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Subject: NPS Morning Report - Monday, August 9, 1999
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Date: Mon, 9 Aug 1999 07:51:45 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Monday, August 9, 1999
INCIDENTS
99-378 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Follow-up on Flash Floods
Sustained moderate to heavy rainfall - about an inch-and-a-half fell over 24
hours - caused flash floods and led to a rock fall and trail washouts on the
Bright Angel trail on the afternoon of July 14th. Another severe storm cell
with heavy rain and lightning passed through the area that night, causing
significant trail damage and a pipeline break on the North Kaibab trail. The
Northern Arizona interagency Type II team took over management of the
incident - named "Monsoon '99" - on the evening of the 16th. By mid-day on
the 17th, six Arizona hot-shot crews and four helicopters had been assigned
to reconstruction of park trails. A Sky Crane arrived on July 20th to
transport a bulldozer, other heavy equipment and large amounts of dirt to the
North Kaibab trail. The hot-shot crews were ordered off the incident on July
22nd to work on western wildfires. Several crews were subsequently flown in
as replacements. Work on the Bright Angel trail was completed on July 23rd;
the South Kaibab trail was completely reopened on July 24th. Work was
continuing on the North Kaibab at the time of the report. A 20-person Hopi
crew was rebuilding a significant wall to protect both the trail and water
line. At the peak of the incident, 230 people and five aircraft were
assigned to the incident. [Patrick Hattaway, DR, River District, GRCA, 7/30]
99-418 - Everglades NP (FL) - Follow-up on Search in Progress
The search for K.E. has been scaled back due to the lack of clues.
Article-scenting dogs have completed searching all areas, and a body-scenting
dog was employed in the primary search areas. Aerial searches have also been
completed. Numerous investigative leads were and are being pursued. An NPS
criminal investigator will lead the continuing interagency investigation.
[Maureen McGee-Ballinger, IO, EVEr, 8/6]
99-431 - Blue Ridge Parkway (NC/VA) - Apprehension of Armed Robber
An armed robbery occurred at a trading post just off park lands in McDowell
County, North Carolina, on the morning of August 5th. Police broadcast a
description of the three suspects and their weapons and vehicle. About an
hour later, park employee Carolyn Sparks saw the vehicle and called in the
location and direction of travel. Ranger Kristin Fey quickly picked the
vehicle up and followed it while awaiting the arrival of other units. Two
deputies joined Fey and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver
accelerated away. At one point, the vehicle slowed and one of the occupants
jumped out and fled into woods near the parkway. Fey and one deputy stopped;
the other deputy continued the pursuit. The vehicle spun-out a short time
later and the two remaining occupants were taken into custody. A search for
the third man was begun. A short segment of the parkway was closed, a
containment perimeter was established, and a unified command was set up with
the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office. A tracking team comprised of a dog, a
state ranger, and NPS rangers began tracking the man, but the track was lost
and the manhunt was suspended after six hours. Three NPS rangers and a
canine unit remained in the area. Around 7 p.m., the park received a tip
regarding a suspicious person in the area from a park visitor - who also
happened to be an assistant U.S. attorney. The man was quickly found and
taken into custody without incident. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist,
BLRI, 8/6]
99-432 - Yellowstone NP (WY) - Rescue
The park received a report that a visitor had fallen over the edge of the
overlook near Firehole Falls at 11:40 a.m. on July 20th. Rangers found D.S.,
47, of Oak Park, California, on a small ledge about 60 feet down a
steep, rocky embankment above the Firehole River. She was suffering from
head injuries and possible fractures. D.S. had been leaning over the edge
to photograph the falls when she lost her balance and fell. Park medics
Bonnie Gafney and John Piastuck were able to reach her via a difficult but
non-technical route. Rangers opted to evacuate D.S. via a technical litter
raising due to the loose, rocky terrain. She was then taken by ambulance to
a clinic in West Yellowstone. Advanced technical rescue team members from
Madison and Old Faithful were assisted by volunteers and park employees who,
by lucky coincidence, had been attending a basic technical rescue class
nearby. Ranger Richard Moore was IC. [Richard Moore, YELL, 8/6]
99-433 - Glacier NP (MT) - Search and Rescue
D.K., 49, of Polebridge, Montana, left for a day-hike to Long Bow
Lake in the North Fork area of the park at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, August 3rd. He
was reported overdue by his wife early the following morning. Ground crews,
a helicopter, and two dog teams were quickly dispatched to the area by IC
Scott Emmerich. The lake is located in a remote section of the park with no
trail leading to it, so ground crews had to bushwack their way through thick
woods and fallen timber in an attempt to locate D.K. At 3 p.m., ranger
Chuck Cameron made verbal contact with D.K. and found him shortly
thereafter. D.K. was exhausted, severely dehydrated and had lost a
considerable amount of blood from a number of severe lacerations on his face.
He also suffered from an intestinal problem that would not allow him to keep
food or fluids down. He did not remember how he got the lacerations and
doctors believe that he may have been unconscious for a period of time.
