RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
MORNING REPORT
Attention: Directorate
Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
CC: RAD Information Net
Day/date: Tuesday, April 16, 1991
INCIDENTS
91-110 - Death Valley (California) - Structural Fire
A fire broke out in the old cookhouse employed as an
administrative building at Scotty's Castle some time between
3:30 and 4:30 a.m. on the morning of April 13th. An NPS
employee who lives nearby first saw the fire around 5:00 a.m.
The initial exterior attack was made ten minutes later by an NPS
fire truck and crew from Grapevine, which is about four miles
from Scotty's Castle. Firefighters employed two inch-and-a-half
lines from a hydrant and a two-and-a-half inch line from the truck
to knock down the flames; additional assistance was received
about an hour later from the NPS and Fred Harvey fire trucks
from Furnace Creek. Despite their efforts, the structure and
its contents were almost totally destroyed. The estimated loss
is placed in excess of $200,000. A complete investigation into
the cause of the fire was conducted by an arson investigator
from the state fire marshall's office, who concluded that the
fire was started by an overheated computer in the maintenance
office which had been left on to receive SEAdog messages.
Although 30 mph winds caused the fire to threaten Scotty's
Castle, there was no damage to that building. There were no
injuries to any personnel. The 2,000-square-foot structure, which
was built in 1930 and was considered to be an historic building,
was used as an office and storage area for the interpretive,
maintenance and protection divisions. Although portions are
still standing, the structure is considered unsafe and will be
demolished. Director Ridenour was in the area at the time, and
was flown over the fire. The park had been notified on the 12th
that $50,000 had just been approved to upgrade the building's
fire and security alarm system, which was old and outdated.
[Dale Antonich, CR, DEVA, via CompuServe message from Chris
Cameron, FMO, RAD/WRO, 4/15]
91-111 - Glen Canyon (Arizona/Utah) - Search and Rescue
Around 9:00 p.m. on the evening of the 12th, rangers received
word that a park visitor in Jackass Creek in Grand Canyon was
suffering from severe seizures from an unknown cause. Because
of the remote location, rangers responded by motorboat down the
Colorado River. The victim, R.F., 42, of Flagstaff,
was treated at the scene by ranger medics and transported back
to Lee's Ferry. He was then air evacuated to Flagstaff at 3:30
a.m. by an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter. The
rescue required two night runs of three sets of rapids.
[CompuServe message from Larry Clark, CR, GLCA, 4/15]
91-112 - Buffalo (Arkansas) - Rescue
Twelve visitors who were camped on the Gilbert gravel bar were
caught by rising water which turned the bar into an island on
the evening of April 12th. Local residents saw lights at the
camp, woke the campers, and notified rangers at Tyler Bend that
a rescue might be necessary. The campers, assisted by rangers,
were able to drive three of their six vehicles off the bar
through approximately three feet of water, but were unable to
get the remaining three vehicles a 1989 Topaz, a 1987 Hyundai
and a 1980 GMC truck to shore because of the rising water.
Rangers removed the group's camping gear from the site by boat
early the next morning, then moved the vehicles to the highest
ground on the bar and lashed them to willow trees with chains
and webbing in an attempt to keep them from washing down the
river. By Sunday morning, the vehicles were entirely submerged
and considered to be totally lost. Attempts will be made to
recover the vehicles today if the river drops low enough. The
access road to the gravel bar is posted with a sign warning
campers that the area is subject to flooding. [CompuServe
message from Dan O'Brien, Acting CR, BUFF, 4/15]
91-113 - Big Bend (Texas) - Fatal MVA
The sole occupant of a 1986 Ford Bronco was killed when it
rolled over on Route 11 near the north entrance to the park
early on the morning of April 15th. The name of the driver is
being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The driver
was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle.
[CompuServe message from RAD/SWRO, 4/15]
91-114 - Colonial (Virginia) - Suicide
The York County sheriff's office received word on the afternoon
of the 12th that a suicide note had been found at the home of a
59-year-old male in a nearby town which stated the specific
location within the park where he would be committing suicide.
Rangers and county officers responded to that area and found the
victim, who had a single gunshot wound in the head. The victim
was transported to a local hospital, where he died a short time
later. [CompuServe message from Jim Burnett, CR, COLO, 4/15]
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
No reports today.
OPERATIONAL NOTES
1) Canyonlands has received two requests from individuals both
doctors of veterinary medicine asking that goats be designated
as pack animals for the purpose of transporting equipment into
the backcountry. The resource management staff is interested in
hearing from any park that has received a similar request or can
provide information on known research and impacts of goats,
their potential for transmitting disease to resident bighorn
sheep populations, and any related findings or comments. Please
fax information to Larry Thomas at 801-259-7164 ext. 22 or send
via SEAdog at 12/1340.
STAFF STATUS
Division Chief: No travel or leave scheduled.
Branch of Resource & Visitor Protection: Martin on AL (4/15-4/19);
Halainen on detail to House Subcommittee on National Parks and
Public Lands (3/8-4/26); Henry on SL (indefinite).
Branch of Fire: Hurd, Broyles, Farrel, Norum and Gale instructing at
training course on fire management for managers, Marana, AZ
(4/14-4/19).
Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities
Telephone: FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
Telefax: FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977
CompuServe: WASO-RANGER (Branch of R&VP); WASO-FIRE-WO (Branch of Fire)
SEAdog: 1/650