NOTICES

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Editor's Desk
Technical Problem

This morning, those of you who get the automated direct mailing of the Morning Report received a message saying "Connection Failure." Actually, you received it twice, because the system failed both times I tried to transmit the report. That problem has been rectified, and today's edition follows.
[Submitted by Bill Halainen]

INCIDENTS

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Yosemite National Park (CA)
Rock Fall Closes Trail, Injures Three

A significant rockfall occurred in the park around noon on July 17th. The rocks fell from the Panorama Cliffs and came down on the John Muir Trail at a point roughly six switchbacks above the John Muir Trail/Mist Trail junction near the Vernal Fall footbridge. At least three visitors were injured in the rockfall — a 33-year-old man suffered a head injury, a 30-year-old woman suffered a leg fracture, and a 21-month-old child sustained unknown injuries. The trail was closed. At the time of the report, park staff were assessing the area to determine the extent of the rockfall, the amount of damage to the trail, and the danger of further falls.
[Submitted by Public Affairs]

Yosemite National Park (CA)
Climber Killed When Rappel Anchor Fails

Tuolumne rangers received a cell phone call on the afternoon of July 2nd, reporting that a climber had fallen on the West Pillar of Eichorn Pinnacle route on Cathedral Peak. M.L., 48, of Tahoe City, California, was climbing with three other friends. One of the group was having trouble and they all decided to rappel off the mountain. A rappel was rigged from an existing anchor, which consisted of webbing and cord that was evidently threaded behind a constriction in a finger-width crack. The lead climber rappelled down 25 feet to M.L.'s position. M.L. then rappelled from there. When he was 25 feet down, the rappel anchor failed and M.L. fell approximately 230 feet to the base of the route, sustaining mortal injuries. The rappel anchor was found intact on the ground with the rappel rope still attached. The climber who rigged the rappel told rangers that he had evaluated the anchor by tugging on it several times, but did not thoroughly inspect it visually. One of other climbers ran down the trail to the Tioga Road and reported the incident to rangers via cell phone. Rangers responded to the accident scene in the park helicopter and on foot to investigate and recover M.L.'s body. Just before dusk, the body was flown off the peak by long line. [George Paiva, SAR Coordinator, Tuolumne

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Sex Crime Arrest

On the morning of July 6th, a seven-year-old boy reported that a male stranger molested him on a trail near the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park. The boy immediately reported the incident to his family; within a couple of minutes after they began searching the immediate area, the boy pointed out his assailant to his family. Family members detained the man and reported the incident to park fire personnel who happened to be in the area. No witnesses to the alleged incident were located. The suspect, a 66-year-old man who recently arrived in the country from the Republic of the Philippines, invoked his right to an attorney. Rangers Pete Webster and Chris Waldschmidt conducted the preliminary investigation, NPS and FBI special agents are continuing the investigation.
[Submitted by Bob Wilson, Law Enforcement Specialist]

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (TX)
Special Event: Visit By President Of Spain

On July 13th, the president of Spain, Jose Aznar, visited Mission San Jose, where he was greeted by superintendent Stephen Whitesell and other dignitaries. Security was coordinated by the Secret Service, Spanish security officers and park protection staff. A scheduled 20-minute visit was expanded when the president suddenly decided that he wanted to attend Mass in the church. The park was not closed during the visit and there were no incidents.
[Submitted by Dan Steed, Chief Ranger]

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ,UT)
Drowning In Halls Creek Bay

An emergency call came into park dispatch via marine band radio on the evening of July 10th, reporting that a three-year-old boy was missing in the Halls Creek Bay area. The boy was with a large houseboat group and had last been seen on the shore. He was not wearing a life jacket. Acting Uplake District DR Steve Luckesen organized an air, land and water search, Park underwater recovery team members Eric Smith and Laurie Axelsen found the boy's body in four feet of water alongside the houseboat. The 30 people in the group were having a reunion. They included the members of several families, and about two-thirds of them were children.
[Submitted by Cindy Ott-Jones, Chief Ranger]

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ,UT)
Rollover Accident With Two Fatalities

A one-car rollover accident occurred on Highway 89 near the Lone Rock Beach access road on the afternoon of July 15th. Park visitors reported the accident to fee collectors at Lone Rock. According to witnesses, a tire blew on the car, causing it to roll over, then burst into flames. Both occupants were killed. Rangers, Wahweap Engine 1, and local fire departments responded. The Utah Highway Patrol is investigating.
[Submitted by Cindy Ott-Jones, Chief Ranger]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

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National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Situation Report - Monday, July 21, 2003

Preparedness Level 4

The preparedness level has gone up one step. Preparedness Level 4 goes into effect when the following conditions are met: Two or more geographic areas experiencing incidents requiring Type I teams. Competition exists for resources between geographic areas. Either 425 crews or five Type I teams are committed nationally.

