Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Manhunt with Park SRT Team and Trackers

On August 11th, rangers and special agents responded to a mutual aid request from Idaho police officers engaged in the high speed pursuit of a stolen car that was heading towards Yellowstone on Highway 20. Shortly after rangers attempted to spike the fleeing vehicle, it crashed and the two occupants fled into the woods west of the park. Rangers cleared the vehicle and called out the park's special response team (SRT) and additional tracker-certified rangers. Ten Idaho and Montana agencies also responded, including the US Forest Service, US Marshals Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Idaho State Police, Ashton Police Department, West Yellowstone Police Department, and the Madison and Gallatin County Sheriff's Offices. Two Montana National Guard helicopters also were dispatched to assist. Arriving SRT operators and trackers, including a park K-9 unit, quickly located a duffle bag with suspected marijuana and a loaded 9mm Taurus pistol that one of the suspects had apparently dropped. The team, augmented by an Ashton PD officer, tracked the suspect for more than three miles over a five-hour period. He was found by the Yellowstone search dog hiding near a golf course in a heavy thicket adjacent to a creek and was arrested at gunpoint without incident. His partner was arrested early the next morning after a deputy observed an opened door at a local cabin and found him asleep in a bed. [Submitted by SA Bruce M. Applin, SRT Team Leader]

Olympic National Park (WA)
Methamphetamine Distribution Arrest

Seven rangers from Olympic National Park and one law enforcement officer and dog from Olympic National Forest participated in a traffic operation on Highway 101 around Lake Crescent on July 8th. Just before midnight, rangers stopped a vehicle for a speeding violation. The Forest Service K-9 unit was called, and the dog, "Radar," hit on the engine compartment behind the driver's side headlight. A search resulted in the confiscation of approximately 137.5 grams of methamphetamines packaged in separate bags and contained in a Tupperware container behind the headlight assembly. The driver was arrested and charged in Tacoma, Washington with felony possession with intent to distribute. The driver is an undocumented alien and has waived his right to a detention hearing. He remains in custody pending trial. [Submitted by Barb Maynes, Public Affairs Officer]

Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Police Officer Injured in Training Program Accident

A Henderson Police Department officer was injured in a motorcycle accident on Northshore Road just before 8 a.m. on August 11th. The officer was one of five students participating in a four week HPD motor officer training course. The officers were on a training ride and this was the last day of the third week of their training program. They were traveling in a staggered line formation, with two instructors in the front followed by the five students and then two additional instructors in the rear. The officer injured was on the inside line of riders in the fourth position and drifted off the roadway near the end of a left hand turn. The officer remained upright, but the motorcycle then tumbled violently. The remaining officers on scene requested emergency services and rangers were dispatched from the Northshore and Boulder Districts. Rangers arrived on scene and provided medical assistance to the patient. The officer was transported via helicopter to University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where he was treated and released. The National Park Service and the Henderson Police Department are investigating the accident. [Submitted by Mary Hinson, Deputy Chief Ranger]

NIFC/NPS Fire and Aviation Management
National Fire Situation Highlights — Friday, August 19, 2005

Preparedness Level 3

Only 85 new fires were reported nationally yesterday. Five became large fires; three other large fires were contained. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Alaska, California, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Weather Forecast

High pressure is building over most of the West for a warming and drying trend. However, some monsoon moisture continues over the Southwest. A weak trough will move over western Alaska while high pressure covers the rest of the interior.

Red Flag Warnings

None today.

Fire Weather Watches

None today.

NPS Fires

For a brief supplemental narrative on each fire, click on the bar with the arrow. Internal NPS readers can link directly to full reports on each fire by clicking on the notepad icon; public readers of the Morning Report can obtain similar information by going to http://www.nps.gov/fire/news

Park	State	Fire	Type	Acres	Percent Contain	Est. Full Contain
Yosemite National Park	CA	Foresta Complex	Wildland Fire	each fire is less than 1/2 acre.	100	08/18/05
	Latest Narrative: The fires in this complex are extinguished.
Yosemite National Park	CA	Hammer Down and Cascade Fires	Wildland Fire	The Hammer Down Fire is 1/2 acre and the Cascade Fire is 1/4... See below for more...	100	8/20/05
	Full Acreage Report: The Hammer Down Fire is 1/2 acre and the Cascade Fire is 1/4 acre. Latest Narrative: The fires are out.
Yosemite National Park	CA	The Mosquito Fire	Wildland Fire	1/4 acre.	100	8/19/05
	Latest Narrative: The Mosquito Fire is out.
Yosemite National Park	CA	The Sugar 1and Sugar 2 Fires	Wildland Fire	Less than 1/2 acre.	100	8/19/05
	Latest Narrative: Fires are out.
Yellowstone National Park	WY	Chickadee WFU	Wildland Fire Use	25 acres at 1700 on 7/28/05.	N/A	N/A
	Latest Narrative: The Chickadee fire was flown using a PALM IR camera. There was still several of heat found even though the fire area received over an inch of rain last week. The fire lookouts will continue to monitor the fire daily.
Yellowstone National Park	WY	Elk Tongue	Wildland Fire Use	.10 at present	N/A	N/A
	Latest Narrative: The Elk Tongue fire was flown today using a PALM IR camera. The operator observed open flame as well as some smoldering areas along the small perimeter of this fire. The fire continues to be monitored by the fire lookouts on a daily basis. The fire size remains at 0.1 of an acre.

