Glacier National Park
Update on Search for Missing Man
Rangers are continuing their investigation into the disappearance of
40-year-old L.K. The Michigan resident's truck was discovered
in mid-June near the Rocky Point trailhead, but L.K.'s whereabouts
remain a mystery. On Thursday, July 10th, two dog teams, each consisting
of a dog handler, a ranger and the search dog, were used to conduct a
ground search in the Rocky Point area. A grid search will be conducted
today by six rangers in the area around the trailhead where L.K.'s
truck was found. Previous searches by trained dogs and dive teams failed
to locate L.K.. In addition, rangers are continuing to interview
L.K.'s family and friends and searching his truck for additional
clues.
[Submitted by Tony Clark]
Death Valley National Park (CA)
Exposure Fatality
R.H., 80, from Rancho Palo Verde, California, was reported
overdue from hiking on the Stovepipe Wells dunes on Monday, July 7th.
Ranger/pilot Ed Forner located R.H. from the air in the dune field,
and directed a search and rescue team to his location. The rescue team
started CPR and transported R.H. from the dunes to the Stovepipe Wells
airstrip, where Mercy Air paramedics took over treatment. R.H.'s
niece, who reported him missing, was treated and released for
heat-related illness. The search and rescue team was interdivisional and
included park staff from maintenance, interpretation. resource
management and protection. The search started at 1:15 p.m., during the
hottest time of the day — the air temperature was 115 degrees at
Stovepipe Wells, with the reflective heat from the dunes over 120
degrees. Ranger Ed Derobertis was the incident commander for this
incident.
[Submitted by Nancy Wizner, Chief Ranger]
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (WA)
Special Event: Fourth of July
On July 4th, the city of Vancouver's 41st annual Fourth of July
celebration drew thousands of visitors to the park's grounds. The
day-long event began with food and craft vendors and an entertainment
stage with over ten hours of live music; it culminated with a
30-minute-long fireworks display billed as the "largest fireworks
display west of the Mississippi." The park is the preferred viewing area
for the entertainment stage and fireworks display. Park staff and more
than 35 park volunteers were involved in an array of activities, from
living history programs inside the stockade to staffing the park visitor
center. The event was managed under a unified command with Vancouver PD,
the lead agency. A six-member SET and city officers operating under a
letter of authorization for "special police" deputation within the park.
The local NBC affiliate broadcast the event live to residents of the
Pacific Northwest. There was only one minor incident during the
event.
[Submitted by Greg Shine, Chief Ranger]
Little River Canyon National Preserve (AL)
Boy Rescued After Being Swept Over Falls
On July 4th, an 11-year-old boy was wading in the shallows above
Little River Falls when he lost his footing on the wet rocks and was
carried over the 45-foot-high falls by the strong current caused by
significant rains the previous week. Rangers stabilized his injuries and
carried him out with assistance from the Fischer Rescue Squad and the
Fort Payne Fire Department. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he
was found to have a torn spleen. Advanced EMS was provided by NPS
paramedic Valerie Saferite.
[Submitted by John Bundy,
Superintendent]
Buffalo National River (AR)
Drowning at Robinson Hole
On the afternoon of July 4th, 62-year-old P.A. of Rogers,
Arkansas, drowned at a popular swimming area called the Robinson Hole
near the Woolum Campground. At the point where P.A. swam across the
river, it's about 150 feet wide and up to 15 feet deep. When P.A.
reached the other side, it was obvious that he was having problems. A
13-year-old swimmer asked P.A. if he was okay and he replied that he
was fine. Approximately five minutes later, P.A. was found floating
face down at the edge of the river. Volunteer rescue personnel who were
swimming in the same area immediately pulled the victim from the water
and began CPR. Local EMS providers arrived a few minutes later and
continued care until the P.A. was flown to North Arkansas Regional
Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The Searcy County
Sheriff's Department, the Pindall, Gilbert and Saint Joe Fire
Department, Arkansas State Patrol, and Arkansas Game & Fish also
responded.
[Submitted by Ron Parrish, District Ranger, Middle
District]
Little River Canyon National Preserve (AL)
Drowning in Little River
A 15-year-old boy drowned at the Canyon Mouth day use area while
attempting to swim across the Little River on July 6th. He'd spent the
day hiking and swimming with friends and relatives and was attempting to
cross the river when he began to struggle and disappeared. Friends and
bystanders tried to find him, but without luck. Park staff responded and
organized a search. His body was found by SCUBA divers about 90 minutes
later. Assistance was provided by the Cherokee County Rescue Squad,
Cherokee County EMS, and DeSoto State Park. Jimmy Dunn was IC.
[Submitted by John Bundy, Superintendent]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Situation Report - Friday, July 11, 2003
Preparedness Level 3
Initial attack was moderate in the Southwest on Thursday and light elsewhere. Three of the 137 newly-reported fires escaped initial attack — two in the eastern Great Basin and one in the Northwest. Another five large fires were contained.
