Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Four Injured in Grand Canyon Airport Crash
On Wednesday, May 28th, park staff responded to a plane crash
immediately south of the park airport in the Kaibab National Forest. The
private, twin-engine Aero Commander crashed during takeoff from the
airport. All four people on board survived the crash and were treated
and transported to Flagstaff Medical Center by an ambulance and three
helicopters, one from the park. The incident was managed under unified
command by Coconino County SO and Grand Canyon NP; also responding were
the Forest Service, Tusayan FD, Guardian Medical Transport, and Arizona
DPS. Mike O'Neill served as the NPS IC.
[Submitted by Ken Phillips,
Acting Chief Ranger]
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Search for Off-Duty Employee; Probable Drowning
On the evening of May 29th, A.L., 21, was swimming in the
Kaweah River with other off-duty seasonals when he became caught in the
river's swift current and was swept downstream. A search was begun, but
no sign of him had yet been found at the time of the report on Friday.
Tulare County SO is heading the search, with assistance from swiftwater
rescue trained park staff. A.L. is a student at Southern University in
Louisiana.
[Submitted by Bob Wilson, Law Enforcement Specialist]
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (ND)
Arrest for Resource Damage, Assaults on Officers
Earlier this spring, someone driving a pickup truck crashed through a
locked gate in the park's North Unit, drove south into the park's
wilderness area, then turned back north again, crashing through a
section of woven wire fence. The total damage to resources and property
was placed at about $2,500. Several bison escaped from the park through
the gap in the fence and were found on Highway 85, where they could have
caused serious injuries to any motorist who hit one of them. An
investigation was conducted that resulted in charges being filed against
Robert Cox for driving into the wilderness and destroying over 200 feet
of fence and two boundary gates. Cox failed to appear in court and
became a fugitive. Efforts to apprehend him led to a two-day chase in
which Cox hit one McKenzie County deputy, putting him in the hospital
for several days, rammed two sheriff's vehicles, and wrecked the two
vehicles he drove during the chase. The U.S. attorney will file felony
charges against Cox for damaging government property and being a felon
in possession of ammunition.
[Submitted by Gary Kiramidgian, Chief
Ranger]
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ,UT)
Cliff Jumping Fatality
Park dispatch received a marine band radio call on the evening of May
29th reporting that a 29-year-old man from the rental vessel K-9
in Cha Canyon was not breathing and that CPR was in progress. Through a
three-way vessel-to-dispatch relay, dispatcher Matt Micale was able to
determine that the man had been injured in a cliff jumping accident.
Rangers and a deputy sheriff responded; Richard Moore, Dangling Rope
subdistrict ranger, was IC. Investigation revealed that Toby Jack
Thompson evidently had problems in mid-flight while jumping about 45
feet into the lake. He was immediately brought to shore and CPR was
begun. Medical personnel on a Classic Lifeguard helicopter subsequently
declared Thompson deceased. San Juan County SO is investigating.
[Submitted by Cindy Ott-Jones, Chief Ranger]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Situation Report - Monday, June 2, 2003
Preparedness Level 2
There were a total of 331 new fires over the weekend — 177 on Friday, 91 on Saturday, and 63 on Sunday. One new large fire was reported yesterday — the Bird Fire in CDF's Santa Clara Unit in California. The Tok River Fire continues to burn actively in Alaska.
Fire Danger
| State |
5/28 |
5/29 |
5/30 |
5/31 |
6/1 |
6/2 |
| Alaska |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
VX |
| Arizona |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
| California |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| Colorado |
VX |
-- |
VX |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| Minnesota |
-- |
VX |
VX |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| Nevada |
-- |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| New Mexico |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| Oklahoma |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
-- |
| Texas |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| Utah |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
-- |
VH — Very high
EX — Extreme
VX — Very high to extreme
Fire Weather Watches and Warnings
No warnings or watches have been posted for today.
National Resource Commitments
| Day |
5/28 |
5/29 |
5/30 |
5/31 |
6/1 |
6/2 |
| Crews |
30 |
50 |
68 |
64 |
39 |
46 |
| Engines |
40 |
73 |
76 |
77 |
35 |
30 |
| Helicopters |
5 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
8 |
9 |
| Air Tankers |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Overhead |
442 |
525 |
579 |
483 |
473 |
491 |
National Team Commitments
| State |
Type Team |
Team IC |
Fire |
Acres |
Percent Contain |
Est Full Contain |
| AK |
T2 |
Reed |
Tok River/State lands |
4,808 |
5% |
6/10 |
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HI)
Luhi Fire - Monday, June 2
Lava from Kilauea Volcano started the Luhi Fire, which is burning in grass, brush and rain forest. As of yesterday, the fire had burned 4,980 acres — up from 4,235 acres on Friday — and was 70% contained. Full containment is expected by tomorrow. Crews are mopping up hotspots along the perimeter. Eighty-eight firefighters and overhead are committed along with three helicopters.