Because of his condition and the distance to the nearest trail, D.K. was
evacuated by helicopter to a waiting ambulance and transported to North
Valley Hospital in Whitefish. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Considering his condition and the remote location and rugged terrain,
D.K. was fortunate to be found and rescued. [David Eaker, Assistant PAO,
GLAC, 8/6]
99-434 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Rescue
On August 2nd, three concession employees from the North Rim Lodge - A.A.,
R.T. and D.G. - set off to go rock scrambling and
exploring below the canyon rim at the Cape Royal overlook. None had any
technical climbing experience. They climbed down several hundred feet over
broken talus slopes until they reached a 50-foot cliff, at which point they
decided to return. As they began their ascent, A.A., who was in the
lead, was struck in the head by a "water cooler sized rock," knocked
backward, and fell 50 vertical feet. R.T. scrambled up to the canyon rim
and grabbed a tow strap and electrical extension cord from their vehicle to
use as a makeshift rope. Before returning, he told a visitor to get help.
An interpretive ranger was contacted at the Walhalla overlook and responded.
Richard Wise, an off-duty Los Angeles firefighter who was visiting Cape Royal
at the time, was instrumental in sizing up the accident for park dispatch.
North Rim ranger Joel Ellis assisted D.G., who was in an exposed position
200 feet below the rim. Ranger Ron Martin, maintenance employee Kelly Confer
and North Rim wildland firefighters soon arrived on scene with technical
rescue equipment, and rescue personnel were dispatched from the South Rim in
a park helicopter. Ranger/IEMT Matt Vandzura and ranger Dave Desrosiers were
lowered to the accident site. A.A. was immobilized in a vacuum mattress
and bauman bag stretcher, then lifted by short-haul to the rim and
transferred to a medevac helicopter for transport to Flagstaff Medical
Center. Desrosiers and R.T. were then short-hauled out. Meanwhile,
Confer rigged a fixed line to allow D.G. to ascend to the rim. Although
A.A. suffered several lacerations, he was somewhat miraculously uninjured
otherwise and was released after 24 hours of observation. Ranger Ron Martin
was IC. [Ken Phillips, GRCA, 8/5]
99-435 - Crater Lake NP (OR) - Trailer Fire
A fire in an unoccupied pop-up camper trailer necessitated the evacuation of
55 campsites in the Mazama campground on the afternoon of July 24th. Campers
reported the fire to campground hosts, who phoned 911. Two rangers, a
structural fire engine and crew and a wildland fire engine and crew were
dispatched to the scene. They found the camper fully involved. The fire was
quickly suppressed by the structural fire crew after the propane tanks had
fully vented. Wildland fire crews extinguished a small wildfire ignited by
the trailer fire. The 1998 Skamper camper and its contents were a total
loss. The cause was under investigation at the time of the report. [George
Buckingham, CR, CRLA, 7/26]
99-436 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - EMS Incident; Life Saved
On the night of July 31st, rangers received a report that a man at the El
Tovar Hotel was not feeling well. EMTs were on scene within ten minutes and
began an assessment on I.F., 65, a British national. I.F. condition
deteriorated quickly. Ranger Rosie Peragine and paramedic Phil Mennenoh
treated I.F. and transported him to the park clinic. I.F. went into
cardiac arrest just after arriving at the clinic. Mennenoh and clinic staff
successfully defibrillated him and he was flown to Flagstaff Medical Center
for further care. He was reported to be doing well at the time of the
report. [Kent Delbon, Lead Ranger, South District, GRCA, 8/4]
FIRE ACTIVITY
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL - Level III
LARGE FIRE/INCIDENT SUMMARY
Thu Sat % Est
State Unit Fire/Incident IMT 8/5 8/7 Con Con
NV Winnemucca FO Dun Glenn Cx T2 167,000 350,136 20 UNK
Jungo Cx T2 87,000 125,480 90 UNK
Eden Valley -- 1,000 1,000 UNK UNK
Eugene -- 3,000 3,000 UNK UNK
Ozgood -- 1,000 1,000 UNK UNK
* Corridor Cx -- - 150,000 75 8/8
Battle Mtn. FO Battle Mtn. Cx T2 70,000 208,031 40 UNK
Eureka Cx -- 20,000 20,000 0 UNK
Elko FO * Sadler Cx T2 - 180,000 50 8/10
* Rose -- - 50,000 70 UNK
* Dry Canyon -- - 400 0 8/9
Bispo -- 2,800 2,800 100 CND
Jiggs -- 3,840 3,840 100 CND
Frenchie -- 10,000 50,000 100 CND
Carson City FO New Pass -- 50,000 74,500 40 UNK
Humboldt NF Baxter -- 1,750 2,000 75 UNK
OR Burns District Potato Hills -- 300 300 100 CND
Long Hollow -- 3,500 3,500 100 CND
State * Flat Creek -- - 1,400 100 CND
WA Okanagan NF Balky -- 225 225 100 CND
Wenatchee NF Lk. Wenatchee Cx T2 70 80 50 UNK
ID Salmon/Challis NF Soldier FUM 2,394 2,394 0 -
Lower Snake District Buck 'N Doe -- 5,500 5,500 100 CND
* Deer Creek -- - 2,000 85 8/8
* Little Big -- - 3,800 100 CND
Upper Snake District Mule Butte -- 144,000 138,915 100 CND
CA N. Cal. District Buckhorn Cx T2 5,300 5,300 100 CND
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
NUMBER OF NEW FIRES (FOUR DAY TREND)
NPS BIA BLM FWS States USFS Total
Wednesday, 8/4 4 12 91 2 175 187 471
Thursday, 8/5 16 8 77 1 208 212 522
Friday, 8/6 4 98 30 1 96 153 382
Saturday, 8/7 7 11 20 0 55 117 210
TOTAL COMMITTED RESOURCES (FOUR DAY TREND)
Crews Engines Helicopters Airtankers Overhead
Wednesday, 8/4 162 422 82 10 770
Thursday, 8/5 266 429 96 10 1,284
Friday, 8/6 74 129 21 4 436
Saturday, 8/7 174 393 68 1 748
CURRENT SITUATION
Fire activity has moderated in the western Great Basin - large fires have
grown only slightly and there have been few new starts. Both new lightning
starts and holdover fires were reported on Saturday in the Northwest and
northern rockies.
