Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Additional Information on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Further details have been received regarding the monoxide poisoning
of a family of three on their boat in Rufus Cove last Saturday. The
mother and father had slept in the vessel's cabin with the generator
running and the air conditioning on. Their seven-year-old son slept on
the beach, but entered the cabin sometime around dawn. All three were
found in mid-morning. When admitted to the hospital, the adults had
carboxyhemglobin levels of 24% and 20%; the boy had a level of 7%. The
boy and one of his parents have recovered and are now okay; the other is
still unconscious and in critical condition. When investigated in detail
by Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW) wardens well after the cabin door
was opened and the victims rescued, the carbon monoxide levels were at
80.8 parts per million (ppm), with a peak reading of 250 ppm in one area
of the cabin (the allowable maximum exposure level as determined by both
OSHA and EPA is 35 ppm). The lowest levels were found near the floor,
where the boy was located. The generator had been installed by the
manufacturer and the vessel had reportedly been serviced recently. The
incident is under investigation by NDOW and the Coast Guard. The vessel
manufacturer has also dispatched a four-person team to
investigate.
[Submitted by Kevin Hendricks, Assistant Chief
Ranger]
Rocky Mountain National Park (CO)
Breach in Grand Ditch Causes Flooding, Serious Erosion
On the morning of Friday, May 30th, the Water Supply and Storage
Company notified the park that a portion of the Grand Ditch — a
private irrigation waterway — had breached about two miles south of
La Poudre Pass. The Grand Ditch is located at an altitude of 10,175
feet. The cause of the breach is unknown, but it is believed that heavy
snowmelt and runoff caused a portion of the mountain to slide in to the
Ditch, which created a temporary dam. Water then flowed against the dam
and soon overtopped the Ditch, causing about 100 feet of the Ditch and
access road to plunge 1,000 feet to the valley below. It's estimated
that about 150 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water from the Ditch is
currently emptying through the breach into the Colorado River.
Consequently, a large portion of the mountainside below the Ditch has
been washed to the valley floor by the erosive power of water, rock, mud
and vegetation. The extent of the damages to the park's cultural and
natural resources has yet to be determined. There has been no reported
injury or loss of life caused by this incident. Due to already high
water levels in the Colorado River, coupled with the breach, trails on
the west side of the park, west of Route 34, have been closed since
Friday. Gravel roads, footbridges, and other trail structures have most
likely been seriously damaged along the drainage. An assessment of the
damage is ongoing. The Grand Ditch was built in the late 1800s. The
Ditch is 14 miles long, 20 feet wide and six feet deep and is owned by
the Water Supply and Storage Company. Carved into the slopes of the
Never Summer Mountains, the Grand Ditch captures snowmelt and diverts it
to Long Draw Reservoir. From there, the water flows into the Cache La
Poudre River. At a spot just north of Fort Collins, shareholder
agricultural interests from the eastern plains draw water. In 1986, the
City of Thornton purchased rights to a significant portion of the water
for future municipal purposes. When full, the ditch is capable of
carrying in excess of 350 cfs.
[Submitted by Kyle Patterson,
PIO]
Denali National Park & Preserve (AK)
High Altitude Rescue on Messner Couloir
Three mountaineers were rescued Wednesday afternoon
from above 19,000 feet on Mt. McKinley. The climbers departed the
14,200-foot camp at 4 a.m., Tuesday, June 3rd, to climb the Messner
Couloir. At 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, ranger staff at the 14,200-foot
camp received a radio transmission from the threesome, who were located
at approximately 19,100-feet on the route. One of the climbers, C.L.,
28, from Longmont, Colorado, was suffering from hypothermia,
dehydration, and altitude sickness. C.L.'s partners, P.H. and
J.M., both from the Czech Republic, were weakened by the long cold
night at high altitude. Rescue operations involved three consecutive
short-hauls with the NPS-contracted high altitude Lama helicopter. At
additional risk due to the high elevation, pilot Jim Hood flew to the
site and hovered overhead while C.L., the most critical patient,
secured himself in the rescue basket. Hanging below the helicopter,
C.L. was flown from 19,100-feet to the Kahiltna base camp at 7,200
feet. Hood then returned to the Messner Couloir two more times to
evacuate the other climbers. A LifeGuard Air Ambulance transported C.L.
from the base camp to Providence Hospital in Anchorage. The other two
climbers were flown to Talkeetna via air taxi. A final leg of the rescue
mission involved an unrelated incident, with the Lama transporting a
climber with an injured hip from the 14,200-foot ranger camp to base
camp. Skies were clear at the time of the helicopter rescue, with light
winds. This is the second helicopter operation of the season involving
the rescue basket, the first occurring at 15,200-feet on the West Rib in
late May. Since 1998, the Lama, which the NPS contracts each season with
Evergreen Helicopters, has rescued eight climbers from above the
19,000-foot level using the short-haul method.
