NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
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INCIDENTS
Crater Lake NP
Employee's House Destroyed By Fire
The home of longtime park aquatic ecologist Mark Buktenica and his family was destroyed by fire on Thursday, January 10th. The fire broke out around 9 p.m. that evening. Their property is located about 12 miles outside of Ashland, Oregon, and is accessed by a driver that's about a quarter-mile long. By the time Mark and A.B. arrived home that evening, the house was almost fully involved. Their pets (two dogs and a cat) were inside the burning building when they arrived. Mark forced his way into the house, rescuing the unconscious animals. They made a 911 call to the fire department, then left their house to take their pets to emergency care in Medford. Unfortunately, one of their cherished dogs did not survive. The fire department was hampered from getting to the home by the snow conditions on the lane to the property. The loss of the home is total, the structure having burned to the foundation. The Buktenicas lost practically everything they own in the blaze. The cause is still unknown. For now, Mark, A.B., and their three children (J. 17, A. 15, and M. 14) have access to a furnished house in Ashland. While the property and contents were insured, the amount of coverage will probably not be enough to cover all of their losses. And, as A.B. said, so many of their most precious possessions were the things more sentimental than material in value. A donation account has been set up at a local bank for those wishing to assist the family financially (Key Bank, 183 E. Main St., Ashland, OR, 97520, 541-482-2451). If you have specific questions or cards and letters to forward to Mark and A.B. and their family, please contact Scott Girdner at the park or call him at 541-594-3078. [Scott Girdner, Fisheries Biologist]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS (internal) or NPS Digest (external):
Olympic NP - The park and seven other organizations have joined together to form the Washington Clean Coast Alliance. The group's aim is to both clean up beaches and increase public awareness of the threats and causes of marine debris.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6139" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6139
Washington Office - The annual deadline is fast approaching for nominations for several Department of Interior awards that will be presented at ceremonies in Washington this coming May. They are due by month's end.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6140" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6140
In The Media - A weekly summary of news stories about or of consequence to the NPS, including links to the articles. Today's summary includes articles on the memorial in DC to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the resurgence of eagles at Lake Mead, and the proposal being floated to close 48 California state parks for budgetary reasons.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6141" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6141
Intermountain Region - Diane Chung has been named superintendent of the Flagstaff Area National Monuments, including Sunset Crater Volcano, Walnut Canyon and Wupatki.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1797" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1797
Glacier NP - Stuart Nuss, a former National Park Service maintenance employee, passed away on December 24th.
HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1800" http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1800
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Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov, 570-686-3828).
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