NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Friday, September 25, 1998

INCIDENTS

98-612 - Southeast Region - Hurricane Georges

Hurricane Georges was 50 miles southeast of Key West this morning and
expected to make landfall in the keys by mid-day.  Highest sustained winds
are around 100 mph.  The current forecast is for the hurricane to reach the
main coastline between Florida and Louisiana this weekend.  It will likely be
a Category III storm by that time:

o     DeSoto NM (FL) - The park, which is near Tampa Bay on the Gulf side of
      the state, completed implementation of its hurricane plan yesterday
      afternoon and is now closed.  There will be no employees on-site during
      the hurricane's passage.  Severe erosion appears likely because of the
      park's location on the bay and the direction the storm is taking.

o     Everglades NP (FL) - All facilities at the park were shut down by 6
      p.m. yesterday and all non-essential employees were released to prepare
      their homes.  Final sweeps of the park were to be conducted yesterday
      afternoon; all required occupants were to be checked into designated
      shelters by 6 p.m.  A total of 33 people are assigned to the incident.

o     Virgin Islands NP (VI)/San Juan NHS (PR) - Although damage to park
      property in the Caribbean was not severe, all NPS employees in Puerto
      Rico and some in the Virgin Islands suffered significant losses to
      personal property. At least three San Juan employees lost their homes
      from a storm that the San Juan Star called "the biggest and most
      destructive hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in 70 years."  Eastern
      National has set up a donation account to assist those employees. 
      Anyone wishing to donate to the special hurricane account should send a
      check with a note on it saying that it's for "Hurricane Georges" to
      Eastern National, 470 Maryland Drive, Suite 1, Fort Washington, PA
      19034. The money will be distributed quickly to employees in need.  You
      can also make a contribution through the Combined Federal Campaign. An
      organization called the Federal Employees Education and Assistance Fund
      provides up to $600 in a combination of loans and grants to federal
      employees suffering from a natural disaster or unforeseen emergency
      (such as the Oklahoma City bombing). The fund is listed among the
      charities in the Combined Federal Campaign (pledge number 2808), so you
      can earmark a direct donation.  For more information on the fund, call
      1-800-323-4140.

[Ken Garvin, SERO, 9/23; Brian Loadholtz, CR/Acting Superintendent, DESO,
9/24; Maureen McGee-Ballinger, IO, EVER, 9/24; SEFA Public Affairs, 9/25]

98-620 - Point Reyes NS (CA) - Marijuana Cultivation Arrests

Rangers and the regional special agent recently completed a two-month-long
investigation into a marijuana cultivation site within the park near a state
highway.  Investigation of vehicles in the area and sensor equipment led to
identification of two Sausalito men as key suspects.  They were found in
possession of freshly-cut marijuana near the site.  Thirty plants valued at
$60,000 were seized; evidence linking them to the area was also found. 
Charges were filed against the pair with the county district attorney's
office.  [Charles Strickfaden, PORE, 9/21]

98-621 - Canyon de Chelly NM (AZ) - Apparent Suicide

A local family picking pinon nuts came across what appeared to be human
remains in a remote clearing off Spider Rock Road on September 19th.  Navajo
officers received the report and asked rangers for assistance.  The remains
were found near a parked vehicle belong to the victim, who apparently died
from a self-inflicted shotgun wound.  A shotgun was found near his body;
identification and two suicide notes were found inside the vehicle.  The
county sheriff's department is leading the investigation.  [CRO, CACH, 9/22]

                       [Additional reports pending...]

FIRE ACTIVITY

The fire report is not available this morning.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

No entries.

PARK DISPATCHES

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No entries.

MEMORANDA

No entries.

INTERCHANGE

No entries.

                                *  *  *  *  *

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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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