NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Thursday, July 15, 1999

INCIDENTS

99-373 - Glacier NP (MT) - Structural Fire

An early morning fire on Sunday, July 11th, destroyed the park's outdoor
amphitheater at Apgar campground near West Glacier.  The structure, used in
the presentation of interpretive programs to the public, was completely
destroyed.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  The fire was
reported by campers around 3 a.m.  Park structural and wildland fire crews
responded soon thereafter.  By the time they arrived, the wooden structure
was totally engulfed in flames, so their efforts centered on containing the
fire to prevent it from spreading to the surrounding forest.  Built in the
early 1960s, Apgar Amphitheater is used by park naturalists to conduct
interpretive programs for visitors.  The building that was destroyed
consisted of a stage with a backdrop containing a large slide projection
screen and a storage area containing audio-visual and other interpretive
equipment.  A monetary value has not yet been established for these losses. 
The associated bench seats were not destroyed.  [PIO, GLAC, 7/13]

99-374 - Great Basin NP (NV) - Search
     
On the evening of July 1st, rangers received a report that L.P., 39,
had disappeared near the 12,800-foot level of Wheeler Peak.  L.P. had
reached the summit (13,063 feet) with her companion, but complained of a
severe headache while there.  As they descended, her companion ducked behind
a rock wind break to avoid the high winds on the ridge.  After three or four
minutes he began looking for L.P., since she had been only a short distance
behind him.  For an hour, he looked both up and down the ridge, then
descended and reported the incident.  Because of the suddenness of her
disappearance and the area in which she disappeared, a search was begun
immediately.  Fourteen park employees from all divisions helped search all
trails in the area and the route to Wheeler Peak summit. On July 2nd, L.P.
was brought to the visitor center by a local rancher. She said she got off
the trail and headed west, thinking the trail circled the mountain.  When she
realized she was lost, she headed towards lights she saw in the distance. 
Because she had neither extra clothing nor a flashlight, she travelled all
night by moonlight until she reached a ranch house located outside the park. 
She sustained numerous cuts and bruises but was otherwise okay.  [Rick Yates,
ACR, GRBA, 7/11]

99-375 - Blue Ridge Parkway (NC/VA) - MVA with Fatality

A pick-up truck towing an RV left the roadway and struck a tree near mile
post 140 on July 12th.  J.J. of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was
killed in the accident; his wife and grandson, who were passengers in the
truck, received only minor injuries.  Park employee Al Hollister and FHA
employee Cullen Brooks were first on the scene and provided aid to the
injured.  The investigation is being headed by ranger Mike Klingensmith. 
Weather and road characteristics may have been contributing factors, as it
was raining and foggy and the accident occurred on a grade in a curve.  All
occupants were wearing seatbelts and both airbags deployed. [John Garrison,
Protection Specialist, BLRI, 7/13]    

99-376 - Coronado NM (AZ) - Drug Seizure, Arrest
     
On the morning of July 9th, rangers intercepted a suspected drug courier
before he could recover a load of marijuana cached within the park.  During
the subsequent joint investigation with Customs agents, a quantity of nearly
390 pounds of marijuana was found within 100 yards of the courier's vehicle. 
A number of backpacking smugglers were seen fleeing from the area and
eventually escaped south into Mexico.  The courier was taken into custody by
agents; the vehicle and marijuana were seized as evidence. [Fred Moosman, CR,
CORO, 7/12]

FIRE ACTIVITY

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level II

LARGE FIRE/INCIDENT SUMMARY 

                                                     Mon      Tue    %   Est
State      Unit              Fire/Incident   IMT     7/12     7/13  Con  Con

NV    Winnemucca District    Lang Syne        T2    8,000   24,340   35  UNK

CA    Tehama-Glen RU         Pellows         ST1      800    1,053  100  CND
      Cleveland NF           Conejos          --      350      298   80  7/14
      Butte RU             * Ohfir            --        -      147  100  CND

VA    Wash./Jeff. NF         Route 42         --      141      141   80  7/14

AK    Noatak NP              Uvgoon #2        --        -   70,600   NR  NR
      Yukon-Charley NP       B264             --        -   76,500   NR  NR
                             B242             --        -   45,174   NR  NR
                             B248             --        -   17,573   NR  NR
                             B260             --        -   44,600   NR  NR

                                  Heading Notes

Unit        Agency or Area Office = BIA area; NF = national forest; RU = CA
            state resource or ranger unit; RD = state ranger district; FO =
            BLM field office; 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 I Team; T2 = Type II Team; T3 = Type III Team; 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

Noatak NP - The Uvgoon #2 fire was not flown on Monday.

