NPS Morning Report - Wednesday, June 5, 2002
- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Wednesday, June 5, 2002
- Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2002 08:45:14 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2002
INCIDENTS
02-205 - Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHS (KY) - Special Event: First
Amendment Demonstration
A special use permit was issued to an individual to hold a First Amendment
demonstration in the park on May 26th. The permittee claimed that he would
be speaking about Abraham Lincoln's historical stance on slavery and
raising public awareness and support regarding proposed reparations to the
descendents of slaves. As the event drew near, intelligence information
indicated that the permittee was affiliated with the World Church of the
Creator (WCOTC), a recognized white supremacist group that has a history of
violence against minorities. Since the park has no law enforcement staff at
present, assistance was sought from Mammoth Cave NP and ICS was put into
effect. Of additional concern to park management was the possible presence
of the Anti-Racist Americans (ARA), a group which has shown up at WCOTC
demonstrations to protest against the racist philosophy of the WCOTC.
These meetings have resulted in violent confrontations between
demonstrators and law enforcement. The event was scheduled to coincide
with the annual NordicFest celebration in Powderly, Kentucky. NordicFest
espouses "white power" and is attended by such groups as the Imperial Klans
of America. A third potential source of confrontation was a Ku Klux Klan
rally held in nearby Sheperdsville, Kentucky, the previous day. Law
enforcement rangers from Mammoth Cave NP and officers from the Kentucky
State Police and the Larue County Sheriff's Office provided on-site
security and response. The main speaker for the event was Matt Hale, the
leader of the WCOTC and also the main speaker for the Nordic Fest
celebration. Six individuals, identified as being supporters of Hale and
his philosophy, attended the demonstration in the park. After the speech,
Hale immediately left the area. There were no problems. Rangers remained in
the area for the rest of the afternoon to prevent any possible
confrontations. [Chief of Operation, ABLI, 5/29]
02-206 - Mount Rushmore NM (SD) - Special Event: Dignitary Visit
On May 28th, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak made a planned visit
to the park. Barak was prime minister of Israel from 1999 to 2000; prior to
that, he lead elite Israeli anti-terrorism teams on several high profile
operations in the 1970's. Barak and his entourage spent about an hour at
the park and were provided with a tour by NPS staff. When offered the
opportunity at a visitor center display to depress the plunger simulating a
dynamite explosion used in sculpting the mountain, Barak said: "No thanks,
I've seen too much of the real thing." Barak was in the area to make a
speech in nearby Rapid City that evening, a speech in which he urged the
United States to be persistent in the battle against terrorism. Rangers at
Mount Rushmore worked with Israeli security and Rapid City Police
Department personnel to handle logistics and security for the visit. There
were no incidents. [Mike Pflaum, CR, MORU, 5/29]
02-207 - Golden Gate NRA (CA) - Special Event: Demonstration Against War on
Terrorism
On May 25th, a group calling themselves the "All Peoples Coalition"
obtained a permit and gathered on Crissy Field in the park for a
demonstration they described as "Take it to the Bridge." The event included
a march onto the Golden Gate Bridge under a permit issued by the Golden
Gate Bridge Authority (GGBA). The prevailing theme seemed to be a display
of opposition to the United States' war against terror and policy in the
Middle East. Despite the group's prediction that 2,000 people would gather
for the event, only 120 demonstrators or so had gathered at Crissy Field by
12:30 p.m. The group conducted its march to the south end of the Golden
Gate Bridge, where their numbers increased to approximately 150. Park
Police officers and NPS rangers facilitated the movement of vehicles and
the safe passage of marchers by conducting intermittent road closures along
the route. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) met the group at the Golden
Gate Bridge and enforced the GGBA permit restriction prohibiting signs and
banners. The marchers then continued onto the bridge, closely monitored by
CHP. In an effort to enforce the condition of permit that the marchers
clear the bridge by 2:00 p.m., CHP stopped the marchers north of the north
tower to turn them around at 1:30 p.m. Several marchers refused to comply
with CHP directives and engaged in displays of civil disobedience,
violating the conditions of permit and other regulations. CHP was finally
able to gain compliance from the majority of the marchers, but had arrested
30 people on various charges by the time group finally exited the bridge.