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.

National Resource Commitments

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

Horace M. Albright Training Center
NPS Founder's Day Photo Event — Take 2

Yesterday's lead story about the Founder's Day photo event has been revised to include a new procedure for submitting photos. The changes are in the third and fourth paragraphs:

Founder's Day is on Thursday, August 25th. In honor of this event, which celebrates the birth of the National Park Service, the Horace M. Albright Training Center is asking that parks and offices all over the country take a moment during the day to take group and individual photos of employees. These photos will become part of new exhibits at the training center that highlight the people of the National Park Service.

As far as we know, this will be the first time that the NPS has undertaken an effort on this scale to photograph as many current employees as possible. The goal is to show the many faces of the National Park Service to students and the public who visit the Albright Training Center at the Grand Canyon.

It would be great to get as many photos as possible. Group photos are encouraged but any photos of employees are welcome. Photos should be in the highest digital resolution jpeg format available and should contain both caption and credit. They should NOT be posted to the website provided yesterday. Submit your digital images on a CD-ROM disc and express mail then to the address below. Do NOT use standard mail, as all Postal Service mail going in to DOI is subject to a screening process that damages CD discs, photos and slides.

The express mail address for the photo archives is: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Office of Public Affairs (Photographic Archives), 1849 C Street, NW (Room 7012), Washington, DC 20240, Attention: Rick Lewis.
[Submitted by Costa Dillon, Superintendent]

NPS Office at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Training Instructor Lists

The NPS Law Enforcement Training Center has published an updated list of current NPS firearms instructors and NLTA instructors on its website. Instructors should verify their standing on the list, and notify Bruce Hasson of any changes in either their park assignment or their instructor status.

The firearms instructor list is located at:

http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custommenu.cfm?lv=3&prg=678&id=2973

The NLTA instructor list can be found at:

http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custommenu.cfm?lv=3&prg=592&id=3677
[Submitted by Greg Jackson, Senior Program Manager]

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
New Publications Available From Center

Issue 13 of Scratchline newsletter has just been released, featuring dozer and tractor plow lessons learned. Equipment operators from federal, state, county agencies and private contractors were recently interviewed regarding their notable successes and challenges in LCES and situational awareness, effective practices and most pressing safety issues. You can view and print the issue at http://www. wildfirelessons.net/Scratchline.aspx .

Also of interest is the posting of the 1995 Point Fire (Idaho) case study, which evaluates an incident in which two volunteer firefighters lost their lives, and the 2005 Parkhill Area (California) wildland fire pre-plan and evacuation plan, developed by the California Department of Forestry. These new additions to the case studies page are available at http://www. wildfirelessons.net/CaseStudies.aspx

Please ensure that the new Scratchline newsletter is circulated and posted at all units and fire camps this summer.
[Submitted by Paula Nasiatka, Center Manager, Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center]

Servicewide
Upcoming Events Calendar

This listing is updated every Friday. Please submit information to Bill Halainen. New listings and revisions are in bold face.

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August 26 — August 27

Rocky Mountain National Park Old-Timers and Employees Reunion, Estes Park Holiday Inn and Convention Center, Estes Park, CO. There will be a special program on Friday night at the Beaver Meadows VC, a free park bus tour on Saturday morning, and a banquet on Saturday evening. The cost for the latter is $30 per person. RSVP for dinner by sending a check made out to the Rocky Mountain Nature Association to Lynn Marquez, Rocky Mountain NP, 1000 Highway 36, Estes Park, CO 80517. Fore more information or to reserve a seat on the bus tour, call her at 970-586-1295 or email her at lynn_marquez@nps.gov .

