Coronado National Memorial (AZ)
Pursuit of Drug Smugglers; Shot Fired at Customs Agent
On the afternoon of May 2nd, a vehicle crossed into the United States
from Mexico through the southeast corner of the park. It headed west,
then north, along a rugged, two-track road known as East Forest Lane.
About five minutes later, a second vehicle followed. Rangers and Customs
agents tracked the vehicles and kept in close communication. About eight
miles north of the border, agents attempted to contact the operator of
the first vehicle. A pursuit ensued. The agents setup spike strips east
of the park, and rangers laid them down within the park. Both vehicles
hit strips north of the park. One of them turned off into a local ranch
and wrecked in a wash near the residence and corral; the driver was
apprehended and 657 pounds of marijuana were confiscated. The second
vehicle continued into the park, with Customs and Border Patrol agents
in pursuit. The driver made a wrong turn while in the park and crashed
through a metal gate leading into an abandoned ranch, then headed
cross-country to get back to the main park road. Just before entering
East Forest Lane, it hit spike strips and the driver nearly lost
control. He covered, though, and continued south on the lane on three
flat tires, leaving chunks of tire rims along the road. The vehicle took
out about 50 yards of border fence as the driver crossed over into
Mexico. All but one Customs agent then cleared from the scene. The
remaining agent stayed to take pictures of the damage to the fence.
While standing there, a single shot was fired from Mexico, striking a
rock on the ground just a few feet from the agent. He left the area
immediately.
[Submitted by Chief Ranger]
Coronado National Memorial (AZ)
Assault on Undocumented Aliens
A park maintenance worker came across an undocumented alien in the
parking lot at Montezuma Pass on the morning of May 6th. He said that he
intended to return to Mexico, as he'd been beaten and robbed by presumed
drug scouts the previous night, then related what had happened. He was
traveling north with a group of 20 undocumented alien when they were
stopped by two armed men. All the members of the group were robbed of
their food, water and money. The two "chonos" (hoodlums) then said that
they were going to rape a woman in the group; when several of the men
stepped forward to stop them, a fight ensued in which several men were
injured. He said that he'd been struck in the ribs by a rifle butt. The
incident took place on the Arizona Crest trail about a mile north of the
parking lot at the pass. The drug scouts warned members of the group not
to travel on this trail or they would be shot.
[Submitted by Chief
Ranger]
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (TX)
Dignitary Visits
The National Park Foundation held its spring meeting in San Antonio
this year. On May 2nd, foundation members visited the park along with
Secretary Norton and Director Mainella. Superintendent Steve Whitesell
lead the group on a tour of the park, then hosted a chuck wagon dinner
in the compound at Mission San Jose after the park closed. That same
afternoon, Attorney General Ashcroft visited Mission San Jose for about
an hour and departed just as the first group was arriving. Park
protection staff coordinated both visits with security details from the
FBI and the Park Police. There were no incidents.
[Submitted by Dan
Steed, Chief Ranger]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Situation Report - Thursday, May 8, 2003
Preparedness Level 2
Only 30 new fires were reported on Wednesday. No large fires are burning anywhere in the country.
A Type 2 team is assigned to the Columbia Response operation to search an 865-acre area near Modena, Utah.
The North Carolina Division of Forest Resources suffered a fire fighter fatality on Monday, April 28th. The victim was a 41-year-old man who had been a full time employee for the division for the past 11 years. The incident occurred after a pack test had been completed. The man was attempting the arduous level of the test and had completed 2.5 miles when labored breathing prompted him to stop. He said that he had some upper chest congestion and was coughing as a result. After a short rest, he elected to continue walking the course without the weighted pack. Approximately 15 minutes after completing the walk, he collapsed. Medical assistance was immediately provided and he was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An investigation is being conducted into the cause of the death.
Fire Danger
| State |
5/3 |
5/4 |
5/5 |
5/6 |
5/7 |
5/8 |
| Alaska |
VH |
-- |
-- |
VX |
-- |
VX |
| Arizona |
VH |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| Colorado |
-- |
VX |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| Kansas |
-- |
VX |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| Massachusetts |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
VX |
VX |
| Michigan |
VH |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
-- |
| Minnesota |
VH |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| New Mexico |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| Oklahoma |
-- |
-- |
VX |
-- |
VX |
VX |
| Texas |
-- |
-- |
VX |
-- |
VX |
VX |
| Wisconsin |
VH |
VX |
VX |
-- |
-- |
-- |
VH — Very high
EX — Extreme
VX — Very high to extreme
Fire Weather Watches and Warnings
No watches or warnings posted today.
National Resource Commitments
| Day |
5/2 |
5/3 |
5/4 |
5/5 |
5/6 |
5/7 |
5/8 |
| Crews |
11 |
64 |
65 |
67 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Engines |
37 |
28 |
24 |
20 |
24 |
22 |
6 |
| Helicopters |
7 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
7 |
1 |
| Air Tankers |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Overhead |
952 |
715 |
384 |
384 |
372 |
371 |
373 |
National Team Commitments
| State |
Type Team |
Team IC |
Incident/Fire |
Acres |
Percent Contain |
Est Full Contain |
| UT |
T2 |
Suwyn |
Columbia Response |
502 |
58% |
N/A |
Park Fire Situation
No reports today.
OPERATIONAL NOTES
United States Park Police
Police Week Activity Update
The United States Park Police, the Fraternal Order of Police, the USPP Badge and Floral Fund and National Park Service Rangers are cosponsoring an open house and reception at the Anacostia Operations Facility, located at 1900 Anacostia Drive in Anacostia Park, on Tuesday, May 13, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. (before the Candlelight Vigil). All officers, rangers , family members , and friends are welcome to attend.
[Submitted by Sergeant Scott R. Fear]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Death of Employee's Son
Ranger Bill Collup's son, Craig, was killed in a motor vehicle accident just north of the park boundary in the town of Overton on May 3rd. Bill and his family (his wife, Vicki, and surviving sons, Justin and Seth) have been stationed at Overton Beach since 1991. Prior assignments have included Petersburg, Petrified Forest, and Cottonwood Cove on Lake Mohave. Cards and condolences can be sent to the family at HC 30 Box 40-03, Overton, NV 89040. A memorial fund has been established by the park to help the family with expenses. For additional information, call Kevin Hendricks at 702-293-8963.
[Submitted by Kevin Hendricks]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.