A total of 750 new fires were reported over the past three days — 178 on Friday, 250 on Saturday, and 322 on Sunday. Initial attack yesterday was heavy in southern California in the Southwest, moderate in the Great Basin, Northwest and Rockies, and light elsewhere. Nine new large fires were reported; six other large fires were contained.

Fire Danger

Day	7/16	7/17	7/18	7/19	7/20	7/21
Alaska	VX	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
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	VX	VX	VX	VX
Wyoming	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX	VX

VH — Very high
EX — Extreme
VX — Very high to extreme

Fire Weather Watches and Warnings

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH has been issued for central Oregon for this afternoon.

National Resource Commitments

Day	7/15	7/16	7/17	7/18	7/19	7/20	7/21
Crews	293	365	406	381	394	449	502
Engines	457	507	608	745	801	814	1,034
Helicopters	101	129	127	103	142	155	176
Air Tankers	2	3	3	1	3	3	2
Overhead	2,598	2,885	3,126	3,080	3,050	3,212	2,952

National Team Commitments

New team commitments or changes in teams are indicated in bold face.

State	Type Team	Team IC	Fire/Location	Acres	Percent Contain	Est Full Contain
AZ	T1	Humphrey	Kinishba Fire Fort Apache Agency	22,550	65%	UNK
WA	T1	Lohrey	Fawn Peak Complex Okanogan-Wenatchee NF	48,156	35%	UNK
CA	CDF T1	Henson	Parkhill Fire San Luis Obispo	640	10%	7/22
AZ	T2	Rios	Blue River Complex Apache-Sitgreaves NF	18,632	60%	UNK
CO	T2	Saleen	JB Fire West Slope Center, BLM	850	25%	7/23
CO	T2	Perkins	Bolt Fire Southern Ute Reservation	1,533	25%	7/27
MT	T2	Sandman	Wedge Canyon Fire Flathead NF	2,500	0%	UNK
MT	T2	Chrisman	Hidden Lake Fire Beaverhead/Deerlodge NF	450	0%	UNK
ID	T2	Benes	Slims Fire Nez Perce NF	400	0%	UNK
MT	T2	Gray	Missouri Breaks Complex Miles City FO, BLM	62,500	10%	7/24
WY	T2	--	Big Spring Fire Casper FO, BLM	700	2%	7/28
WY	T2	Domanski	Deep Lake Fire Shoshone NF	5,985	15%	UNK
WA	ST	Jennings/ Perry	McGinnis Flats Fire Colville Agency	1,458	40%	7/24
CO	T2	Sczepanik	Balcony House Complex Mesa Verde NP	2,600	10%	7/24
CO	T2	Blume	Brush Mountain Fire Grand Junction County	5,292	100%	CND
UT	T2	Brunner	Bulldog Fire Richfield FO, BLM	31,728	60%	UNK
WY	T2	Broyles	East Table Fire Bridger-Teton NF	3,595	75%	7/22
ID	T2	Kechter	Blackwall Fire Salmon-Challis NF	2,242	10%	UNK
ID	T2	Van Bruggen	Tobias Fire Salmon-Challis NF	14,500	85%	7/22
OR	T2 ST	Gardner Labhart	Clark Fire Willamette NF	2,100	10%	UNK
NM	T2	Philbin	Molina Complex Santa Fe NF	7,240	60%	7/26
NM	T2	Bateman	Spruce Complex Gila NF	8,200	0%	UNK
WY	T2	Mullenix	Gramm Complex Medicine Bow NF	920	65%	7/23
NM	FUM	Rath	Dry Lake Complex Gila NF	93,500	N/A	N/A
NM	FUM	Rath	Turnbo Fire Gila NF	17,000	NR	UNK
CO	FUM	Clark	Bear Creek Fire San Juan NF	1,869	N/A	N/A

Fire and Aviation Management
NPS Fire Summary - Monday, July 21, 2003

Mesa Verde NP (CO) — The park will open this morning for regularly scheduled tours of Balcony House, Cliff Palace and Long House. Due to continued fire danger, trails on Chapin Mesa and at Morefield Campground will be closed. There will be excellent views of the fire from the veranda of the Far View Visitor Center and at Park Point. The main emphasis for firefighting resources is the 2,230-acre Moccasin Fire. This fire is still burning actively, but the southern perimeter is holding and the northeastern sections are heading into previously burned areas. Hand crews continue to build fire lines and helicopters will be dropping water and retardant on the fires. Two of the smaller fires — the six-acre Balcony House Fire and the twelve-acre Park Fire — are 100% contained. This will be the last report on these two fires.

