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Subject: NPS Morning Report - Friday, June 18, 1999
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Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 05:57:24 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Friday, June 18, 1999
INCIDENTS
98-735 - Indiana Dunes NL (IN) - Assault Conviction
On March 19th, M.K., 24, of Chicago plead guilty to charges stemming
from an assault that occurred on June 6, 1998. During an altercation, M.K.
threw a rock which struck M.J. in the head, causing a concussion.
In a plea agreement, M.K. plead guilty in federal district court to one
count of criminal recklessness, a felony under an assimilated state charge.
He had originally faced two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. On June
9th, M.K. was sentenced to two years' supervised probation, ordered to
immediately pay restitution of $1,056 to M.J., and also required to pay a
$500 fine and a $100 special court assessment. Charges against a second
defendant, D.C., 20, also of Chicago, were dismissed after M.K.
supplied information clearing D.C. of any involvement in the assault.
The judge did not send M.K. to prison because he admitted to the crime and
is the sole support for his elderly grandmother. [Rich Littlefield, CR,
INDU, 6/16]
99-276 - Gulf Islands NS (MS/FL) - Resource Violations
Commercial shrimping season opened on Wednesday, June 9th, in the coastal
waters of Mississippi. Almost 1,000 shrimp boats worked the sound between
the mainland and the string of islands which make up the park's Mississippi
District. Rangers have been out during early mornings and late nights to
enforce the prohibition on commercial fishing in park waters. The largest
boat cited as of the time of the report was an 86-foot, ocean-going shrimp
boat. A total of ten shrimp boats had been boarded - four operators had been
warned and six had been cited for commercial fishing. Those cited have had a
shrimp trawl seized and will have to appear in federal court, where the
government will ask for a minimum $1,000 fine. Two people have been
physically arrested for interfering with an officer in the performance of his
duties. [Mark Lewis, Acting CR, GUIS, 6/13]
99-277 - Isle Royale NP (MI) - Winter Storm Damage
Crews arriving on the island to open the park in late April found extensive
damage from winter storms. Hundreds of trees had been blown down within the
main developed areas, and many buildings were literally covered with downed
trees. Fortunately, structural damage was not extensive. Four power poles
were broken and hundreds of feet of power line were also down. Significant
sections of the main water, sewer, and telephone lines at Rock Harbor had
been torn up by uprooted trees. No trees were left standing within a two- to
three-acre area near the park's sewage treatment plant. Trail crews have
already cut and removed over 1500 fallen trees from the park's trail system
and campgrounds. All key operating systems have been repaired, but debris
clean-up continues. Not since 1982 has the park experienced such a large
amount of winter blowdown. The winter storms were sufficiently violent to
deposit debris from Lake Superior under the porches of park residences on
Mott Island, something that has never occurred before. [Peter Armington, CR,
ISRO, 6/17]
99-278 - Big Bend NP (TX) - MVA with Multiple Injuries
On May 22nd, rangers responded to a rollover motor vehicle accident with
injuries which occurred on Park Route 11 near the park's north boundary.
They found four victims with multiple injuries. Two of the victims had
already extricated themselves and were being assisted by first responders.
The two remaining in the vehicle were more seriously injured and had to be
extricated. All four occupants were then transported to Big Bend Regional
Medical Center in Alpine. Two were then medevaced to Lubbock for advanced
care. All occupants were wearing seat belts. Alcohol was a contributing
factor. [CRO, BIBE, 6/16]
99-279 - Blue Ridge Parkway (NC/VA) - Attempted Suicide
Park dispatch received a cellular 911 call reporting an accident on the
parkway at 3 p.m. on June 10th. While the call was still in progress, the
driver of the vehicle involved in the accident left the scene and ran to the
parkway bridge over Highway 74. She climbed over the rail barrier and leaned
over the edge, 65 feet above traffic. Several visitors stopped traffic on
the parkway, while three others engaged her in conversation in an attempt to
talk her back. Ranger Kristin Fey arrived and attempted to talk her back
onto the bridge. The woman shook her head and let go of the bridge. Fey and
a visitor grabbed her as she fell, but she struggled, broke free of their
grip, and fell. She sustained multiple injuries and at last report was in
unstable and critical condition. Investigation showed that she had made
arrangements for the care of her children, left a note, cut her left wrist
and intentionally driven her car off the parkway prior to the attempt from
the bridge. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 6/15]
99-280 - Big Bend NP (TX) - Drug Seizure
District ranger Cary Brown stopped a vehicle for a routine traffic violation
at 6:30 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, May 23rd. Due to inconsistencies in
statements made by the driver, Brown became suspicious of his story and
activities and asked for assistance from the Border Patrol. A dog and
handler were dispatched. After several tries, the search dog hit on an area
near the front of the bed of the pickup. Further investigation revealed 245
pounds of marijuana hidden in a false bottom and other hidden compartments.
The drugs were coated with oil and mustard in an attempt to deter detection.
