- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Wednesday, August 20, 1997
- Date: Wed, 20 Aug 1997
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Wednesday, August 20, 1997
Broadcast: By 1000 ET
INCIDENTS
97-453 - Theodore Roosevelt NP (ND) - Follow-up on Employee Death
The funeral for park maintenance employee Joseph Kranski, 54, who died of an
apparent heart attack on August 13th, was held on Monday at the St. Demetrius
Ukrainian Catholic church in Belfield, North Dakota. About 30 park staff
attended, and several served as honorary pallbearers. Attendance exceeded
the church's seating capacity. Condolences can be sent to L.K. A CISD
session for park staff was held last Thursday. [Jay Liggett, CR, THRO, 8/19]
97-454 - Glen Canyon NRA (UT/AZ) - Follow-up on Flash Flood with Fatalities
A military jet boat was employed to search the Antelope Canyon debris field
yesterday, but no sign of the remaining two victims was found. The canyon
will be searched by boat again twice today; dog teams and a helicopter will
be utilized tomorrow. The chief nurse from the Lake Powell Medical Center
briefed park staff yesterday on the potential exposure of searchers to
hepatitis A, salmonella, tetanus and giardia from collateral sewage runoff
that occurred with the flood; appropriate immunizations have been identified
for search team members. [Tomie Lee, CR, GLCA, 8/19]
97-461 - American Memorial (Saipan) - Follow-up on Typhoon Winnie
Super Typhoon Winnie, with winds up to 185 mph, passed within 140 miles of
Saipan on the evening of August 12th. The park suffered light to moderate
damage from winds of 50 to 70 mph and the 15 inches of rain which fell over a
24-hour period. Some large trees fell or shed large branches on the park's
bike/jogging path and picnic areas, about 90% of the tree canopy was lost in
the park's wetland areas, and all 30 plus mahogany trees on the main mall
snapped at their bases or were uprooted. All boats in the marina weathered
the storm in good condition except for a construction barge which sank.
Electric power on the island was sporadic for three days following the storm,
but is largely back to normal. No building or structural damage occurred.
Park crews were assisted by rangers from War in the Pacific NHS, who were on
Saipan for an oral history workshop and unable to fly home due to the
typhoon. The estimated damage and rehab cost has been placed at from $5,000
to $7,000. [Chuck Sayon, Site Manager, AMME, 8/19]
97-467 - Chattahoochee River NRA (GA) - Car Clouting Arrests
Following a year-long investigation, park criminal investigator Anthony
Roybal and agents from the Secret Service arrested W.M., P.S.,
T.B., R.H., S.K., D.B., G.E.
and J.E. - all from the Atlanta area - for auto burglaries and credit
card fraud. A total of 100 car clouts were cleared by the arrests, as well
as an estimated $500,000 in credit card fraud stemming from the park thefts.
Also cleared from the arrests were between 300 and 400 other auto burglaries
in the Atlanta area with associated credit card fraud of over $1,000,000,
four armed robberies, and a major fencing operation. W.M. has been
sentenced to 31 months in prison, P.S. to eight months, the E.'s to 24
months each, and R.H. to eight months. S.K. and D.B. have been indicted
and are on bail. Additional suspects have been identified, and more arrests
are pending. The investigation continues. [Ken Garvin, CR, CHAT, 8/12]
97-468 - Mount Rushmore NM (SD) - Special Event
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was held about 50 miles northeast of the
park in the town of Sturgis between August 4th and 10th. Rally officials
estimate that over 200,000 bikers from throughout the world attended this
year's events. Traffic and incidents associated with the rally impacted a
number of national parks in the Black Hills region. Over 45,000 bikers
visited Mount Rushmore during the rally period, causing very heavy traffic in
the park. Rangers responded to numerous rally-related incidents, including
alcohol violations, public nudity, public urination, weapons, traffic
violations, and drug busts. Nine of the latter occurred - seven for
marijuana, one for cocaine, and one for methamphetamines. [Mike Pflaum, CR,
MORU, 8/10]
97-469 - Acadia NP (ME) - Poaching
During the early morning hours of August 9th, ranger John Carroll saw two
divers leave the ocean along the park loop road near Monument Cove. He
contacted and talked with them at their vehicle; after they departed, Carroll
discovered bags of poached lobsters at the shoreline. Carroll relayed the
information and had the vehicle stopped by Bar Harbor police and Maine Marine
Patrol officers. Investigation revealed that the pair had taken 33 lobsters
by hand, an illegal method in Maine, and that some were also illegal because
they were undersized, oversized and/or "v-notched" females. Both men
received a number of violation notices from the marine patrol officers and
their diving equipment was seized. They will appear in court later this
month. The violation fines could exceed $1,500. [Rob Yates, DR, ACAD, 8/10]
97-470 - Cuyahoga Valley NRA (OH) - Explosives