[Submitted by Maureen
McLaughlin]
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Climbing Fatality on Lower Cathedral Rock
On the morning of Saturday, May 31st, C.H., 25, of
Breckenridge, Colorado, died while climbing the Overhang Bypass route on
Lower Cathedral Rock in Yosemite Valley. Climbing a considerable
distance above his last protection, C.H. took a leader fall of at
least 80 feet and was caught by his partner, S.H. C.H.
ended up around a corner from S.H. and did not respond to her yells.
Minutes after the fall another climber, B.J., happened upon
S.H. while free soloing the same route. B.J. climbed up to a point
on the route where he could see C.H. hanging more than 40 feet below.
B.J. called out to C.H. and encouraged him to try to climb back up.
C.H. could not climb and appeared disoriented to B.J.. C.H. also
said that he could not see. Without gear to descend to C.H., B.J.
down-climbed the route and then drove to the Valley SAR cache, where he
reported the incident at 12:15 p.m. SAR team members responded and a
paramedic was with C.H. by 1:57 p.m. Medical control at the Yosemite
Medical Clinic pronounced C.H. dead via the radio at 2:12 p.m.
C.H.'s body was lowered about 300 feet to a ledge. From there he was
transported by long line under the park helicopter to the Crane Flat
Helibase. C.H. received severe trauma to his head in the fall. He was
not wearing a helmet.
[Submitted by Jack Hoeflich, IC]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Situation Report - Friday, June 6, 2003
Preparedness Level 2
There were 57 new fires reported on Thursday. Six large fires are reported nationwide, none of which is causing any significant problems.
Fire Danger
| State |
6/1 |
6/2 |
6/3 |
6/4 |
6/5 |
6/6 |
| Alaska |
-- |
VX |
-- |
VX |
-- |
VX |
| Arizona |
VX |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| California |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
-- |
| Colorado |
-- |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| Nevada |
VX |
VX |
VX |
-- |
VX |
VX |
| New Mexico |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| Oklahoma |
-- |
-- |
-- |
VX |
-- |
VX |
| Texas |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
| Utah |
-- |
-- |
VX |
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 |
6/1 |
6/2 |
6/3 |
6/4 |
6/5 |
6/6 |
| Crews |
39 |
46 |
49 |
43 |
43 |
56 |
| Engines |
35 |
30 |
49 |
34 |
33 |
56 |
| Helicopters |
8 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
18 |
| Air Tankers |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Overhead |
473 |
491 |
522 |
190 |
587 |
560 |
National Team Commitments
| State |
Type Team |
Team IC |
Fire |
Acres |
Percent Contain |
Est Full Contain |
| AK |
T2 |
Reed |
Tok River/State lands |
5,995 |
80% |
6/8 |
| NM |
FUM |
Rath |
Dry Lakes Cx/Gila NF |
3,200 |
0% |
UNK |
Everglades National Park (FL)
Anhinga Trail Prescribed Fire (Prescribed Fire Treatment)
The Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm Visitor Center in Everglades NP is one of the most frequently visited sites in the Park. It is the "premier" boardwalk trail that extends over Taylor Slough and is recognized internationally as a place for outstanding bird, alligator and other wildlife viewing opportunities. The boardwalk extends over sawgrass marsh that is a fire maintained landscape, but has been deprived of fire for more than a decade. Sawgrass fuels in an around the boardwalk exceeded seven feet in height. The interior area inside the boardwalk has become overgrown and shrubby. Due to high visitation rates, variety and timing of various nesting wildlife species and the high dollar values at risk, this is a difficult place to regularly burn. (full report)
Status
The boardwalk portions of the trail (approximately 2/3 of the trail) were closed to the public during initial implementation. Within 1 1/2 hours we opened 1/2 of the boardwalk section and after 3 hours had the entire trail re-opened to the public
Acreage: 6
Resources Committed: Prescribed Burn Boss, Fire Monitor, 2 Squads of firefighters, 1 type 6 engine w/ crew, 1 Information Officer
Estimated containment date: Sept 2003 if herbicide application done and additional areas burned[Submitted by Bob Panko, bob_panko@nps.gov, 305-242-7852]
Everglades National Park (FL)
Pinelands Block J Fire (Prescribed Fire Treatment)
Hazard fuel reduction project in Block J of Pinelands of Everglades National Park. The project also is a continuing series of burns to restore the natural condition of the Pinelands in Everglades, one of the most rare and endangered of Everglades habitats. This treatment was 1/2 of the entire project. The southern half of this block has burned well over the past few years, but the northern half has been difficult to burn in the summer due to standing water levels and unnaturally high levels of brush in the pine understory. This burn will allow us to burn the northern half of the block next year under much drier conditions to achieve desirable results for hazard fuel reduction and restoration. (full report)
Status
No closures related to this project
Acreage: 435
Resources Committed: Prescribed Burn Boss, Fire Monitor, Ignition & Holding Specialist,2 Type 6 engines with crews, 1 squad of firefighter, light helicopter with pilot, Helicopter Manager, Aerial Ignition Specialist, PLDO Operator, PLDO (ping-pong) machine
Estimated containment date: May 2004[Submitted by Bob Panko - FMO, bob_panko@nps.gov, 305-242-7852]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Fire and Aviation Management
Firefighter Travel Safety Advisory
Newly instituted airport security screening procedures will affect wildland firefighters this fire season. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulates the security screening of all passengers traveling on commercial and charter aircraft. The TSA has implemented security screening regulations and procedures that will affect firefighters. Airlines have also instituted baggage requirements that will affect travelers. All personnel should be aware of the following regulations and procedures. The TSA has coordinated with the Forest Service in developing some screening procedures that will help save time at security checkpoints, ease processing for all wildland firefighters, and avoid delays in airline departures.