Yellowstone NP (MT/WY/ID) — The park reports suppression, patrol and/or monitoring of four fires:

• Pumice Fire — Smokejumpers continue mop-up and bone-piling on the four-acre fire. The fire was declared contained at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
• Amethyst Fire — The fire was mapped via helicopter and GPS — the size is now placed at 298 acres. It was 45% contained as of yesterday, which was another very productive day for firefighters. The fire did not grow at all on Sunday.
• Arnica Fire — The tenth-of-an-acre fire was contained at the end of the shift on Saturday night and was flown with PALM IR yesterday. Neither heat nor smoke were detected. The fire will be patrolled for a few more days.
• Fan Fire — The three-acre fire was flown yesterday with the PALM IR. One small hot sport was detected in the middle of the fire, but poses no threat for escape.

Glacier NP (MT) — The park is dealing with five fires:

• Hardhat Fire — The fire has burned a tenth of an acre and is being managed with a control strategy. The fire was detected, flown and sized-up late on Saturday afternoon and attacked at 9 a.m. yesterday morning. The fire was very inactive on Saturday, with no visible flames, little to no smoke, and no apparent movement.
• Edwards Peak Fire — The fire, also a tenth of an acre, is being managed with a modified suppression strategy (confinement). It is in very rugged terrain, with no nearby resources at risk. This will be the last report on this fire.
• Wolf Gun Fire — The fire has burned 410 acres and is being managed with a modified suppression strategy (confinement) due to firefighter safety, terrain, costs, low risk, etc. This fire is surrounded by lands burned in the Moose Fire (2001) and five other fires (1996-2000). This fire was active on Saturday afternoon, with isolated torching, short distance spotting, and short uphill runs. The fire has not crossed Anaconda Creek to the south.
• Paul Bunyan Fire — This 300-acre fire is being managed with a modified suppression strategy (confinement) using natural barriers and lands burned in numerous recent fires (Moose, Howling, 1999, Anaconda). The fire was active on Saturday afternoon, with observers reporting isolated torching, short range spotting, and short uphill runs. The fire has burned to the divide (7,400 feet) between the Dutch Creek drainage and the Camas Creek drainage and is largely fuel-limited.
• Trapper Fire — The fire has burned 185 acres. It is being managed with a modified suppression strategy (confinement), using adjacent previous burns (the Kootenai Complex and Anaconda Fire, both 1998), natural barriers, and fuel type changes. The fire was very active on Saturday, displaying isolated torching and short range spotting. The fire is about a mile south of Trapper Creek.

Zion NP (UT) — The Timber Top Complex is located in the Kolob Canyons section of the park, with one 15-acre fire burning on Timber Top Mountain and a ten-acre fire on nearby Nagunt Mesa. Because these fires are located on isolated mesa tops, they are being managed as wildland fire use fires. The fires continue to burn actively in the afternoon. Smoke is visible due to the location (high above everything). The area around Zion continues to report lightning strikes, with five new fires yesterday and some initial attack with air tankers.

Bryce Canyon NP (UT) — The park reported one new fire on Saturday. It burned two-tenths of an acre before being controlled yesterday.

Grand Canyon NP (AZ) — The park reports four fires:

• Basin Fire — A half acre in size, it is being managed for wildland fire uses. It received two inches of hail yesterday.
• Emma Fire — The fire burned two acres before being suppressed.
• Range Fire — The fire was suppressed at a tenth of an acre.
• Grand View Fire — Ditto to above.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison NM (CO) — The 14-acre Poison Fire is being managed with three BLM Type 6 engines. There was no report on its status on Sunday.

Dinosaur NM (CO) — A lightning fire started in the housing area late on Saturday. It burned a tenth of an acre, but is now out.

Yosemite NP (CA) — All park trails and facilities are open. The park reports four active wildland fire use fires (the first four below) and four suppression fires (the second four below):

• T16 Fire — This fire is located a mile north of the Tioga Road on the west side of Yosemite Creek. Ignited by lightning on July 18th, it is called the "T16" fire because it is visible from the T16 road marker on Tioga Road. It was last reported smoldering in sparse fuels and is currently less than a quarter acre in size. There's low potential for growth of the fire uphill due to lack of continuous fuels, but it could spread downhill.
• Snow Fire — The fire is near Olmstead Point between the Tioga Road and Yosemite Valley and has burned less than an acre.
• Cascade Fire — The fire is located just east of the Dance Floor Fire (below), south of Tamarack Campground and north of Highway 120. It has burned less than an acre.
• Blue Jay Fire — Located just east of the Cascade Fire, it has burned less than an acre.
• Crescent Fire — The quarter-acre fire is near Grouse and Crescent Lakes at the south end of the park. It started on Friday and was suppressed because it was 200 feet outside of the fire use zone. The fire was contained on Saturday, and full control was expected yesterday.
• Dome Fire — The half-acre fire is located just east of the Wawona Dome in steep, brushy terrain. It was started by lightning on Friday and contained Saturday. Full control was expected yesterday.
• Alder Fire — the fire, located east of Alder Creek and south of Empire Meadow near Deer Camp, has burned a half-acre in timber and duff. Full control was expected yesterday.

