- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Wednesday, October 23, 1996
- Date: Wed, 23 Oct 1996
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Wednesday, October 23, 1996
Broadcast: By 1000 ET
INCIDENTS
96-612 - New River Gorge NR (West Virginia) - Special Event: Bridge Day
Bridge Day, the annual event in which one lane of the New River Gorge Bridge
is closed to all but foot traffic, was held on October 19th. Although many
visitors come to walk the bridge and view fall colors, the main attraction is
the BASE (Buildings, Antennas, Spans, Earth) jumping that occurs from the
876-foot high bridge to the landing area below. On this one day of the year,
the park issues a permit to the World BASE Association to allow parachute
landings on park property. This year, the weather for the event was less
than favorable - cold temperatures, some minor rain showers, and winds from
15 to 25 mph. The winds were also erratic, making it very difficult to steer
parachutes and assuring an interesting day for rescue teams. This year, 379
registered parachutists made a total of 383 jumps from the bridge. There
were 81 water landings requiring rescue by watercraft, but none of the
jumpers was injured. Five jumpers landed in trees, and the park's SAR team
performed technical rescues to retrieve two of them. One received a severe
rectal laceration which required surgery. Although a total of 25 injuries
were treated, most were minor scrapes, bruises, sprains and strains. There
were nine ambulance transports, including a head injury suffered by a visitor
on a commercial raft tour who was hit in the head by a parachutist landing in
the raft. A group of about 200 people from several organizations also
rappelled from the bridge on ten rappel lines, the longest of which was about
800 feet. There were no problems associated with this group. Senator
Rockefeller, ten gubernatorial candidates, and several other governmental
candidates from all parties attended the event to solicit support for their
campaigns, adding another dimension to incident management. The event was
managed under a unified incident command involving the park and several
state, county and local agencies. [Rick Brown, IC, NERI]
96-613 - Yosemite NP (California) - BASE Jumping Fatality
J.C., 42, of Phoenix was killed early on the morning of October
22nd while BASE jumping off El Capitan. BASE jumping is illegal in the park.
J.C. was one of several jumpers on El Capitan that day; six others were
arrested. BASE jumping was permitted in the park on a trial basis in 1980,
but was discontinued due to the high number of injuries, illegal jumps,
resource damages, and problems with spectator and visitor management. [Scott
Gediman, YOSE]
96-614 - Yosemite NP (California) - Rescue
On October 9th, rangers received a report of a seriously injured climber on
Sunnyside Bench. Ranger/paramedic Keith Lober was first on scene and found
that climber J.P. had fallen over 50 feet and was unconscious and
suffering from an unstable head injury. A blood trail was visible on the
wall which suggested that J.P. had not worn a helmet and that he'd landed
on his head. Lober climbed about 80 feet up a cliff wall to reach J.P.
ALS was begun and J.P. was lowered to the ground with the assistance of
rangers, the park SAR team and ambulance personnel. He was flown to a
hospital in Modesto, where it was determined that he'd suffered a basal skull
fracture and basal ganglionic contusion with resulting right side paralysis.
J.P. continues to show improvement and is recovering. [Brian Smith, YOSE]
96-615 - Joshua Tree NP (California) - Poaching Arrests
Between October 4th and 6th, rangers, Fish and Wildlife Service special
agents, BLM rangers and state wardens conducted patrols of the park and BLM
lands via ground and air in an effort to uncover any instances of reptile
poaching. On the evening of October 5th, S.C. and J.G. were
contacted for erratic driving. Subsequent investigation led to charges being
filed against S.C. by ranger Jeff Ohlfs for illegally taking a reptile and
for Lacey Act violations. S.C. is a four-time convicted wildlife poacher in
California, and it was later learned that he was also wanted on two felony
wildlife charges in Arizona. [Judy Bartzatt, CR, JOTR]
96-616 - Mount Rainier NP (Washington) - MVA; Attempted Suicide
The park received a report of a single-vehicle motor vehicle accident in the
vicinity of Chinook Pass around 3 a.m. on October 8th. Responding rangers
discovered a white 1975 Toyota pickup lodged on an embankment on the north
side of Highway 410 and provided medical assistance to the 21-year-old male
driver, who was found lying in the middle of the road. The victim told
rangers that Satan had instructed him to drive off the road to kill himself;
he rejected further medical treatment and threatened to kill anyone who
interfered with his death wish. The rangers took him into protective custody
and transported him to the nearest emergency room for treatment and
evaluation by a mental health professional. [Uwe Nehring, MORA]
96-617 - Organ Pipe Cactus NM (Arizona) - Drug Seizure
On October 10th, a 1985 Ford LTD being driven by J.M. was stopped by
Customs officers at the Lukeville port of entry from Mexico due to the strong
odor of marijuana emanating from the car. No marijuana was found. The car
broke down, however, and had to be towed back to Mexico. Accompanying J.M.