An explosive device was detonated in early August in a women's restroom in
the Virginia Kendall Ledges area of the park, completely destroying a
porcelain fixture and damaging water lines. The entire unit was temporarily
closed while rangers conducted a search for explosives in other areas. None
was found. ATF agents were summoned and conducted a joint investigation of
the scene with rangers. Preliminary findings indicate that the explosive was
constructed from a metal CO2 cartridge and black powder, with a "hobby cord"
fuse. This is the second such incident in the South District so far this
summer. The previous incident involved the destruction of a new animal-proof
garbage can at a roadside picnic area. Explosives are also suspected in a
third incident in which a wooden sign post near the parking lot of popular
area was destroyed. These incidents occurred after hours, and there are no
known witnesses. The investigation continues. [Dale Silvis, DR, South
District, CUVA, 8/7]
97-471 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Falling Fatality
C.R., 67, and his wife were scrambling on the west face of Mount
Conness at 10,600 feet on August 10th. While walking on a small ledge across
a steep slab, C.R. fell between 30 and 50 feet, sustaining severe trauma
to his head and extremities. His wife determined that he was dead, then
hiked out to report the incident the following afternoon. Rangers flew to
the scene in the park helicopter and recovered the body. [John Roth, DR,
Tuolumne District, YOSE, 8/14]
97-472 - Pea Ridge NMP (AR) - Structural Fire
Rangers were notified that a fire alarm had been triggered in the park's
visitor center just before midnight on August 7th. Responding units found
smoke in the visitor center lobby and bookstore, but no visible sign of the
source could be immediately detected. Local fire departments and the park's
fire crew were notified. The source of the smoke was found, but the exact
location of the fire could not be determined until fire units arrived because
of its density. Firefighters found a large motor in the building's cooling
unit burning. The unit was removed from the structure and power and
utilities were soon restored. The quick response of the local volunteer fire
departments and the park's fire staff confined the damage to the motor unit
and housing area. Particular credit has been given to fire supervisor/
maintenance worker Sheri Nodine and maintenance worker Bill Clark for their
quick response. [Robert Still, PR, PERI, 8/14]
97-473 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Rescue
North Rim rangers were dispatched to a reported mountain bike accident on a
Forest Service road near the East Rim overlook on the evening of August 13th.
According to the initial report, the victim was hanging over a tree limb and
had sustained partial lower body paralysis. Ranger Toby Hall responded
directly and was followed by the North Rim ambulance and park helicopter.
Responding units discovered that the 29-year-old man from Las Vegas, Nevada,
had actually slipped while climbing on Dog Point and had fallen over 30 feet,
landing in dense brush. His descent was checked by a three-inch tree which
prevented an additional fall of from 40 to 50 feet. Rangers stabilized and
evacuated him; rescue efforts were hampered by steep terrain, dense brush and
vertical exposures. Technical rescue rangers who were on an assignment
several miles away responded and deployed a belay line to secure the
backboard and assist in moving the victim up a steep talus slope. He was
flown to a hospital in Flagstaff where he was treated for a fractured
vertebra, wrist and humerus. Deficits in his lower extremities appear to be
diminishing. Entrance station rangers and wildland fire personnel also
assisted in the rescue effort. [Chris Fors, IC, GRCA, 8/14]
97-474 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Rescue
On August 5th, rangers received a report of a teenager suffering from high
altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) in a remote backcountry area. The park
helicopter was dispatched with a park medic aboard. The patient was treated
at the scene and evacuated to Tuolumne Meadows by helicopter, then taken to a
hospital in Mammoth Lakes by ambulance. He was diagnosed with moderate HAPE,
dehydration and altitude sickness. [Martin Zebell, PR, Tuolumne District,
YOSE, 8/14]
97-475 - Apostle Islands NL (WI) - Rescue
N.M., 14, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, was hiking the Lakeshore trail
with his father and brother on August 17th. Seeking access to Lake Superior
in order to go snorkeling, N.M. scrambled down a 60-foot clay bluff, lost
control on the slippery surface, and free fell the last ten to 15 feet.
N.M. landed on a rock ledge at the water's edge and sustained a broken leg.
Relatively calm lake conditions permitted an evacuation by boat and precluded
the need for a technical raising operation. Visitation to this section of
the park has tripled since the spring opening of the first two-mile section
of the planned eleven mile trail. This is the first serious incident to
occur on the trail. [Bob Mackreth, DR, APIS, 8/18]
[Numerous incident reports pending...]