Dance Floor Fire — The fire is near Devil's Dance Floor, south of Tamarack Campground and north of Highway 120. It was contained at a half-acre on Sunday. Full control is expected by Tuesday. The fire is burning in brush and timer inside the lines of the 1990 Arch Rock Fire.

Zion National Park (UT)
Timber Top Fire Use Complex (Wildland Fire,Wildland Fire Use)

A series of lightning-ignited wildland fires are burning in mixed brush on isolated mesa tops (Research Natural Areas)in the northern section of the park. Due to their location, they are being managed as FIRE USE FIRES. A small section of handline was completed today on the Timber Top Fire to protect a radio repeater on the mountain. They are being monitored from the ground and air by park personnel. (full report)
Status
The LaVerkin Creek Trail is closed until further notice.
Acreage: 15-acres total
Resources Committed: 7-10 personnel and air support for recon.
Estimated containment date: July 23, 2003[Submitted by David Eaker, david_eaker@nps.gov, 435-772-7811]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

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Servicewide Training
Weekly Listing of Operations Training Opportunities

Operations Training Calendar

This 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 and revised 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.

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August

August 6 — August 7: Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations, Presidio of San Francisco, CA. The course is designed to train participants in how to respond defensively to a hazardous materials release. Topics include definition of hazardous materials, prevention of spread and exposure, and protection of people, the environment, and property in the immediate vicinity. Please register as soon as possible due to limited class size. For further information, contact Tom Hingsbergen at 415-561-4223 or via email. [Matt Kolbassa, Presidio FD]

September

September 8 — September 12: High Angle Rope Rescue, New River Gorge NR, WV. This class is designed for the beginner and intermediate rescue technician and is the same class that was originally scheduled for May but which had to be cancelled due to the ongoing detail assignments. It will focus on a solid basic foundation and extend into raising and lowering victims. Climbing experience is not required. However, students will be spending time hanging on a fixed line in an exposed environment. Camping and showers will be provided. Everyone is encouraged to camp with the group at the Burnwood Ranger Station. All students should bring their own rescue gear, including harness, helmet, carabiners, and rappel/ascending device. A complete equipment list will be provided. Efforts will be made to arrange an Upper Gauley River trip on Saturday, September 13th, for all those students who would like the unique experience of rafting that river. Please respond by email to the following course coordinators if you would like to attend. rob_turan@nps.gov, or david_finch@nps.gov. [Gary Hartley, NERI]

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]

October

No listings.

November

November 3 — November 7: Producing NPS Publications, Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston NHP, MA. This 32-hour, hands-on course will give participants the basic knowledge and skills to design and produce publications, including site bulletins, newspapers, posters and other graphics. It will incorporate the new NPS graphic design standards. Subjects will include design principles, layout, typography, image preparation, maps, printing prep, and working with printing companies, but will not cover writing and editing. For further information and nominations forms, contact Tom Haraden at Zion NP. Applications must be submitted by August 22nd. [Deborah Burnett]

PARKS AND PEOPLE

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Padre Island National Seashore (TX)
GS-9 Commissioned Ranger

The park is currently considering applicants for a non-competitive reassignment for a permanent full time GS-9 commissioned ranger. Responsibilities include a wide range of visitor and resource protection duties performed on a 72-mile long barrier island. The person selected will play an important role in developing programs to curb poaching, address illegal commercial fishing in park waters, and deter a significant volume of illegal immigrant and drug smuggling through the park. She/he will also perform emergency medical services, conduct boat operations, be involved in search and rescue activities, and have wildland fire suppression duties. The city of Corpus Christi is 18 miles away and offers a full range of educational, medical, and shopping amenities. The position has no required occupancy, thereby providing an opportunity to buy an affordable home in a wonderful sub-tropical coastal setting. The announcement closes on August 12th. To apply, send an SF-171 or OF-612 and an SF-50 showing competitive status, series, and grade to human resource specialist Jeanie Goff at Padre Island National Seashore. For further information, contact the chief ranger's office at 361-949-8173 x 237.
[Submitted by Randy Larson, Chief Ranger]

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.