East Coast Areas
Preparations for Hurricane Accelerate
Preparations continue along the East Coast for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Isabel. Reports received as of this morning follow, from south to north:
- Cape Lookout NS — The park implemented its hurricane emergency plan in preparedness for Hurricane Isabel yesterday and closed as of 4 p.m. All concession operations and incidental business permittees are in the process of shutting down. Vehicle ferries are only transporting vehicles off the park. Staff will be dismissed at noon today to allow time to secure personal property and evacuate. Chief ranger Wouter Ketel is serving as IC. Key members of the management team are in the process of setting up a command center in a secure off-site location.
- Cape Hatteras NS — The park activated its hurricane plan yesterday. Park campgrounds will be closed by this morning at 9 a.m. and all other public park buildings will be closed by this afternoon at 4 p.m. The objective of the IMT managing the park's response to the hurricane is to have everyone evacuated from the Outer Banks by tomorrow morning at the latest.
- Colonial NHP — The park's management team has met and is putting Colonial's hurricane plan into effect. Maintenance staff are securing the park's communication center and other buildings. The curatorial staff is making arrangements to protect the numerous artifacts in the park's collection. Management team will meet again today as more information about the storm's project path is received.
- George Washington Memorial Parkway — Park staff are working on the evacuation of the Belle Haven Marina on the Potomac River. It is by far the marina most susceptible to flooding along the parkway.
- Rock Creek Park — Preparations for the hurricane are underway, including plans to protect electrical equipment from possible power surges and readying of chainsaws and tree equipment in anticipation of tree cleanup needs.
- National Capital Regional Office — Efforts have begun to protect the regional office building, which is deemed highly vulnerable to wind and could receive extensive damage if the hurricane comes through the DC area.
- Assateague Island NS — The park closed down yesterday, pending the arrival of Hurricane Isabel. Current track projections place the park in the northeast quadrant of this storm. All visitors will be evacuated from the island and the island closed no later than this evening. Park headquarters will be secured and critical equipment evacuated no later than noon Wednesday. Housing area residents will also be evacuated. Park headquarters and evacuated resident employees will be relocated to the Hampton Inn in Salisbury, Maryland. Administrative leave will be in effect for all employees except critical incident management staff. Phones may or may not work during the storm itself.
- Delaware Water Gap NRA — In anticipation of heavy rains and possible significant flooding along the Delaware River and its tributaries, the park has convened its Type 3 IMT and begun planning for the likely arrival of the storm on Friday. Pennsylvania DR Ed Whitaker is IC.
- Statue of Liberty NM — The park put its emergency plan into effect yesterday. Actions either planned or underway include IT security and file backup, acquisition of essential supplies, identification of essential personnel, securing of exterior items and exhibits, security of vessels, and establishment of temporary screening sites at Liberty State Park and Battery Park. Assistant superintendent Frank Mills is IC.
- Fire Island NS — The park began preparations for the hurricane yesterday afternoon. Superintendent Dave Spirtes gave chief ranger Wayne Valentine (IC) a delegation of authority, and the park will go into ICS this morning in accordance with its hurricane plan. Initial preparations started yesterday, with smaller boats pulled from the water, portable fuel tanks removed from the island, and basic housekeeping.
Parks to the south of the Carolinas are all keeping a wary eye on the storm, just in case the course changes, but generally remain in a "stand by" mode.
Prepared from reports submitted by Bob Vogel, Superintendent, CALO;
Dann Trexler, IC, CAHA; Tom Nash, CR, COLO; Vince Santucci, CR, GWMP;
Laura Illige, CI, ROCR; Einar Olsen, RCR, NCRO; Mike Hill,
Superintendent, ASIS; Bill Halainen, IO, DEWA; Frank Mills, IC,
STLI; and Wayne Valentine, IC, FIIS.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Search for Overdue Hikers
On September 1st, rangers received a call from the Fresno County
Sheriff's Office informing them of an overdue hiking party in the
Evolution Basin area of Kings Canyon National Park. The overdue
backpackers — L.J. and M.K. — should have
returned to the trailhead at Florence Lake on the previous day,
according to L.J.'s wife. Their vehicle was found to still be at the
trailhead. A unified command was established to manage and coordinate
the interagency search for the two missing hikers. Ranger Dario Malengo
was assigned to the search and joined up with a team of searchers from
Fresno County. After seeing some photos of the missing hikers that the
Fresno County team had in their possession, Malengo remembered
contacting and citing the overdue party for having a dog in the park's
designated wilderness. That contact had been on August 27th at the
McClure Ranger Station. At that time, Malengo had told the hikers to
leave the park with their dog, but he did not see their direction of
travel when they departed. On September 2nd, search operations increased
and continued throughout the day, with no sign found of the overdue
party. Late that afternoon, Fresno County called to report that the two
hikers were at the Cedar Grove Market, which is about 35 air miles,
several days of hiking distance, and about 180 degrees in the wrong
direction from where they were supposed to finish their trip. L.J.,
M.K. and the dog were uninjured. L.J. and M.K. may be prosecuted
for disobeying a lawful order to directly exit the park after being
cited for the pet violation.