Yukon-Charley NP - Thirteen firefighters, two helicopters, a plane and
various boats are currently committed to park fires.  The B264 fire was
active on its southwest edge.  Sprinklers have been placed on the Woodruff
cabin, which is located between the B264 and B242 fires.  The B242 fire has
burned to the bluff above the Nations Bluff cabin.  Members of Yellowstone
NP's fire use module continue efforts to secure the cabin.  A Yellowstone
crew is working to protect Cook's cabin and Miller's camp from the B260 fire. 
The B248 fire is burning in spruce stringers and tundra and has crossed the
Charley River.  No structures are threatened.  

NUMBER OF NEW FIRES (FOUR DAY TREND)

                    NPS    BIA      BLM     FWS    States   USFS     Total

Saturday, 7/10       3     10         6       0       34     42        95
Sunday, 7/11         5     12        21       1       49     54       142
Monday, 7/12         5     10        18       3      200     71       307
Tuesday, 7/13        6      7        18       7       75     34       147

TOTAL COMMITTED RESOURCES (FOUR DAY TREND) 

                  Crews     Engines    Helicopters    Airtankers   Overhead

Saturday, 7/10     139        208          47             5           806
Sunday, 7/11       159        320          49             7           920
Monday, 7/12       177        312          45             9           938
Tuesday, 7/13      161        263          40             3           507

CURRENT SITUATION

Moderate initial attack was reported in most areas on Tuesday.

Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Alaska, Oregon,
Washington, California, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming and Arizona.

[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 7/14; Mike Warren, NPS FPMC, and
Karen La May, ARO, 7/13]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

Cape Hatteras NS (NC) - Relocation of Historic Lighthouse 

On Friday, July 9th, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was moved the final 80 feet
to its new home, reaching its new foundation site at 1:30 p.m.  The 
media was present in mass to cover the event.  Thousands of visitors watched
from just outside the construction zone.  Upon reaching "ground zero," horns
and sirens blared and a cheer went up from the crowd.  Much remains to be
done, but the transportation phase of this major event is over and another
interesting chapter has been added to the many chapters in the history of the
129-year-old structure.  [Bob Woody, PIO, Outer Banks NPS Group/Cape Hatteras
NS]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No entries.

MEMORANDA

No entries.

INTERCHANGE

No entries.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Big Bend NP - The park is recruiting to fill a vacant GS-11 district ranger
position.  The announcement is open until July 21st.  The position is located
in the Boquillas District, with a duty station at Rio Grande Village.  Anyone
interested should contact chief ranger Bill Wright at 915-477-1180.

Hopewell Furnace NHS - There's a GS-11 park ranger position open at the park. 
The incumbent manages natural resources and law enforcement and has
responsibilities in interpretation, safety and computers.  The closing date
is July 26th.  The position has been submitted for secondary 6(c) coverage. 
If you are interested, check out the vacancy announcement (MARO-99-27) on
USAJOBS or call chief ranger Jeffrey Collins at 610-582-8773.

Lake Roosevelt NRA - The park is recruiting for a GS-11/12 management
assistant (administration).  Duties are split 50/50 between serving as
principal assistant to the superintendent and serving as the team leader for
administration.  Lake Roosevelt, located in eastern Washington, is managed
under a cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation, NPS, Bureau
of Indian Affairs, and two American Indian tribes.  The incumbent is required
to work with these diverse interests as well as state and local agencies in
developing and implementing administrative and operations programs.  The
announcement closes August 3rd.  For further information, please contact the
superintendent's office at 509-633-9441, extension 110.

                                *  *  *  *  *

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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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