September 15 — September 16

"Oh Freedom: Reclaiming August 8th as Emancipation Day," Greeneville, TN.  The African American Task Force of the Community Economic Development Network of East Tennessee invites you to attend a groundbreaking conference about the 8th of August in an effort to rekindle the recognition of this special day in the life of African Americans across Tennessee, Kentucky and beyond.  The conference will draw together a rare combination of individuals — those from communities where celebrations have occurred, those who want to uncover this important piece of African American heritage, and those who have an academic interest in African American history.  For more information, and a copy of the registration form, contact Mark Corey at Andrew Johnson NHS at 423-639-3711 ext. 101 or e-mail him at mark_corey@nps.gov .

October 23

Manning Cabin 100th Anniversary Celebration, Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, Tucson, AZ. Saguaro National Park, along with co-sponsors Friends of Saguaro National Park, Western National Parks Association and the Arizona Historical Society are hosting a "Manning Cabin 100th Anniversary Celebration" at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch on Sunday, October 23rd from noon to four p.m. The event features mule-packing demonstrations, cowboy music and storytelling, exhibits showing the history of Manning Cabin, firefighting, the Rincon Valley's Hispanic history, and Levi Manning's role in changing Tucson at the turn of the century. Admission is free. The Arizona Historical Society will be hosting a related exhibit and series of lectures on Levi Manning and the history of the Rincon Mountains in October. Manning Cabin is located in the Rincon Mountains at 8,000 feet. It was built by Levi Manning, mayor of Tucson from 1905 to 1907. It was used by the Manning family and later became a backcountry ranger station in the Coronado National Forest, and by the 1920s, was used as a base camp for firefighters, a role it still fills today. Saguaro National Park is also seeking people — from firefighters to hikers who can relate their experiences at the cabin. For more information, call Meg Weesner at Saguaro National Park at 520-733-5170.

November 11 — November 13

On December 30, 2005, Colonial National Historical Park will mark the 75th anniversary of its creation by an executive order of President Herbert Hoover.  In recognition of this milestone, Colonial is planning special events throughout the year, including a reunion of current and former employees of Colonial and its partners.  The reunion is open to anyone who has worked at the park, either for the National Park Service or as a cooperating association, partner or concessionaire. This reunion is strictly a social opportunity for the NPS family to come back to Colonial to renew acquaintances, share stories and see the many improvements that are underway as the park prepares for its anniversary events at Yorktown in 2006 and Jamestown in 2007. Among the many planned activities for the weekend are:

• a hard-hat tour of the new Historic Jamestown Visitor Center that will open in 2006
• a tour of the new Historic Jamestowne Research Center
• a variety of interpretive tours and programs for reunion participants, including the Jamestown Rediscovery archaeological excavation, and a bus tour of the Colonial Parkway (nominated as an All-American Road in 2005)
• evening reception featuring entertainment and a multi-media "step back in time"
• a screening of "The New World," the new feature film about Jamestown from Academy Award nominated director Terrence Malick and starring Colin Farrell as John Smith

More details on the Colonial NHP reunion weekend will be available soon.  To receive information on the plans for this reunion, please send your contact information to christine_lucero@nps.gov  and put "Reunion" as the Subject. Please share this information with those who do not have access to email. Contact information: Christine Lucero, Colonial NHP, P.O. Box 210, Yorktown, VA 23690 (757-898-2432).

November 18 — November 20

Maritime Heritage Education, National Maritime Center, Norfolk, VA. This conference will be the first of its kind to bring formal and informal educators together to promote the sharing of maritime heritage education partnerships, programs and products. People from all over the country will come together to participate in this exciting conference featuring guest keynote speakers, concurrent sessions, a book room and social gatherings related to the following maritime heritage topics: Lighthouses/lightsaving stations; whaling and fishing heritage; native canoe cultures; shipping and port heritage; shipboard education programs; shipwrecks and other submerged sites. For information on the conference, go to http://www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education/mhec ;  for info on submitting abstracts (due by August 30th), go to http://www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education/mhec

Servicewide
Upcoming Training Calendar

This listing is updated every Friday. It is not meant to replace any of the various training center calendars — just to augment them and provide a heads-up on new training courses. Please submit information to Bill Halainen. New listings and revisions are in bold face.

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August 28 — September 2

Quarters Management Information System and Rates Training, Sacramento, CA. The course will provide housing managers a better understanding and working knowledge of the NPS housing program. Specific topics include QMIS inventory requirements, required and non-required occupancy, safety and health issues, need assessments, condition assessments, housing management plans and PMIS projects. For more information, contact Hala Bates, IMRO housing office, at 303-969-2742 or via email.