Fire Danger
|
Day |
7/6 |
7/7 |
7/8 |
7/9 |
7/10 |
7/11 |
|
Alaska |
-- |
-- |
-- |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Arizona |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
California |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Colorado |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Hawaii |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Idaho |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Michigan |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
VX |
|
Montana |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Nevada |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
New Mexico |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Oklahoma |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Oregon |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Texas |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Utah |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
|
Washington |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
VX |
VX |
|
Wyoming |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VX |
VH — Very high
EX — Extreme
VX — Very high to extreme
Fire Weather Watches and Warnings
No watches or warnings have been posted for today.
National Resource Commitments
|
Day |
7/5 |
7/6 |
7/7 |
7/8 |
7/9 |
7/10 |
7/11 |
|
Crews |
215 |
207 |
233 |
206 |
495 |
246 |
278 |
|
Engines |
372 |
406 |
483 |
449 |
491 |
358 |
398 |
|
Helicopters |
61 |
72 |
78 |
93 |
142 |
81 |
84 |
|
Air Tankers |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Overhead |
1,119 |
1,200 |
1,371 |
1,992 |
1,648 |
2,142 |
2,416 |
National Team Commitments
New team commitments indicated in bold face.
|
State |
Type Team |
Team IC |
Fire/Location |
Acres |
Percent Contain |
Est Full Contain |
|
AZ |
T1 |
Oltrogge |
Aspen Fire Coronado NF |
84,500 |
75% |
UNK |
|
WA |
T1 |
Lohrey |
Fawn Peak/Sweet Grass Fire Okanogan/Wenatchee NF |
2,018 |
10% |
UNK |
|
CA |
T2 |
Rios |
Woodlot Fire Yosemite National Park |
458 |
80% |
7/11 |
|
NM |
T2 |
Raley |
Encebado Fire Taos Northern Pueblo |
5,011 |
20% |
UNK |
|
WA |
T2 |
Johnson |
Rattlesnake Canyon Colville Agency |
10,600 |
60% |
7/13 |
|
OR |
T2 |
Morcom |
Link Fire Deschutes NF |
2,100 |
50% |
UNK |
|
CO |
T2 |
Blume |
Brush Mountain Fire Grand Junction County |
3,100 |
15% |
7/16 |
|
UT |
T2 |
Brunner |
Bulldog Fire Richfield FO, BLM |
7,500 |
5% |
7/20 |
|
NM |
FUM |
Duncan |
Dry Lake Complex Gila NF |
77,200 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
AZ |
FUM |
Hiatt |
Powell Fire Grand Canyon NP |
3,606 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
UT |
FUM |
Bonefeld |
Woodenshoe Fire Manti-LaSal NF |
2,710 |
90% |
UNK |
|
CO |
FUM |
Clark |
Bear Creek Fire San Juan NF |
2,500 |
N/A |
N/A |
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Woodlot Fire Update
The following update on the fire was prepared on Thursday morning:
The Woodlot Fire, located in El Portal, was reported in the late afternoon of Tuesday July 8th. The fire started in the woodlot on Middle Road in the El Portal Administrative Site of Yosemite National Park. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The 395-acre fire is 50% contained. Full containment is expected by the morning of July 12th.
No structures have been damaged or destroyed. Two minor knee injuries to firefighters have been reported.
The South Central Sierra Incident Management Team under the command of Tom Rios along with the Yosemite National Park and the Stanislaus National Forest are coordinating the suppression effort. The Mariposa County Sheriff's Department, Mariposa County Fire Department and the California Highway Patrol are also providing assistance.
The fire is burning in chaparral, grey pine, and grass in steep difficult terrain. Crews made good progress toward containment last night and minimal fire activity was observed.
Over 700 firefighters and support staff are assigned to the fire. Firefighting aircraft will be available today as needed. Efforts to complete remaining open fire line and extinguish burning material within the fire boundary will continue today. Today's weather concern includes high temperature and low humidity.
For further fire information please call: (209) 966-6125/966-6185
[Submitted by Marea Ortiz , 209-372-0491]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Denali National Park & Preserve (AK)
Volunteers Sought for Park Kennels
The park is seeking two highly-motivated people to fill volunteer positions in the kennels for the coming winter. Volunteers will be trained in sled dog care, dog training, sled driving, backcountry travel and navigation, winter camping and winter wilderness survival skills. Applicants need to have some backcountry experience, be physically fit, and be able and willing to perform physically demanding work in often extreme winter conditions. A good work ethic and a self-reliant attitude are musts. Applicants must be able to work independently, have good decision-making skills, and be safety conscious. Winter recreation skills such as skiing, snowshoeing and winter camping are highly desirable. Good communication skills and the ability to work well with others is also essential. Volunteers are provided with housing and paid $10 per day. Some cold weather gear will be provided. Forty hour work weeks are a minimum, with longer hours while on patrol. Patrols last from a day to a month. Applications will be accepted between June 27th and July 18th. Send applications to Karen Fortier, Denali National Park Kennels, PO Box 9, Denali Park, AK 99755. For more info, call her at 907-683-9586.
[Submitted by Karen Fortier, Denali National Park Kennels, 907-683-9586]
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.