East Coast Areas
Incident Teams Continue Cleanup Operations
The following reports reflect the status of operations through Tuesday.
Central IMT (Sherrie Collins)
Incident commander Sherrie Collins and her NPS Central Incident Management Team have taken over the recovery efforts at the four Virginia parks.
Recovery efforts at Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania NMP are nearing completion. At Petersburg NB, all trees at the national cemetery have been cut down and bucked up. While significant progress has been made in the Fort Harrison section of Richmond NB, a great deal of work remains. Along the Colonial Parkway, two miles of one side of the 22-mile parkway have been cleared to the mow line, thanks to the influx of more heavy equipment.
For the crews working on clearing the roadways, parking lots, scenic overlooks, battlefields, and cemeteries, the work has been long and constant. To quote a member of the Augusta Hotshot crew, "Working on this incident is a lot different than working on a fire assignment. We've had an average of nine chainsaws running each day and going through about 15 gallons of chainsaw fuel. Compare this to an average fire assignment where we have about four chainsaws running and use about five gallons of fuel each day." It's the type of work crews enjoy — precision, physical labor, and planning. It's also the type of work that gets tiring.
Area residents are showing their appreciation to crews for their rapid clearing of roads and views by providing them with freshly baked items. One resident even used this opportunity to learn some "professional tree-trimming techniques."
Many crews are at the close of their two-week assignment and looking forward to a rest. While these crews return home, others will move in and continue the work of clearing trees. There is a lot of work to be done, but the light at the end of the tunnel shines brighter each day.
The Augusta Hotshots are one of five crews that demobilized Tuesday afternoon. Also heading home will be the Cedar City Hotshots (UT), the Navajo Hotshots (AZ), two Type 2 crews from Idaho's Panhandle National Forest, and the Colorado River crew from Grand Junction, Colorado. Four new crews from Arkansas and one from Florida were slated to arrive late yesterday to take their place.
There are 366 personnel currently assigned to the recovery effort. The cost to date is $4,769,426.
Daily updates, photos, and the latest incident action plan are
available on the Central Team's Hurricane Isabel page on the NPS IMT web
site: www.nps.gov/fire/allrisk
Report compiled from submission by Al Nash, IO, Central IMT.
Katmai National Park & Preserve (AK)
Two Killed in Bear Mauling
Preliminary reports have been received of two bear mauling fatalities
at Kaflia Bay on the park's coast. An air taxi operator who flew to the
area to check on his clients found the bodies, one of whom is likely a
nationally-known "bear expert." Alaska state troopers from Kodiak are
heading the investigation; the park has dispatched a pilot and ranger to
the scene.
[Submitted by Joe Fowler, Acting Superintendent]
Little River Canyon National Preserve (AL)
Falling Fatality
Ranger Jimmy Dunn was contacted by a visitor who reported a possible
falling accident at the Wolf Creek overlook on the afternoon of
September 26th. Dunn, ranger David Walker, park paramedic Valerie
Saferite and guide Theresa Baird responded. They searched the overlook
area and locations below the bluff, but had to suspend their efforts due
to oncoming darkness and thick vegetation. Saferite and Baird rappelled
into the canyon the following morning to conduct an extended search.
Saferite found the body of D.S. just after noon. D.S. had
fallen about 120 feet, the slid down the steep slope for another 150
feet. Fischer Rescue Squad members assisted with the body recovery. An
investigation is underway, but foul play is not suspected. Dunn was the
IC.
[Submitted by Valerie Saferite, EMS Coordinator]
Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Elk Poaching Arrests
Two men from northwestern Wyoming were cited into federal court on
October 3rd for illegally shooting and killing three bull elks in a
remote area inside Yellowstone's eastern boundary. The investigation
began on October 1st as the result of observations made by law
enforcement rangers on routine anti-poaching patrol. A three-day
investigation ensued, involving NPS rangers and special agents, FWS
special agents, Forest Service officers and an NPS contract helicopter.
The men were caught after they abandoned the carcasses and attempted to
leave the area; seized were rifles, handguns, motor vehicles, trailers,
stock and optical equipment. The investigation is continuing with
assistance from FWS and the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish.
Numerous additional charges are anticipated. Additional information will
be provided following the initial court appearance on October 22nd.
[Submitted by Chris Fors, Special Agent]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (WA)
GS-9 Term Fuels Management Specialist
The park has an opening for a GS-9 subject-to-furlough, term fuels management specialist. The term is one to four years. The person hired will be stationed at Kettle Falls. The announcement number is LARO-03-31 and it closes on October 13th. If you have any questions, call Deb Mason at 509-633-9441 ext. 120.
[Submitted by Deb Mason]
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.