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Studhorse Prescribed Fire - Thursday, May 29 (Prescribed Fire Treatment)
The Yosemite park fire staff will conduct various hazard fuel reduction projects including a series of prescribed burns in the southern section of Yosemite National Park, as well as some mechanical thinning. These burns will be ignited in small segments and are located south of Wawona on Studhorse Ridge. (full report)
On May 29th, approximately 35 acres were ignited and burned on the Studhorse Prescribed fire. It was allowed to burn through the night while monitored by park staff. On May 30th burning will continue in that area. Hikers between the Mariposa Grove and the community of Wawona are being escorted through in the burn area.
Status
Yosemite National Park services will be operating as normal.
Acreage: The proposed acreage of the projects totals 130 acres. The units will be broken down in size to minimize smoke impacts.
Estimated containment date: May 30th[Submitted by Marea Ortiz, marea_ortiz@nps.gov, (209) 372-0491]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Servicewide Training
Weekly Listing of Operations Training Opportunities
Operations Training CalendarThis calendar appears every Monday as an addendum to the Morning Report and a separate entry for InsideNPS. It is not meant to be replace the Learning Place; rather it is a quick summary of available training with links (as available) to relevant Learning Place pages. Please note:
- New entries are in bold face.Submissions for other training courses should conform to the style used here.
- Please include the URL to the web sites where readers can obtain the requisite forms and/or find out additional information about the training course. If a URL is not specifically listed, the announcement can likely be found on the Learning Place, the NPS training page found at http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/index.doc.
- Closing dates for applications are underscored.
**********************************************************************************************
June
June 3 and June 4: Section 508 Web Page Design for People with Disabilities, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO. There will be four sessions — one in the morning and one in the afternoon on each day. To register or for more details, contact Jennifer Meltz (Jennifer_L_Meltz@nbc.gov, 202-208-5481). [DOI LAN Team]
June 23 — 25: Staffing, Classification and Compensation Practitioner's Training, San Francisco, CA. Training on a variety of topics and issues and provision of state-of-the-art information and guidance to assist practitioners in their consultant and management advisory roles. On-line registration can be done at http://www.doi.gov/ppm/. For more information, contact Lisa Williams (Lisa_Williams@ios.doi.gov, 202-208-6755) or Winford Hooker (Winford_Hooker@ios.doi.gov, 202-208-7949). [DOI LAN Team]
July
July 14 — July 18: Archeological Resource Protection Training (XP-ARPTP-301), Juneau, AK. Closes on June 2nd. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
July 14 — July 25: Physical Security (PSTP-307), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on June 12th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
July 29 — August 7: Basic Law Enforcement for Supervisors (BLESTP-307), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on June 30th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
August
August 4 — August 15: Technical Investigative Equipment (TIETP-309), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on June 26th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
August 4 — August 14: Driver Instructor (DITP-302), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on June 26th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
August 4 — August 15: Defensive Tactics Instructor (DTITP-302), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on June 26th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
August 5 — August 14: White Collar Crimes (WCCTP-303), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on June 30th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
August 5 — August 8: Fundamentals of Special Park Uses, Albuquerque, NM. The course provides comprehensive guidance on all aspects of special park uses, from First Amendment issues to filming and photography to wireless telecommunications sites. Added this year is a component on temporary food services and other health and safety issues related to special park uses. NPS Management Policies, 36 CFR, and DO-53 and RM-53 will be covered in depth. NOTE: This is the only course offering this year. Closes on June 27th. Email nomination forms via Lotus Notes to Margie Fresquez or fax them to her at 505-988-6099. Fore more information, contact either Lee Dickinson in WASO (202-513-7092), or Delpha Maunders in Santa Fe (505-988-6015). [Delpha Maunders, IMRO]
August 11 — August 15: Archeological Resource Protection Training (XP-ARPTP-301), Milwaukee, WI. Closes on June 26th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
August 11 — August 22: Firearms Instructor (FITP-309), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on June 30th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
September
September 8 — September 19: Small Craft Enforcement (SCETP-301), FLETC, Glynco, GA.. Closes on August 5th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
September 8 — September 19: Physical Security (PSTP-308), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on July 28th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
September 9 — September 18: Basic Law Enforcement for Supervisors (BLESTP-308), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on July 29th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
September 9 — September 18: White Collar Crimes (WCCTP-304), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on July 30th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
September 15 — September 26: Firearms Instructor (FITP-310), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Closes on July 28th. [Wiley Golden, FLETC]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Colorado National Monument (CO)
GS-025-9 Protection Ranger
Colorado National Monument has an opening for a GS-025-9 protection ranger. Duties include patrol by vehicle and foot, EMS, SAR, wildland fire and other visitor and resource protection assignments. This is a required occupancy position. A Mission-66 style 3-bedroom house is available. Qualified candidates interested in a lateral reassignment may send an application to Colorado National Monument, Fruita, CO 81521 no later than June 13. For further information contact Ron Young, chief ranger, at 970 858-3617, ext. 312.
[Submitted by Ron Young, ron_young@nps.gov, 970-858-3617 x312]
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.