NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Thursday, February 12, 2009
INCIDENTS
Klondike Gold Rush NHP
Ranger Vehicle Hit By Avalanche
While returning from an annual law enforcement refresher in Anchorage last Saturday night, chief ranger Tim Steidel and ranger Steve Edwards were momentarily buried and barely escaped a more dire predicament as a mass of snow fell onto their patrol vehicle from the adjacent mountainside. While descending White Pass approximately six miles outside of Skagway, Steidel, who was driving, noticed in the periphery of the headlights that a wave of snow was falling toward the passenger side of the windshield. In an effort to evade the bulk of the snow mass, Steidel veered into the oncoming lane and braced in expectation of the vehicle being pushed from the roadway. In that second, everything went black as the snow completely covered the vehicle's windshield and piled into the passenger side with an audible “whomp,” nudging the vehicle sideways. Seconds later, the rangers found themselves clear of the snow debris and accelerated back onto open roadway, not taking the time to stop and look back in fear of a second or larger avalanche completely overcoming them. The rangers reported the slide to US Customs a mile below the avalanche site and the highway was closed Sunday morning by the Alaska Department of Transportation until it could be cleared of snow and debris. Colder temperatures have resulted in drier powdery snow and smaller point release avalanches, which spared the vehicle and occupants further damage and injury. Had temperatures been warmer, larger and heavier snow debris could have easily resulted in knocking the vehicle off the road and burying it until found. This incident serves as a reminder of the hazards of traveling in winter in Alaska and of the importance of winter preparedness for cold temperature travel. Prior to the drive to Anchorage, the park maintenance staff serviced the vehicle with studded tires, a new battery, and full annual maintenance. In addition, the park had just equipped each winter highway vehicle with survival kits, including sleeping bags, emergency food and water, shovel, snowshoes, and many other recommended items. As it happened, the rangers were also transporting the entire park radio cache, a satellite phone, and a SPOT messenger satellite tracker, which might have come in handy in the event of an overnight burial situation. Having just returned to the park from USS Arizona Memorial, Edwards experienced his first winter trip on an Alaskan Highway. When asked how he felt about the experience, Edwards replied “I think I'll do my winter shopping in Juneau in the future.” Juneau is accessible only by water or air. [Tim Steidel, Chief Ranger]
Baltimore Washington Parkway
Pedestrian Killed In Multiple Vehicle Accident
On the evening of February 10th, a Nissan pickup stopped on the roadway on the ramp from the southbound lanes of the parkway to Route 50. A Nissan Sentra stopped behind the pickup to avoid hitting it. The driver of an approaching tour bus attempted to swerve to avoid them, but hit the Sentra, a pedestrian, and a third vehicle. The pedestrian - J.G., 41, of Washington, DC - was taken to a local hospital but did not survive. The Park Police are investigating. [Sergeant Robert Lachance, Public Information Officer]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS:
Servicewide - Today, February 12th, marks the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Several National Park Service sites commemorate events in Lincoln's life - from his birth and boyhood through his family and presidential experiences to his death - and will be holding remembrance events both today and through the week.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7341" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7341
National Interagency Fire Center - In response to a request from Australia for assistance in dealing with the country's unprecedented fires, NIFC is sending 60 wildfire specialists, two 13-person BAER teams, and a 20-person suppression team.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7343" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7343
Ford's Theatre NHS - A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held yesterday to mark the completion of a multi-million dollar renovation project, done in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of President Lincoln's birth.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7342" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7342
Youth Programs Division - On February 10th, the Corps Network presented its highest honor, the Federal Champion Award, to George McDonald, manager of the Service's Youth Programs Division, for his outstanding leadership on national service and, in particular, for his support of the Service and Conservation Corps.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2244" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2244
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Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363
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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