High to extreme fire indices were reported in 20 states - Oregon, Washington,
Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, Utah, Nevada, South Dakota, Delaware,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, Maryland, Connecticut, New
Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Oklahoma.
[NICC Incident Management Situation Report, 8/7-8]
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION
Big South Fork NRRA (KY) - Endangered Species Found
On July 30th, biologists with the U.S. Geological Survey's Biological
Resources Division conducted a qualitative survey for mussels at a river
trail crossing that had been selected for inclusion in an upcoming horse
endurance ride event. The park requested the survey prior to issuance of the
special use permit for the race, an event which draws hundreds of riders to
the park. Survey workers found four federally endangered mussels within the
proposed crossing, including a new record for the park. Species found
included the tan riffleshell (Epioblasma walkerii), Cumberland elktoe
(Alasmidonta atropurpurea), Cumberland combshell (Epioblasma brevidens) and
the Clubshell (Pluerobema clava). A total of 14 species were identified at
the site, indicating a relatively rich habitat for mussels. The park is
currently in informal consultation with the the Fish and Wildlife Service at
another trail crossing where direct impacts to endangered mussel and fish
species associated with trail users were noted last fall (fresh dead and
crushed shells). The ride event will be rerouted to avoid these crossings.
The park is in the process of developing a roads and trails management plan.
[Sue Jennings, CRM, BISO/OBRI]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Climbing Closure at Devils Tower NM - The voluntary June closure of Devils
Tower to climbing achieved the best results ever this year, with only 163
climbers scaling the tower. The voluntary closure concept was initiated in
1995 as part of an innovative climbing management plan. The plan encourages
climbers to voluntarily refrain from climbing in June as a demonstration of
respect for American Indians. The tower is considered sacred by northern
Plains Indian peoples, many of whom come to the park to practice their
religious and cultural traditions. The park commended members of the
climbing community for their willingness to share the tower with American
Indians. A national climbing organization, The Access Fund, was instrumental
in educating climbers throughout the United States and supporting the
voluntary closure. Local climbing clubs, including the Northeast Wyoming
Climbing Club and the Black Hills Climbers Coalition, also supported the
closure. In 1994, prior to implementation of the climbing management plan,
1,294 climbers scaled the tower in June. Over the last five years,
compliance with the voluntary closure has ranged from 81 percent to a high of
88 percent in 1999. Additional information can be obtained by calling the
park at 307-467-5283. [Charles Cartwright, DETO]
MEMORANDA
Entries pending...
INTERCHANGE
No entries.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Hot Springs NP - The park is recruiting for two GS-9 protection rangers. A
law enforcement commission is required. Immediate consideration will be
given to those who are eligible for lateral reassignment or a voluntary
change to a lower grade. Hot Springs is a 5,500-acre park in an urban/rural
environment in the Ouachita Mountains. The adjacent city of Hot Springs has
a population of 33,000 and has all the services of a town of this size (and
more). Nearby lakes, rivers, the 1.8 million-acre Ouachita National Forest
and numerous state parks provide the full gamut of recreational
opportunities. For more information, please contact Mary Baber, park
personnel officer, 501-624-3383 ext. 602.
Little Bighorn Battlefield NM - The park has an opening for a WG-9 crew
leader/maintenance mechanic. The incumbent performs a full range of
maintenance work, and must have skills in mechanics, equipment and vehicle
operation, plumbing, painting, welding, and electrical and carpentry work. A
Mission 66 house is available. Housing is also available for rent or
purchase in Hardin, population 2,900, which is 17 miles northwest of the park
by freeway. For more information, contact facility manager Clifford Arbogast
at 406-638-2622 ext. 117.
* * * * *
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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