deficiency was addressed. Fire training for staff was offered from time to time at Zion National Park. A new hose box was obtained in 1982. An operations evaluation in 1988 emphasized the monument's vulnerability to wildfires and encouraged more frequent fire trainings of staff, improvement of firebreaks, more frequent equipment checks, and an updating of the monument's Fire Management Plan.

As in times past, monument staff responded to area fires on the reservation and in Moccasin. On July 5, 1982, Bill Herr, Doug Dewitz, and Seasonal Laborer Sam Tom assisted fighting two fires that occurred near Kaibab Village. One of the fires got large enough to require aerial tanker drops. [2387] The Kaibab Paiute Tribe acquired a new fire truck and fire house in December 1982. Dewitz spent several hours in Kaibab going over the use of equipment with members of the Tribe that month. Dewitz and Tom responded to another call to put out a grass fire in Moccasin on July 11, 1988.

Radio Communication

In the spring of 1980, a 35-watt, General Electric (G.E.) base station was loaned to the monument by Zion so the monument could have radio contact with Zion and Cedar Breaks. The system was installed on April 2. In 1983 the monument's old Motorola hand-sets were replaced with new G. E. units and a new G.E. base station was installed. In 1984 another G.E. controller unit was installed in the maintenance mechanic's office.

Accidents, Thefts, and Law Enforcement

Very few law enforcement incidents occurred in the 1980s. In the early 1980s, the monument had a problem with people occasionally climbing over the fence to gain entry after closing hours. Only one theft was reported. On the night of July 27, 1984, a 250-pound anvil belonging to VIP blacksmith John Cram was stolen from the monument. Tribal Policeman Dan Bulletts investigated on July 27 and submitted a report to authorities. Zion Ranger Ken Armstrong also investigated the theft. The value was estimated at $500-700 and Cram filed a tort claim.

In 1985 Herr reported an attempted abduction that took place on July 18 of a young Indian girl on the Moccasin road, just north of the monument. Officers responded and investigated the report. [2388]