September 19 — September 22

Retrofitting for Accessibility, Gatlinburg, TN. This course provides education on federal legislation and accessibility requirements as applied to park and recreation facilities and programs. Educational sessions will provide an understanding of the characteristics and needs of people with disabilities. Curriculum emphasis will include application of accessibility standards, barrier removal, safety issues associated with accessibility, and ongoing facility maintenance to assure optimum access for visitors including those with disabilities. This course has an active field-based component that is designed to provide hands-on experiences identifying design problems in existing facilities and potential considerations and solutions for improving access. The primary field work will be done within the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park . A prerequisite seminar on disability awareness will precede the course. The disability awareness seminar will give participants a better understanding of legislation, attitudes, architectural and programmatic needs in order to provide quality services to people with disabilities. The prerequisite seminar is mandatory for all participants who have not attended a previous NCA core course or NCA disability awareness seminar. For more information, go to  http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Conferences&id=841 The contact is Nancy Smith at 812-856-4422.

September 20 — September 22

Colt M-16/AR-15 Armorer's Course, Jean Lafitte Barataria Preserve Education Center, Marrero, LA. The point of contact for enrollments and lodging is ranger Georgia Shaw (504-589-2330 ext. 20); for more information on the course, contact ranger Michael Callais (504-589-2330 ext. 22). The cost is $375. To make a credit card payment, contact Jeff Radziwon at 1-800-962-2658 ext. 1408. 

September 26 — September 30

Tracking and Clue Management for Resources Protection, Northern Arizona University (NAU), Flagstaff, AZ. NAU offers you the opportunity to blend the old and the new into a more effective protection tool. Instruction begins with the skill of tracking, so essential to the success of field officers. This skill, built around observing changes in the natural environment, will be reinforced with tools to manage clues for the long term benefit of patrol, supervision and investigation. See http://www.jmu.edu/icle/workforce.htm for more details.

September 27 — September 29

Colt M-16/AR-15 Armorer's Course, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, Fritch, TX. The point of contact for enrollments and lodging is ranger Scott Hall (806-865-3874 ext. 38). For enrollment applications, email Scott_L_Hall@nps.gov. The cost is $375.

October 17 — October 21

Archeological Resources Protection Training (ARPTP-601), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Training in all aspects of archeological investigation and subsequent prosecution of crimes. Taught by accomplished instructors who are nationally-recognized subject-matter expects in the fields of law enforcement, archeology and law. Any questions concerning the course can be directed to Senior Instructor Charles Louke, 912-280-5188, or charles.louke@dhs.gov .  For course registration information, contact Virginia McCleskey, 912-554-4828 or virginia.mccleskey@dhs.gov

October 31 — November 4

Producing NPS Publications, Harpers Ferry NHP, WV. This 40-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 and templates. Subjects will include design principles, layout, typography, image preparation, maps, printing prep, and working with printing companies. This course will not cover writing and editing. Computers will be used but this should not be considered a computer course. Participants will need to bring their own laptop with full and complete editions of Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator installed. (Adobe PageMaker will not be acceptable.) The tuition is $175 to cover supplies and materials. For further information and/or application forms, contact Tom Haraden at Zion NP at 435-772-0161 or via email by September 26th.

November 28 — December 2

Quarters Management Information System and Rates Training, Denver, CO. The course will provide housing managers a better understanding and working knowledge of the NPS housing program. Specific topics include QMIS inventory requirements, required and non-required occupancy, safety and health issues, need assessments, condition assessments, housing management plans and PMIS projects. For more information, contact Hala Bates, IMRO housing office, at 303-969-2742 or via email.

Fiscal Year 2006

The NPS Law Enforcement Training Center is pleased to announce rosters for basic academy training for the complete FY2006 fiscal year. These rosters are tentative, except for class LMPTP 601. Parks and trainees for 601 have been notified that the class has been confirmed. Small changes in these rosters are likely over time. NPS/LETC is publishing them now to assist parks and trainees in future planning. Those waiting on future, unconfirmed classes should check regularly to see if the have been re-assigned to another class. Classes are confirmed 60 days in advance. Once a class has been confirmed, parks and trainees will receive confirmation emails from the NPS-LETC. The lists are based on EOD date. Requests for rescheduling of training must be forwarded through the regional chief rangers. The list can be reached at: http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custommenu.cfm?lv=3&prg=573&id=3675 [Greg Jackson, Senior Program Manager]

Christiansted National Historic Site (VI)
Detail for GS-9 LE Ranger

Christiansted National Historic Site/Buck Island Reef National Monument/Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve on St Croix in the Virgin Islands is looking for a GS-9 LE ranger with advanced boating skills willing to work a detail for two pay periods with luxury accommodations in a condo overlooking Christiansted Harbor. Previous detailees have done some undercover ops, some proactive boating and fishing patrols, beach patrols, concessions monitoring, etc. The park needs you now. For further information, contact John Wilkins, the parks' chief ranger. [Submitted by John R. Wilkins, Chief Ranger]

Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found by clicking here. 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 Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.