Current TSA regulations prevent bringing many items on the plane in carryon bags, but those same items can be carried in checked baggage. Such items include knives or razors of any kind, scissors, axes, handtools, and power tools such as chain saws or drills.
Some items that are not permitted on commercial or charter aircraft, either in carryon bags or in checked baggage, include fusees, strike-anywhere matches, lighter fluid, and gasoline. The Department of Transportation has granted interagency exemptions for firefighters to carry some hazardous materials on aircraft under the operational control of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, or the Department of Interior. On such aircraft, firefighters could carry such items as fusees, bear-repellent spray and gasoline in chain saws, even though those items could NOT be carried on a commercial or charter aircraft.
The TSA web site (http://www.tsa.gov) lists current information on prohibited and permitted items through the "Travelers and Consumers" link.
The Forest Service has provided training information to the TSA, so that security screeners will be familiar with some of the equipment wildland firefighters carry when traveling to fires. Security screeners should be familiar with basic equipment carried by firefighters, including fire shelters.
The TSA has asked that firefighters carrying fire shelters keep the shelter in either the yellow or blue fire shelter carrying case, or within the backpack pouch specifically designed to hold a fire shelter. This practice should help screeners during processing and decrease the likelihood that they could damage the fire shelter during the security inspection.
Security screeners may also ask firefighters to verify their government identification or confirm resource orders sending them to the fire, when these materials are available. Having these documents readily available should help ensure efficient security screening.
The last item of concern is the limitation on checked baggage imposed by individual airlines. Some airlines have instituted additional charges for bags weighing more than 50 pounds and for bags with a combined length, width, and height of more than 62 inches. Many full red bags would be over either the weight or the size limit. The baggage fees for bags that are too heavy or too big could be between $25 and $50 per bag. Airlines may demand payment at the gate, whether by government or personal credit card. Since these additional charges are imposed by individual airlines, the Forest Service has not been able to secure a waiver, clearance, or exemption of these requirements. If such an arrangement is reached, an additional advisory will be issued.
According to the National Interagency Mobilization Guide, all personnel traveling to fires, with the exception of smokejumpers, rappellers, and helicopter managers, are allowed to carry one frameless, soft pack not to exceed 45 pounds, and web gear or a briefcase (not both), not to exceed 20 pounds. If these limitations are followed, the 50-pound weight restriction will not be a problem. Smokejumpers, rappellers, and helicopter managers have higher baggage weight limits.
If the weight or size restrictions are a concern, you may want to carry a small duffel bag so you can repack your red bag before traveling. You may be able to meet the baggage requirements by shifting some items from your red bag to a second bag for the flight.
[Submitted by Al King, al_king@nps.gov, 208-387-5967]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Passing of Retired Ranger Bud Inman
Alsen E. "Bud" Inman, former assistant chief ranger at Lake Mead NRA, succumbed to leukemia on June 4th.
The following tribute was prepared by Dale Antonich, the park's current chief ranger: "Bud was a ranger's ranger and served this agency with pride for many years. His work has been remembered by many and his legacy carries on. He was one of the original SET leaders in the Pacific West, helped to define law enforcement in this agency, and worked to move the ranger program forward in all areas from uniforms to ranger duties. He loved fire, law enforcement, EMS, SAR, and all that made up a good well-rounded ranger. To all this, my hat is off to Bud and my heart goes out to his family, his wife Katie, who he loved and adored very much, and all his friends in the NPS now and retired."
Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 13th, at Palm Mortuary in Henderson, Nevada. Katie is asking that donations be made in lieu of flower so the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Donations may be mailed to Katrina Carlson at 2027 B. Castillo, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
There will be services for Bud in Mansfield, Texans and flowers sent there may be sent to: Blessing Funeral Home, 401 Elm Street, Mansfield, TX. Phone: 817-473-1555
Katie's address in Texas is 2105 Chrisman Trail, Mansfield, TX 76063.
[Submitted by Dale Antonich, 702-293-8908]
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.