was a Mexican national identified as a suspect who had led rangers on
numerous vehicle chases. J.M. returned into the U.S. in a 1995 custom
Chevrolet extended cab pick-up, but immediately drove back into Mexico.
J.M. then entered the country a third time, drove to a local, privately-
owned motel and campground, then continued north along the park highway.
Rangers and Border Patrol agents stopped the truck in the park. During the
subsequent consent search, rangers found 164 pounds of marijuana in 70 small
bundles in four duffel bags. Seized were pagers, a cell phone, and the
truck, valued at $31,000. Also found underneath the middle seat console was
a plastic pistol. J.M. was found to be on parole for narcotics convictions
in California. [Aniceto Olais, CR, ORPI]
96-618 - Organ Pipe Cactus NM (Arizona) - Drug Seizure
During the early morning hours of October 16th, park maintenance employees
commuting to work spotted several individuals loading bundles into a vehicle
along the highway in an area known for drug smuggling. Rangers responded and
advised other agencies to be on the lookout for the identified vehicle. When
they arrived on scene, the rangers found evidence of at least four separate
tracks of backpackers. Border Patrol officers spotted and stopped the
vehicle north of the park. Four large bales of marijuana weighing 166 pounds
and possessing a street value of $133,000 were found within. Each bale was
rigged with seatbelt shoulder straps for easier carrying. One 19-year-old
Mexican national was arrested, and a 1988 Nissan sedan was seized. The
contraband had been backpacked from Mexico to the pickup point over a
distance of nearly eight miles through rough and broken terrain, all within
the park. This was the sixth drug seizure made within the park over the past
three weeks. Continued activity is expected due to the on-going marijuana
harvest in the Mexican interior. [Aniceto Olais, CR, ORPI]
96-619 - Point Reyes NS (California) - Assist; Structural Fire
A structural fire occurred at the historic H Ranch on the park's north
boundary around 3 a.m. on October 12th. Three structures, including two
large historic barns, were completely consumed. The firefighting effort to
save the other structures on the ranch was led by park and county crews. The
source of the fire is not known. The damage was estimated at over $500,000.
[Don Neubacher, PORE]
96-620 - Yellowstone NP (Wyoming) - MVA with Fatality
On the evening of October 16th, L.M., 39, of Las Vegas, was driving
southbound on Highway 191 when he lost control of his 1995 Ford Explorer.
The vehicle ran off the road, rolled, and came to rest upside down and
partially submerged in the Gallatin River. Emergency personnel from the park
and nearby agencies found L.M. still seatbelted in the water-filled
passenger compartment. He was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no
apparent death-causing injuries, and it appears that L.M. drowned. No
witnesses have been located. Investigators believe that L.M. lost control
due to prevailing slick, black ice conditions and a snowstorm that was on-
going at the time. [Mike Murray, ACR, YELL]
96-621 - Golden Gate NRA (California) - Demonstration; Mass Arrests
A group called "Religious Witness with Homeless People" conducted a non-
permitted demonstration in the Presidio on Sunday, October 13th. The group
had advertised in advance that they would conduct non-violent civil
disobedience. Although they were offered a First Amendment permit to
demonstrate legally, they declined the offer. About 50 of the demonstrators
entered an unoccupied dwelling in the Wherry housing area. Their signs
indicated that they were opposed to the planned destruction of these
buildings. Park Police officers made four announcements over a public
address system, asking the demonstrators to come out, but 35 of them refused
and had to be arrested. They were processed and cited for trespassing and
demonstrating without a permit, then released. This is the fourth homeless
demonstration in the park since the Service took over the Presidio in
October, 1994. [Lt. Kevin Hay, USPP/SFFO]
96-622 - Yosemite NP (California) - Disorderly; Resisting Arrest
Ranger Keith Lober was on patrol near Yosemite Lodge on October 4th when the
manager of the lodge's bar asked him for assistance in evicting an extremely
intoxicated and belligerent customer who'd been ordered out of the bar. The
customer, G.R., 39, an Australian national, was contacted by Lober and
ranger Jason Torlano in the hotel's lobby. G.R. openly defied numerous,
repeated directions and was eventually told that he was under arrest. He
twice charged the rangers, then retreated. Backup was requested, but G.R.