FIRE ACTIVITY
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level II
LARGE FIRE/INCIDENT SUMMARY
Mon Tue % Est
State Unit Fire/Incident IMT 8/18 8/19 Con Con
CA Angeles NF Narrows T1 13,408 15,200 60 8/23
State Sierra -- 500 726 100 CND
Kern County * Chocktaw -- - 2,000 0 8/20
* Comanche -- - 800 30 NEC
Santa Barbara County * Santa Rosa -- - 500 0 NEC
OR Sheldon-Hart NWS * North Blizzard -- - 300 NR NEC
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
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
NUMBER OF NEW FIRES (FIVE DAY TREND)
NPS BIA BLM FWS States USFS Total
Friday, 8/15 1 5 5 3 90 34 138
Saturday, 8/16 2 0 4 0 47 22 75
Sunday, 8/17 2 0 8 0 30 21 61
Monday, 8/18 6 3 15 0 69 40 133
Tuesday, 8/19 1 1 6 1 51 25 85
TOTAL COMMITTED RESOURCES (FIVE DAY TREND)
Crews Engines Helicopters Airtankers Overhead
Friday, 8/15 151 235 52 20 542
Saturday, 8/16 191 199 48 13 765
Sunday, 8/17 190 218 44 13 694
Monday, 8/18 160 256 37 13 655
Tuesday, 8/19 122 312 33 16 502
COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT
1997: YTD Ten Year Average: YTD
Number of fires 45,543 56,798
Acres burned 2,640,477 2,254,891
CURRENT SITUATION
Large fire activity increased yesterday in the Northwest and southern
California. Resource mobilization through NICC was moderate. Very high and
extreme fire indices were reported by units in California, Nevada,
Washington, Oregon and Texas.
[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 8/20]
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Point Reyes NS (CA) - Follow-up on Elk Management
Over August 6th and 7th, 30 cow tule elk were successfully immobilized and
injected with the contraceptive vaccine PZP. Two helicopters were utilized
in the operation. The first carried a team to immobilize the elk; the second
carried biologists and veterinarians to administer the drug, radio-collar the
elk, remove several hairs for genetic work, and draw blood for the research
project. Within the next 60 to 90 days, researchers will be able to
determine the effectiveness of the PZP, which has never been used on tule
elk. The NPS, University of California/Davis, California Department of Fish
and Game, and Biological Resources Division are conducting the research and
provided staff for the two-day operation. [Don Neubacher, PORE]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Visitor Use Management Training and Development Plan - Ranger Activities is
in the process of putting together a visitor use management (VUM) training
and development plan for FY 1999. The plan will focus on the following
subjects:
o fee collection;
o recreation management;
o wilderness and backcountry management;
o campground management;
o special park uses;
o emergency medical services; and
o search and rescue.
Ideally, an annual training plan should be developed on the basis of the
established competencies for the subject areas and a Servicewide needs
assessment of all employees. Needs assessments are now being planned for the
entire service, and one will be conducted for VUM within the next two years.
In lieu of a formal needs assessment, however, Ranger Activities is
requesting your help in putting together a fairly accurate projection of the
training needs for FY99. The office needs to know your best estimate of the
number of employees in your area who may require training in the subjects
listed above. By September 3rd, please provide Chuck Anibal in Ranger
Activities with the number of employees needing training in FY 1999 and the
essential competencies that these employees will need to develop. Please
refer to the NPS employee development career planning and tracking kit sent
to each park for a complete listing of the essential competencies. If this
document is not available to you, contact Chuck via cc:Mail. Questions
should also be directed to him via either cc:Mail or telephone (304-535-
6401). [Chuck Anibal, RAD/WASO]
Overflights Update - The NPS overflights working group, constituted by the
NPS and the FAA for the purpose of making recommendations on how to regulate
commercial air tourism occurring over units of the system, will hold the last
of five meetings programmed within its 100-day operating time frame on
September 11th and 12th in Washington, DC. The working group hopes to be
able to recommend a draft of a proposed rule to both agencies which would
regulate air tourism over the parks. [Wes Henry, RAD/WASO]
MEMORANDA
No submissions.
EXCHANGE
No submissions.
OBSERVATIONS
This section, which appears intermittently in the Morning Report, contains
observations regarding the National Park Service, the System and the several
professions of park employees. Today's observation has been excerpted from a
collection of quotations entitled "John Muir: In His Own Words," compiled and
edited by Peter Browning (Great West Books, 1988).
"Never more, however weary, should one faint by the way who gains the
blessings of one mountain day; whatever his fate, long life, short life,
stormy or calm, he is rich forever."
John Muir, from the Atlantic
Monthly, February, 1911
* * * * *
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Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.
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