INCIDENTS

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Servicewide
Fourth of July Roundup

The Fourth of July weekend was a busy, festive event at sites throughout the nation. The following reports have been received to date:

National Mall — A drenching, lightning-filled thunderstorm that dropped nearly two inches of rain and looked like it would put a damper on Independence Day festivities moved out of town in time to allow for the "Capital Fourth" concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol and the famous National Park Service fireworks. Despite the on-again, off-again deluge and natural fireworks display during the day, larger than expected numbers of visitors turned out in the evening despite the soggy grounds and skies that threatened for a while to dump even more moisture. The rain, lightning and thunder caused first the postponement, then the cancellation of the annual Independence Day Parade along Constitution Ave. About 20 units — including those carrying Regional Director Terry Carlstrom — started and completed the 10-block parade route, but the approximately 60 remaining units were told to take cover as Mother Nature interceded around noon. The Park Police provided security throughout the day. The National Mall and related areas were closed from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.for a security sweep, then opened with 19 security checkpoints available for visitors to enter the National Mall.  More than 20 local, state and federal agencies helped Park Police provide security. The "Capital Fourth" concert began at 8 p.m. with host Barry Bostwick and Nashville legends Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Bee-Gees member Robin Gibb, American Idol singer and double platinum recording star Clay Aiken, and gospel star Yolanda Adams. The entire performance, which included a tribute to the late American music legend Ray Charles and a birthday salute to American composer and conductor John Philip Sousa, was televised nationally on the Public Broadcasting System and National Public Radio. The fireworks began at precisely 9:10 p.m., exploding in the skies over the new World War II Memorial, closed and covered with fire-retardant tarps to protect it from any possible permanent damage. The Pyro Company of LaFollette, Tennessee, launched American, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese fireworks high into the sky, delighting crowds on the Washington Monument grounds, near the Lincoln Memorial and around the Tidal Basin.

Antietam NB — On July 3rd, the 19th annual "Salute to Independence" was held in the park. More than 30,000 people attended. A West Virginia Air National Guard flyover began the evening's activities, and was followed by a performance by the Maryland Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Elizabeth Schulze. The show opened with Aaron Copeland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" and "Appalachian Spring."  After intermission, the orchestra thrilled the crowd with Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" and John Philip Sousa's "Stars & Stripes Forever," played underneath a shower of Zambelli Internationale fireworks.

Jefferson NEM — The 24th annual Fair Saint Louis began on July 2nd with a concert featuring the Charlie Daniels Band on the main stage.  The three day event included additional concerts with Isaac Hayes, Al Green, Saliva and the Wallflowers.  Kenny Rogers was scheduled for Friday evening, but heavy rain caused the fair to cancel his concert and the fireworks for that evening.  On Saturday and Sunday evenings, the thirty-minute fireworks program with patriotic music was included.  The incident was managed by park personnel with additional law enforcement resources from the Southeast SET team, Midwest SET team and 30 other people from the Bureau of Land Management, NPS and city police. Also supporting the event were 14 canine officers from Saint Louis Metropolitan PD and other local and federal agencies.  Although gang activity was noticeable, particularly on Sunday, there were only 23 arrests for miscellaneous minor violations in the park.

Mount Rushmore NM — A magnificent patriotic fireworks display lit the skies over the park on July 3rd, ushering in Independence Day 2004. Just before the show started, a dramatic flyover by a B-1 bomber from Ellsworth Air Force Base surprised the crowd with its blue afterburners kicking in right over the sculpture. An estimated 25,000 people viewed the fireworks from within the park. A total of 2,129 vehicles passed through security check points. Parking areas were filled to capacity by 11:30 a.m. and by evening the roads outside the park entrance were lined with cars for up to five miles in all directions. Many people parked at a distance and approached the park on foot. EMS responded to 25 minor medicals. One cardiac arrest fatality occurred outside the park after the fireworks. On July 4th, one choking incident occurred in which a concession employee was saved by ranger Mark Davidson, who performed the Heimlich maneuver. Heavy rain and lightening forced the cancellation of live musical performances in the late afternoon and evening. Only 17,000 people visited the park that day.

Operations were supported by staff at a command post at the Emergency Incident Coordination Center (EICC) located at Shenandoah NP to manage any emergencies that might occur during the holiday on NPS lands. The command post was staffed by an incident commander, deputy IC, multi-regional coordinating group (MRCG) staff, and the EICC management staff. The EICC provided real-time links to each of the parks during their fireworks displays. All requested resources were mobilized and available at the incidents at the requested times. There were no significant incidents reported by the parks. All personnel were demobilized by the end of the operational period.
[Submitted by Bill Line, Communications Officer, NCR; Joel Musick, Chief Ranger, JNEM; Julie Johndreau, Information Officer, MORU; Brenda Ritchie, EICC, SHEN]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

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National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Situation Report Highlights — Thursday, July 8, 2004

Preparedness Level 3

NIFC reports 140 new fires on Wednesday, four of which became project fires.

Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.

Warnings and Watches

No warnings or watches have been issued for today.

National Resource Commitments

Day	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu
Date	7/2	7/3	7/4	7/5	7/6	7/7	7/8
Crews	178	216	199	208	167	158	165
Engines	280	427	331	311	265	208	217
Helicopters	72	79	84	93	77	71	80
Air Tankers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Overhead	1,120	1,369	1,459	1,626	1,679	1,611	1,842

National/State Team Commitments

Newly listed fires (on this report) appear below in boldface. Changes in the status of a fire (type of team, change from a fire to a complex, etc.) are also noted in boldface.

Fires are sorted by type of team; teams are listed in alphabetical order within each type by the IC's last name.