again approached Lober before they arrived and was accordingly sprayed with
OC spray. G.R. was able to block the spray with his hands, then attempted to
flee. He tried to slam a door into the rangers, then swung at Lober with his
fist. Lober deflected the blow with his baton. The rangers pursued him for
about 150 feet, then caught him and brought him to the ground. G.R. resisted
efforts to handcuff him and engaged in a protracted physical struggle with
the rangers. He was eventually taken to jail. On October 10th, he pled
guilty to resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and being under the influence
of alcohol. The magistrate told him that he would have spent 30 days in jail
if he hadn't been traveling with his wife and children. [Brian Smith, YOSE]
96-623 - Sleeping Bear Dunes NL (Michigan) - Resource Violation Conviction
On July 3rd, ranger Ken Blodick discovered a vehicle stuck on top of a sand
dune along Lake Michigan. The operator had driven over a boardwalk, through
a patch of endangered pitcher's thistle, and damaged about two acres of sand
dunes which are closed to vehicles. Due to the likelihood of an appropriate
fine for damage to the environment in state court, the state prosecuted. A
plea agreement was eventually reached in which the violator paid the park
$2,000 and the state $3,000 for damages - and another $350 for the state
citations. He felt fortunate that he was permitted to retain his 1996
Blazer. [Roger Moder, CR, SLBE]
96-624 - National Capital Parks East (D.C.) - Arson
A fire extensively damaged three storage/maintenance trailers located at the
Anacostia Marina on the afternoon of October 20th. Arson is suspected. Park
Police investigators and the city fire marshall are investigating. [Bill
Lynch, LES, NCSO]
96-625 - Lake Mead NRA (Arizona/Nevada) - Drowning
On the afternoon of October 12th, G.K., 47, drowned while attempting
to swim after a boat which had drifted away from shore in Kingman Wash Cove
near Hoover Dam. G.K. began experiencing problems about 40 feet from
shore, called for help, then went under. He was pulled ashore, and CPR was
attempted by rangers, state officers and visitors. G.K. died the following
day without regaining consciousness. Neither drugs nor alcohol were
contributing factors. This is the eighteenth accidental fatality at the park
this year. [Bob Belden, LAME]
96-626 - Haleakala NP (Hawaii) - Presumed Drowning
Three 26-year-old visitors entered a pool in the Palikea Stream on the
afternoon of October 20th. Two were immediately caught by the current and
dragged underwater. Two of the three made it to the edge of the pool, but
were unable to get out of the water; the third apparently was caught under a
submerged ledge near the pool outlet and presumably drowned. County and park
rescuers employed a 125 foot long line and basket with a swimmer/rescuer
inside to extricate the remaining two swimmers. The operation was made
particularly difficult by the high canopy, deep gorge, and winds generated by
the vigorous water flow. The park's high water warning signs were posted at
the time. Divers are still unable to enter the water due to the high flow
levels, but a streamside search is being conducted. [Karen Ardoin, CR, HALE]
96-627 - Black Canyon of the Gunnison NM (Colorado) - Climbing Fatality
S.P., 36, of Denver, Colorado, went on a solo climb of the Leisure
Route in Cruise Gully late last week. When he failed to return as scheduled,
his father reported him overdue to district ranger Bob Cornelius. Cornelius
and S.P.'s father checked the route he indicated on his backcountry permit
and found his body on a ledge 200 to 300 feet below the North Rim.
Preliminary investigation indicates that he was climbing the route alone and
unaided. He was reportedly an experienced climber, with over 75 ascents,
mostly solo, this year, including routes in Black Canyon. [Linda Alick, CR,
BLCA]
96-628 - Great Falls Park (Virginia) - Rescue
A kayak capsized in the rain swollen Potomac River on the afternoon of
October 20th after it struck a submerged log near Olmstead Island. The
occupant, B.G., managed to reach and cling to a rock in the river.