[Submitted by Bob Wilson, Acting Chief
Ranger]
Mammoth Cave National Park (KY)
Camper Burned by Explosion of Homemade Bomb
J.W. and E.L. came to the Headquarters Ranger Station
for treatment of a burn injury to J.W.'s hand on July 27th.
Investigation by rangers Bob Kirch and Melody Morrison revealed that
J.W. and E.L. were part of a group that had been camping in the
backcountry the previous few days. In an attempt to celebrate the end of
their camping trip, J.W. and another member of the group, Scott Willis,
had constructed a homemade bomb out of gunpowder and other items that
they had brought with them on the trip. While trying to ignite the
device, it detonated prematurely. J.W. sustained second and third degree
burns to his right hand. During questioning, Willis admitted to Morrison
that he had brought along a "recipe" for the bomb and that the group had
videotaped the entire procedure, including the explosion. Morrison was
able to get the original video tape that showed J.W. making the bomb and
also showed the device exploding. A second individual in the group, Kyle
Horseman, was also videotaped destroying plants in the backcountry. J.W.
and Willis were cited for possessing and using explosives; Horseman was
cited for destruction of natural resources.
[Submitted by Brad
McDougal, LES]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Fire and Aviation Management
National Fire Report
Due to local technical problems, there will be no fire report today.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (MI)
Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services
Dates: 09/09/2003 - 09/24/2003
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is currently advertising for its Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services (I&VS) position. The Chief of I&VS is advertised as Supervisory Park Ranger (I) GS-025-12. The position leads a dedicated interpretive staff as well as an extensive fee collection operation. The position will be responsible for continued development of interpretive and educational programs and will serve as the park's Public Information Officer. The incumbent will oversee the fee collection program and will coordinate the curatorial, cooperating association, and volunteer programs. As a member of the management team, the incumbent will advise park management regarding interpretation and education and the above program areas.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located within a beautiful resort area in northern lower Michigan. Housing, medical facilities, shopping, churches, banks, schools (ranging from pre-school to college), and cultural activities are available within a 30 mile radius. High temperatures average between 70-80 degrees in the summer. Average daytime temperatures in the winter are between 10-30 degrees. Snowfall is significant in the winter with on-ground accumulations averaging around 30-40 inches from mid-December through early March. Recreational opportunities abound both summer and winter. Housing for rent or purchase is readily available at moderate prices within a 30-mile radius.
For additional information contact Assistant Superintendent Tom Ulrich at (231) 326-5134. The job is posted on the USAJOBS website, www.usajobs.opm.gov, and closes on September 24, 2003.
[Submitted by Assistant Superintendent Tom Ulrich, Tom_Ulrich@nps.gov, 231-326-5134]
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (MI)
Chief of Resource and Visitor Protection
Dates: 09/09/2003 - 09/24/2003
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is currently advertising for its Chief of Resource and Visitor Protection (R&VP) position. The Chief of R&VP is advertised as Supervisory Park Ranger (P) GS-025-12/13. Coverage as a 6c secondary-administrative position is pending. The position serves as Chief Ranger and primary law enforcement specialist for the park and also administers the park's concession, special use, and wilderness programs. The incumbent will lead an experienced and committed staff of law enforcement and communications center staff and, as a member of the management team, provide advice to park management regarding resource and visitor protection and the above program areas.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located within a beautiful resort area in northern lower Michigan. Housing, medical facilities, shopping, churches, banks, schools (ranging from pre-school to college), and cultural activities are available within a 30 mile radius. High temperatures average between 70-80 degrees in the summer. Average daytime temperatures in the winter are between 10-30 degrees. Snowfall is significant in the winter with on-ground accumulations averaging around 30-40 inches from mid-December through early March. Recreational opportunities abound both summer and winter. Housing for rent or purchase is readily available at moderate prices within a 30-mile radius.
For additional information contact Assistant Superintendent Tom Ulrich at (231) 326-5134. The job is posted on the USAJOBS website, www.usajobs.opm.gov, and closes on September 24, 2003.
[Submitted by Assistant Superintendent Tom Ulrich, Tom_Ulrich@nps.gov, 231-326-5134]
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.