ST	AGCY	TM	IC	Fire/Location	7/7	7/8	%	Est
AK	State	1	Hart	Boundary Fire Fairbanks Area	312,000	315,000	27	7/24
WA	USFS	1	Lohrey	Pot Peak Fire Ok.-Wenatchee NF	7,200	7,550	35	UNK
AZ	USFS	1	Oltrogge	Nuttall Complex Coronado NF	20,700	26,820	25	UNK
AZ	USFS	1	Whitney	Willow Fire Tonto NF	90,500	101,500	25	UNK
AK	BLM	2	Chrisman	Wolf Creek Fire Upper Yukon Zone	200,000	200,000	0	UNK
WA	BLM	2	Jennings/ Perry	Beebe Fire Spokane District	----	4,200	70	7/8
AK	State	2	Kurth	Taylor Complex Tok Area Forestry	489,452	506,378	NR	8/1
AZ	BIA	2	Kvale	Military Fire San Carlos Agency	----	231	15	7/10
CO	BLM	2	Mullenix	McGruder Fire Umcompahgre FO	2,960	2,806	100	CND
AK	State	2	Stegmier	Camp Creek Fire Fairbanks Area	115,503	131,883	0	7/31
AK	BLM	FU	Bird	Solstice Complex Upper Yukon Zone	325,447	359,590	5	UNK
AK	BLM	FU	Cones	Eagle Complex Upper Yukon Zone	467,507	506,378	NR	8/1
WA	USFS	FU	Cook	Freezeout Fire Ok.-Wenatchee NF	150	150	17	UNK

Further Information

This report is meant to present just highlights of the current fire situation. Two other NIFC sites provide much greater detail:

Full NIFC Situation Report (PDF file) — http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf
National Fire News — http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/nfn.html

Information on NPS Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) and on park fires can be found at:

FAM — http://www.nps.gov/fire
Park fires — http://www.nps.gov/fire/news

Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve (AK)
Deer Creek Fire -- ref #236, A4WX (Wildland Fire)

Fire is located on the southern boundary of the park on BLM land. It is believe the fire has burn into the park. This fire also is threatening the Community of Eagle, AK. (full report)
Crews improved lines around the town of Eagle and Eagle Native Village. Plans are to continue line improvements 7/7. A total of 140 personnel are assigned to the fire.
Acreage: 94,453 acres
Resources Committed: Smokejumpers, helicopters, Gary Cone's Fire Use Team is managing the Eagle Complex of which this fire is a part.
Estimated containment date: 10/01/2004[Submitted by Marsha Henderson, marsha_henderson@nps.gov, (907) 455-0650]

Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve (AK)
Edwards Creek -ref#234, A4WG (Wildland Fire)

This fire ignited on BLM land north of the preserve. It since has grown significantly and burned into Yukon-Charley Rivers NPr. (full report)
Two smokejumpers remain assigned to cabin protection.
Acreage: Total acreage 132,357, NPS acreage unknown.
Estimated containment date: October 1, 2004[Submitted by Marsha Henderson, Marsha_Henderson@nps.gov, 907-455-0650]

Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve (AK)
Woodchopper Creek Fire - ref #331, A5ZE (Wildland Fire)

Fire was discovered at 3 acres. Fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain. (full report)
Eagle Complex personnel reported limited fire activity. Plans are to release the six smokejumpers assigned to the fire and replace them with a Fire Use Module today.
Acreage: 4,775
Resources Committed: 12 smokejumpers,Gary Cone's Fire Use Team is managing the Eagle Complex of which this fire is a part.
Estimated containment date: 7/5/2004[Submitted by Marsha Henderson, marsha_henderson@nps.gov, 907-455-0650]

PARKS AND PEOPLE

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Pacific West Region
Administrative Officer, GS-341-11

Dates: 06/28/2004 - 07/19/2004

The announcement (PWRSEA-2004-42) for this position opened in USAJOBS on June 28th and closes on July 19th. The incumbent of this position is one of three division chiefs who serve as an integral part of the management team of the USS Arizona Memorial. Serves as an advisor and coordinator for the superintendent and other division chiefs on all phases of administration management as it relates to the complexities of managing various program areas. Coordinates the development and administration of a multi-million dollar annual budget and oversees the allotment and expenditure of various project funding sources. The incumbent is responsible for long-term planning, including the development and oversight of systems for determining operational requirements. She/he is responsible for internal coordination between the various divisions on administrative matters as well as a variety of management functions assigned to the superintendent. The incumbent is responsible and accountable for developing, implementing, and supervising the three member Administrative Division's functions and activities which include providing services and technical advice within delegated authority in the areas of personnel management, budgeting, financial management, contracting, procurement, property management, information management, and supply. Establishes operating guidelines, studies problems in the quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and resolves technical problems not covered by established policy.

The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial is located within the city of Honolulu, approximately six miles from the downtown area. All amenities that large cities offer can generally be found easily. Visitation is intense (1.5 million/year) at his popular historic site. Public bus transportation is readily available at a general cost of $40/month. Basic monthly apartment rental starts around $1,200. Home prices average 500K. Government housing is NOT available. There is a 25% cost-of-living allowance (COLA) in addition to basic salary. Working at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial is a great opportunity to work side-by-side with Pearl Harbor survivors, and hear their unique experiences from December 7, 1941. Trips to neighbor islands are affordable, and both mountains and oceans are nearby. Please visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/usar/ for more information.

For additional information about this position please contact:

Jeannie Freeman in the Human Resources Office at 808-541-2693, ext. 725
[Submitted by Jeannie Freeman, (808) 541-2693 ext. 725]

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.