Approximately 30 demonstrators then gathered in the Battery East parking
area in the park and confronted Park Police personnel, demanding the
release of an individual in the custody of CHP. Negotiations were
conducted, the situation was defused, and the marchers continued to Crissy
Field and continued the rally until 5:00 p.m., pursuant to the terms of
their permit. [Lt. Christine A. Hodakievic, USPP/SFFO, 5/30]
02-208 - Fort McHenry NM&HS (MD) - Special Event: Living American Flag
The annual "Living American Flag" event, sponsored by the National Flag Day
Foundation, took place on park grounds adjacent to the historic fort on May
21st. Over 4,000 schoolchildren, who arrived in almost 100 buses, created a
flag with colored placards held over the heads. The flag is photographed
from the air and has been an annual event at Fort McHenry since 1983. Park
staff managed parking, crowd control and safety. There were no incidents.
[Charlie Strickfaden, CR, FOMC, 5/30]
[Additional reports pending?]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Fire Situation
Preparedness Level 3
Initial attack was moderate yesterday in the Rockies, Southwest and
southern California. Two new large fires were reported; another eleven were
contained.
Priorities for large fires in the Rockies are being established by the
Rocky Mountain multi-agency coordinating group. An area command team
(Chesley) is assigned to manage the large fires in southeastern Colorado.
Among the more significant fires on the NICC Incident Management Situation
Report were the following. For a map showing their locations, click on
http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/firemap.html .
New Mexico
Cerro Pelado Fire, New Mexico State (12,000 acres, 85% contained, 197
FF/OH0 - Sears' Type 2 team is managing the fire, which is burning in grass
and ponderosa pine three miles northeast of Ojo Feliz. Significant
precipitation has moderated fire behavior.
Middle Ponil Complex, New Mexico State (60,000 acres, 15% contained, 197
FF/OH) - Van Bruggen's Type 2 team will assume command of the fire today.
The complex of three fires is burning in ponderosa pine ten miles west of
Cimmaron. Favorable weather conditions helped suppression efforts.
Borrego Fire, Santa Fe NF (12,950 acres, 90% contained, 227 FF/OH) -
Garcia's Type 2 team is assigned. Favorable weather conditions assisted
suppression efforts. Crews are building lines in very steep and rugged
terrain in the Pecos Wilderness Area.
Colorado
Iron Mountain Fire, BLM's Royal Gorge Office (4,439 acres, 85% contained,
297 FF/OH) - A Type 1 team (Martin) is managing the fire, which is 12 miles
north of Westcliffe, Colorado. Rain reduced fire activity, permitting crews
in all divisions to make substantial progress. The evacuation order has
been lifted and residents are returning home.
Trinidad Complex (formerly the Spring and Fisher Fires), Colorado State
(20,000 acres, 0% contained, 217 FF/OH) - A Type 1 team (Wood) is managing
the complex. The fires are in New Mexico, eight miles west of Trinidad,
Colorado, and are burning in grass, pinyon pine, juniper and ponderosa
pine. Those areas of the fire that did not receive precipitation yesterday
remained active.
Pinyon Canyon Complex (formerly Fort Carson Complex), Department of Defense
(3,090 acres, 60% contained, 35 FF/OH) - This complex of ten fires is on
Fort Carson Army Base in Colorado. Isolated torching was observed on
Tuesday. Crews are building lines in steep, rocky terrain.
Arizona
Bullock Fire, Coronado NF (30,563 acres, 90% containment, 918 FF/OH) -
Humphrey's Type 1 team is managing the fire, which is burning in grass, oak
and chaparral about 15 miles northeast of Tucson. Crews made substantial
progress in improving fire lines and mopping up yesterday.
California
Wolf Fire, Los Padres NF (7,476 acres, 15% contained, 1,514 FF/OH ) - A
Type 1 team (Gelobter) is managing the fire, burning in pinyon pine and
juniper about nine miles north of Ojai, California. The fire made
significant runs in several drainages yesterday and reached Pine Mountain
ridge. Crews are constructing direct attack lines in extremely rugged
terrain on the north and south flanks; dozers are building indirect line
along Dry Creek ridge as a contingency plan. Protection is in place for
numerous structures and improvements that are threatened in the Howard
Creek and Rose Valley areas. Highway 33 is closed.
Arrowhead Fire, San Bernadino NF (2,688 acres, 90% contained, 702 FF/OH ) -
A Type 2 team (Conrad) has been assigned to the fire, which is just a mile
north of San Bernadino. Crews have successfully burned out and mopped up
some hot spots.
