NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
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INCIDENTS
Hawaii Volcanoes NP
Park Closes Due To Sulfur Dioxide Emissions
Based on weather forecasts and current plume models, sulfur dioxide levels have reached the designated closure threshold in areas of the park. Superintendent Cindy Orlando has therefore ordered the closure of the park until further notice. All park partners were asked to curtail operations and leave the park until further notice. This included all employees and lodging guests. Although there was no immediate threat to the safety of people in the area, all were asked to move expeditiously. NPS emergency responders were remaining on duty, but were to leave the park if the situation became elevated. [Holly Bundock, PAO, Pacific West Region]
Glen Canyon NRA
Firefighters Save Resident's Life In Dorm Fire
Additional details have been received on the fire that destroyed the concession employee dorm at Wahweap on Sunday evening (see yesterday's edition for the original report). When responding firefighters arrived at the dorm, they found it filled with smoke with flames showing on the exterior. The 24-unit building was quickly searched without result and an exterior attack was begun. About 30 minutes into the fire, the concession risk manager reported that one of the residents could not be accounted for. A decision was made to send two teams of rescuers to check specific dorm rooms. Park firefighter Jeff Wilson and Page FD firefighter PJ Marlow made a forced entry into one of the rooms and found the missing person by using a thermal imaging device to penetrate the dense smoke. He was evacuated, taken by ambulance to Page Hospital and treated for smoke inhalation, then flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. He remains there in critical condition. Initial attack was made by NPS fire captains Shawn McNally, Heath Beard, Eric Scott and Chris Cook and firefighters Jared St. Clair and Jeff Wilson. Additional assistance was by provided by firefighters Laurie Axelsen, Kean Mihata, Scott Larson, Lance Mattson, Brent McGinn and Ben Davis. Three mutual aid engine crews provided critical support. Suppression operations lasted for over six hours. The concessioner, Aramark-Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas, has four other dorm buildings at this location, all of which were protected. The 21 residents displaced by the fire have been accommodated elsewhere. In addition to numerous NPS personnel, firefighters from Page Fire Department and Greenehaven Fire Department also responded. The cause is still unknown; an investigation is currently underway. The IC was Shawn McNally. [Brent McGinn, Chief Ranger]
Shenandoah NP
Body Of Missing Man Found
The search for J.A.M., Jr. ended yesterday when his body was located in the Keyser Run area of the park. J.A.M. had been missing since March 26th. All trails in the area have now been reopened. Over 200 employees and volunteers were involved in the eleven-day search, including personnel from Blue Ridge Parkway, New River Gorge NR, Richmond NBP, Fredricksburg & Spotsylvania NMP, Colonial NHP, Petersburg NB, Assateaque Island NS, Catoctin Mountain Park, Harper's Ferry NHP, and Kings Mountain NMP. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer]
Glen Canyon NRA
Plane Makes Emergency Landing On Sandbar
Park dispatch received a report of missing plane in the Bullfrog area late on the evening of Sunday, April 6th. According to the FAA, the plane had taken off earlier in the day from Durango, Colorado, but failed to return as scheduled. Attempts to find it at known landing strips proved unsuccessful. On the morning of April 7th, the operator of a tour plane reported sighting the plane and pilot on a sandbar in Zahn Bay on the San Juan River. The uninjured pilot was picked up by Classic Helicopter, based in Page, Arizona. The pilot said that he'd made an emergency landing due to equipment failure. He at first attempted to walk out, then returned to the plane and manually activated its emergency locating transmitter. The park and county sheriff's officer are conducting a joint investigation. [Marianne Karraker, Permits Coordinator]
Grand Canyon NP
Body Of Missing Park Resident Found
Around noon on April 4th, a wildlife biologist from the Peregrine Fund who was working in the park noticed significant condor activity concentrated in one area. After hiking to a vantage point, the biologist was able to see a body about 300 feet beneath Trail View Overlook on West Rim Drive. Rangers rappelled down to the location, rigged the body, and flew it out via long-line to the South Rim helibase. The body was turned over the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office for identification. Forensic scientists from the Arizona Department of Public Safety subsequently identified the victim as E.S., a 29-year-old Grand Canyon resident who was reported missing on March 14th. Rangers had conducted a search for him for several days before terminating it due to lack of clues. An investigation is being conducted by the National Park Service. [Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer, and Leah McGinnis, Management Assistant]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS:
NHL/NNL Programs - The National Historic Landmarks and National Natural Landmarks programs have kicked off their annual photo contests.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6364" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6364
Harpers Ferry Center - The center has launched a new graphics identity web page.
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6361" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6361
In the Media - A weekly summary of news stories about or of consequence to the NPS, including links to the articles.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6365" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6365
Alaska Region - A retirement party for Alaska Regional Director Marcia Blaszak will be held in May 6th in Anchorage.
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1879" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1879
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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).
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