Park, fire and Park Police personnel responded. A Park Police helicopter
with a rope basket was employed to lift B.G. from the rock and bring him to
shore. He was uninjured. [Bill Lynch, LES, NCSO]
[Additional reports pending...]
FIRE ACTIVITY
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level II
LARGE FIRE/INCIDENT SUMMARY
Mon Tues % Est
State Unit Fire/Incident IMT 10/21 10/22 Con Con
CA Los Padres NF Sur T2 680 1,040 60 NEC
Los Angeles County Calabasas -- 12,100 14,000 20 NEC
San Diego RU Harmony ST1 4,500 8,600 48 10/24
Rincon -- 300 1,800 25 10/23
* Otay #322 -- - 11,000 0 10/23
Heading Notes
Unit -- Agency = BIA area; NF = national forest; RU = CA state resource
or ranger unit; RD = state ranger district; District = BLM
district; NWR = USFWS wildlife refuge
Fire -- * = newly reported fire (on this report); Cx = complex; LSS =
limited suppression strategy; CSS = containment suppression
strategy
IMT -- T1 = Type 1; T2 = Type II; ST = State Team
% Con -- Percent of fire contained
Est Con -- Estimated containment date; NEC = no estimated date of
containment; CND = fully contained; NR = no report; LPS = limited
protection status
FIRE HIGHLIGHTS
Calabasas Fire - Approximately 1,300 of the 14,000 acres consumed by the fire
are within Santa Monica Mountains NRA. NPS fire protection efforts during
the first day of the fire (Monday) focused on the Diamond X Ranch; the fire
burned through the ranch, but no structures were lost. One employee was
displaced for the night, and park horses were temporarily relocated. On the
second day, park firefighters focused on continued protection of the
Paramount Ranch and Castro Crest. Six structural firefighters were injured
yesterday in a burnover in Corral Canyon. One is in critical condition,
another serious, two are being monitored, two were treated and released.
Another city firefighter was injured in an engine rollover. Six residences
have burned. Secretary Babbitt toured the area late yesterday. Ish Messer,
the park's FMO, is serving as NPS liaison to Los Angeles County incident
command.
Harmony Fire - The fire has burned 70 structures, including a dozen homes.
Evacuation centers have been established in Carlsbad and San Marcos. Two
civilians were injured, one with critical burns.
NUMBER OF NEW FIRES (FIVE DAY TREND)
NPS BIA BLM FWS States USFS Total
Friday, 10/18 1 0 2 0 26 9 38
Saturday, 10/19 0 0 0 0 15 1 16
Sunday, 10/20 0 0 0 0 20 4 24
Monday, 10/21 0 0 0 0 24 6 30
Tuesday, 10/22 1 0 1 0 44 5 51
TOTAL COMMITTED RESOURCES (FIVE DAY TREND)
Crews Engines Helicopters Airtankers Overhead
Friday, 10/18 21 77 9 0 51
Saturday, 10/19 53 47 11 12 23
Sunday, 10/20 43 39 10 9 149
Monday, 10/21 * * * * *
Tuesday, 10/22 67 120 24 34 *
* No reports were received in this category from southern California, where
almost all fire resources are currently deployed.
CURRENT SITUATION
Large fire activity continued in southern California yesterday, but
diminished Santa Ana winds permitted firefighters to make progress on several
of them. MAFFS airtankers were dispatched to several fires by the state
yesterday; resource mobilization through NICC included airtankers,
helicopters, communication equipment and engines.
NATIONAL OUTLOOK
Santa Ana winds in California are expected to decrease significantly today.
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Uniform Program Ordering - IMPORTANT NOTICE: All necessary uniform contract
actions for FY 97 have been completed and R&R Uniforms has been instructed by
WASO Contracting that the program is funded and that they may resume
operations. Orders may therefore be submitted as soon as FY 97 price lists
have been received from R&R. Order forms have to date been mailed to most
areas in the East; the balance will be mailed within the next day or two.
MEMORANDA
No submissions.
EXCHANGE
No submissions.
* * * * *
Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed by park,
office and/or field area cc:Mail hub coordinators. Please address requests
for the Morning Report to your servicing hub coordinator.
Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.
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