The driver was arrested and turned over to the joint DEA task force. [CRO,
BIBE, 6/16]
99-281 - Colonial NHP (VA) - Drugs
On June 10th, a park visitor turned in a suspicious package which he found on
the beach at the beach picnic area. A field test was performed on the
contents of the package; the results were positive for cocaine. The package,
weighing one kilogram, was estimated to have a street value of $18,000 to
$20,000. A thorough search of the shoreline within park boundaries was
conducted, but no further contraband was located. Increased patrols are
being conducted along park boundaries. Bob Whiteman is leading the
investigation and being assisted by DEA. [Hiram Barber, ACR, COLO, 6/11]
99-282 - Blue Ridge Parkway (NC/VA) - Assault
On June 13th, dispatch received a report of an assault on a woman and a boy
that had taken place near the Bull Creek overlook. The reporting visitor had
gotten the pair out of the area. The incident was investigated by rangers
Kristin Fey and Kathryn Brett, who determined that the assailant was a close
associate of the victims. Neither required medical care and were assisted in
obtaining outside support. The investigation continues. [John Garrison,
Protection Specialist, BLRI, 6/15]
FIRE ACTIVITY
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level II
LARGE FIRE/INCIDENT SUMMARY
Tue Wed % Est
State Unit Fire/Incident IMT 6/15 6/16 Con Con
AZ Grand Canyon NP Mt. Emma FUM 1,240 1,241 0 UNK
Coronado NF * Lone -- - 300 NR NR
AK Yukon-Charlie NP B242 -- 1,500 6,000 0 UNK
B248 -- 800 2,000 0 UNK
B260 -- 500 450 0 UNK
B227 -- 50 50 0 UNK
Denali NP B263 -- 470 580 0 UNK
Ft. Greely Army Base Donnelly Flats T1 13,820 14,500 35 UNK
Upper Yukon, BLM Minto T2 2,100 3,000 0 UNK
NV Humboldt-Toiyabe NF Peavine -- 150 150 100 CND
Carson City FO * Granite Pit -- - 160 100 CND
OR Prineville FO Dead Dog -- 400 400 10 6/17
Heading Notes
Unit Agency = BIA area; NF = national forest; RU = CA state resource
or ranger unit; RD = state ranger district; FO = BLM field
office; 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; FUM = Fire Use
Management Team
% Con Percent of fire contained; UNK = unknown; NR = no report
Est Con Estimated containment date; NEC = no estimated date of
containment; CND = fully contained; NR = no report
FIRE NARRATIVES
Grand Canyon NP - Although the Mount Emma fire did not grow in size on
Wednesday, it was monitored for further spread along sections of the fire
that had not yet required firelines. Some unburned areas and larger fuels in
the interior of the fire continue to smoulder, and the fire could spread,
depending on weather conditions. Surplus resources are being released, but
the portion of the fire within the park will continue to be monitored and
managed for resource benefits. Remaining crews will serve as monitors and
work on rehabilitation of helispots and sections where firelines were
constructed. [Scott Sticha, PIO]
Yukon-Charlie NP - The B242 fire is actively burning in tundra along Yukon
River. It is spreading most rapidly on its west flank; although it is also
burning to the north in spruce, there is too much smoke for accurate GPS
mapping. None of the three remaining fires have been GPS mapped yet. Cooler
and moister conditions were forecast for yesterday. [Marsha Lutz, Area FMO]
Denali NP&P - Fire activity on B263 decreased yesterday. The fire continues
to back uphill in tundra, and there's been no real activity in the spruce.
Numerous hot spots are occurring along the perimeter. There is no threat to
structures. Rain and high clouds were reported in the park yesterday
morning. [Jan Passek, Area FMO]
NUMBER OF NEW FIRES (FOUR DAY TREND)
NPS BIA BLM FWS States USFS Total
Sunday, 6/13 2 5 13 3 71 36 130
Monday, 6/14 2 126 15 1 181 27 352
Tuesday, 6/15 0 19 14 2 79 73 187
Wednesday, 6/16 0 13 34 0 78 76 201
TOTAL COMMITTED RESOURCES (FOUR DAY TREND)
Crews Engines Helicopters Airtankers Overhead
Sunday, 6/13 71 54 29 0 341
Monday, 6/14 105 152 34 2 377
Tuesday, 6/15 104 126 33 0 361
Wednesday, 6/16 112 178 44 5 383
CURRENT SITUATION
Large fires continued on Wednesday in Alaska, the Southwest, the Great Basin
and the Northwest. There was moderate to heavy initial attack in California,
Great Basin and Southwest.
Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, New Mexico,
Texas, California, Nevada, Georgia and Colorado.
[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 6/17; Mike Warren, NPS, 6/17]
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION
No entries.
OPERATIONAL NOTES
REMINDER: Law Enforcement Needs Study Deadline - A web site survey has been
developed to help gather information from parks on their law enforcement
needs in the following areas:
o vehicles, vessels and aircraft
o special law enforcement equipment
o communications centers
o capital construction projects
Next Monday, June 21st, is the deadline for entering park needs in the law
enforcement survey. Questions should be directed to Steve Shackelton at 202-
208-4301.
MEMORANDA
No entries.
INTERCHANGE
No entries.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
No entries.
* * * * *
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
pertaining to receipt of 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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