Utah
Nizhoni Fire, Manti-LaSal NF (2,354 acres, 40% contained, 302 FF/OH) -
Burdick's Type 2 team is managing the fire, which is ten miles west of
Blanding, Utah. Substantial progress was made in containing the northeast
flank yesterday.
Georgia
Blackjack Bay Complex, Okefenokee NWR (122,143, 3% containment, 195 FF/OH)
- A fire use management team (Adams) is operating under a unified command
with Georgia and Florida forestry. Crews successfully held a two-mile
section of line along the southern perimeter on Tuesday and are patrolling
for spots and slopovers.
Alaska
Vinasale Fire, Alaska Division of Forestry (100,000 acres, 0% contained,
210 FF/OH) - Ketcher's Type 2 team is managing the fire, which is burning
in black spruce, taiga and hardwoods 15 miles south of McGrath. The fire
was active on its northwest flank on Tuesday due to lower humidity and
higher temperatures. The fire is moving east toward Noir Hill and crews are
building fire lines along the flanks. Structure protection is in place for
McGrath.
West Fork Chena Fire, Alaska Division of Forestry (22,092 acres, 70%
contained, 143 FF/OH) - A Type 2 team (Jandt) is assigned. The fire is
burning in black spruce about 50 miles east of Fairbanks. The fire
displayed little activity. Crews made significant progress in constructing
lines.
MP 78 Elliott Highway, Alaska BLM (95,626 acres, 25% contained, 296 FF/OH)
- The fire is burning seven miles southwest of Livengood in black spruce,
hardwoods, brush and litter. Johnson's Type 2 team is assigned. Direct
attack lines are being constructed on the west flank and are nearing
completion on the east flank.
National Fire Danger
Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Alaska, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma,
Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.
National Resource Commitments
Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
Date 5/28 5/29 5/30 5/31 6/1 6/2 6/3 6/4
Crews 137 142 149 151 177 226 287 464
Engines 57 83 139 402 348 505 348 427
Helicopters 36 31 40 69 73 93 82 95
Air Tankers 2 1 2 2 4 2 2 0
Overhead 605 631 611 742 585 1,002 1,332 1,567
Type 1 IMT 2 2 2 1 1 2 4 4
Type 2 IMT 1 2 3 6 8 10 9 12
Fire Use IMT 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
National Fire Warnings and Watches
NICC has not issued any fire watches or warnings for today.
Park Fire Situation
Hawaii Volcanoes NP - The south flank of the Kupukupu Fire (3,660 acres,
10% contained, 135 FF/OH) was successfully burned out yesterday. Crews are
constructing lines on the fire's flanks.
Everglades NP - The prescribed fire season continues at the park. Two
fires were recently completed - one on the Harney River, the other on the
Broad River. Both were done using aerial ignition and were 500 and 1,000
acres respectively. Exact acres will be calculated when the fires are
mapped.
Park Fire Danger
Extreme - Grand Canyon NP, Mesa Verde NP, Big Bend NP
Very High - N/A
High - Mojave NP
[NPS Situation Summary Report, 6/4; NICC Incident Management Situation
Report, 6/5]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Uniform Program Update - The new uniform cargo shorts will be available for
ordering at the end of June, with a shipping date of mid-July. Watch for
this new item to appear on the uniform web site. [Randy Coffman, RAD/WASO]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Zion NP (UT) - The park is recruiting for a GS-0303-6/7 supervisory visitor
use assistant. The person selected will work on a team of three field
supervisors in the fee management branch and is directly supervised by the
fee program manager. The job is subject-to-furlough; there will probably be
one pay period of non-pay status during the winter months. Primary duties
will include responsibility for overseeing deposit and remittance
procedures using Advantage software, procurement, interdivisional
orientations and training, and managing accountable stock inventories.
He/she directly supervises 10 permanent and seasonal VUAs and shares
supervisory responsibilities for 20 other permanent and seasonal VUAs who
work at three entrance stations, two campgrounds, and the Zion/Mt. Carmel
tunnel. Job duties include field work at the entrance stations, campgrounds
and tunnel, completion of remittances and deposits, tracking of accountable
property, conducting audits, hiring and personnel management and working in
an NPRS campground operation. The branch includes a fee program manager,
three field supervisors, and 30+ seasonal and PSTF VUAs. This is a good
opportunity to gain extensive field level supervisory experience and
introductory budget management skills. This vacancy will close on June 21st
and can be found on USA Jobs. For more information, contact the Fee
Management Office at 435-772-0177. [Rick Delappe, ZION]
* * * * *
Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation
and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.
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