Katmai |  |
The following Incident Reports were extracted from the NPS Morning Reports/Coalition Reports from 1989-2025. They are not a complete record of all incidents which occurred in this park during this timeframe. INCIDENTS | |
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June 12, 1987 Location: South of Lake 592 Mr. D.M. was taking off in a DeHavalin Beaver with five passengers when the plane developed flap problems which caused it to crash into the tundra and skid to a halt. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but there were no injuries. The pilot was working for Enchanted Lake Lodge. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
Location: Naknek Lake C.B., an FAA employee from Washington, D.C., crashed while attempting to land his Cessna 185 airplane with amphibian floats on the lake at Brooks Camp in the developed area of the park. C.B., who had not been to Brooks Camp before, did not make a pass over the area to determine wind direction prior to attempting to land. The wind was blowing towards the Brooks Lodge at 20 to 25 miles per hour and the lake had a 1 1/2 to 2 foot chop with white caps. C.B. attempted a downwind landing, touching down about 200 yards from shore. With the tail wind and water action the plane did not slow as expected and he realized that he did not have enough room to take off again. Also realizing that he was going to hit the beach too fast C.B. started a right turn so that the wing would take the impact. The plane skidded 80 feet across the beach and slowly tipped into the trees coming to rest standing on its nose. C.B. and his three passengers were all uninjured in the crash. The propeller was severely bent, both wings, the floats and the float connections were also damaged. C.B. hopes to repair the plane on site. C.B. indicated that the downwind landing was the cause of the accident. At the time of the accident the American flag was flying in front of the lodge and the lake had white caps, both could have been used as indicators of wind direction.
On Friday evening, the incident command team reported that oil had reached the coast of Katmai at Big River, which is south of Cape Douglas. A 40- square-mile slick of mostly sheen was sighted two miles off the cape that same afternoon. Oil has also been found on the beaches of the Chugach and Barren Islands. A Park Service crew at Kenai Fjords has confirmed oil on the shoreline of Aialik Peninsula. Oil has also moved into Nuka Bay - up to James Lagoon in the East Arm and into Yalik Bay on the West Arm. A heavy oil mousse was reported in Granite Passage between the Harris Peninsula in Kenai Fjords and Granite Island in the adjacent wildlife refuge. Boom deployment for the protection of the Katmai coast is being handled out of Kodiak, and twelve vessels were sent to that location on Friday. Six of them have net equipment to break up the spill, and the remainder are carrying booms to be deployed according to NPS priorities for the protection of the Katmai coast. Demobilization of the incident command team continues in Homer and Seward as the operation is turned over to Exxon, Veco and the Coast Guard. Katmai intelligence gathering operations in Homer have been transferred to the incident command team at Kodiak, but will continue to be managed from Homer. (Boyd Evison, RD, ARO; Dave Ames, ARD, ARO; and John Quinley, PA/ARO).
As of yesterday, oil had been reported along the Katmai coast as far south as Missak Bay, generally in the form of tar balls and mousse. Poor weather in the area - rain, gale warnings, and seas to 18 feet - hampered oil tracking and resource assessment work. One vessel working along the Katmai coast was to return to Homer yesterday if weather permitted; two other boats are awaiting better weather to continue work there. Another boat is completing fish and intertidal surveys in Aniakchak Bay. The booms in James and McCarty Lagoons in Kenai Fjords remain damaged; repair depends on the arrival of materials. Overflights found high southeast winds pushing mousse and sheen into bays on the southern shore of lower Kenai Peninsula, including beaches at Gore Point. No oil has been seen north of English Bay on the peninsula. The weather prevented skimming operations in Nuka Passage which were planned for the 23rd. The Coast Guard has deployed 35 fishing vessels from Kodiak to spot and attempt to catch oil approaching Kodiak Island and the Katmai coast. Two fishing vessels have been deployed near Cape Douglas with 3,000 feet of boom to react to oil sightings. The staff of the Senate Energy Committee plans to visit Kenai Fjords on the 28th. (Boyd Evison, RD, ARO; Dave Ames, ARD, ARO; John Quinley, PA, ARO).
Exxon reports that 43,000 barrels of oil remain along the shoreline throughout the region, and that another 28,000 barrels remain on nearby waters. About 42,000 barrels have been recovered, and it's estimated that 127,000 barrels have evaporated. Here's a park by park breakdown of current activities. Katmai - Oil has now been found on the shore of Kashvik Bay, the southernmost bay in the park (see attached map). A team of NPS, BLM and FWS personnel from the shoreline assessment team walked about 2 1/2 miles of beach and found spots of oil every four to five feet from the waterline to the high tide mark. Oil and vegetation samples have been taken, and an intertidal plot was established. Oiled gulls were also observed. Weather along the coast has greatly improved, although strong surf has kept some crews off some beaches. One of the Katmai coastal boats has returned to Homer; a second boat will continue survey operations in the Hallo Bay and Cape Douglas areas; a third will continue working the southern coast of the park and intends to conduct surveys in Katmai Bay. Winds are up to 15 knots, seas are running from three to six feet, and rain and snow showers are occurring.
Katmai - Additional oil has been found on the beaches of Cape Douglas in the northeast corner of the park. The largest documented area was a continuous concentration of oil measuring 550 feet by 10 feet, with an average depth of two to four inches. The team which found the oil patch also found and photographed 108 dead, oiled murres on the beach and observed 20 oiled, living gulls. A sample of the dead birds was taken for evidence. A heavy mousse was also reported off shore which ran for 20 miles from Cape Douglas south to Kiukpalik Island. A second Katmai boat reported mousse at the head of Kaflia Bay near the middle of the park's coastline. No oiled birds were observed.
Katmai - A team working in the area of Hallo Bay on the central Katmai coast picked up 524 dead, oiled birds along 1 1/2 miles of coastline. The crew ran out of disposal bags and could not continue collecting carcasses on the remaining six miles of beach. The state Department of Environmental Conservation classifies Hallo Bay as having "light impact" from oil. These classifications refer to the volume of oil relative to the heaviest oiling in Prince William Sound, however, and do not refer to wildlife mortality or the short or long-term effects of the spill on flora, fauna and ecosystems. The regional offices is planning on replacing key personnel who have been working in Kodiak and on the Katmai coast for three weeks with no days off.
Overview - On the 6th, Admiral Robbins of the USCG visited the Katmai coast to view oil impacted areas. On the 7th, Congressman Bruce Vento visited Kenai Fjords and Katmai with Regional Director Boyd Evison. Katmai - Air operations were hampered on the 6th and 7th due to poor weather in the area. A fishing boat working off Cape Douglas reported retrieving more dead birds, with about 20% to 30% having been scavenged. More mousse was reported on the east and south shores of the cape on the 6th, and dead birds were seen floating in the oil. A second fishing boat off Hallo Bay reported seeing three bears eating dead, oiled birds. The crew picked up 55 dead birds from a beach in the bay and 33 more from a nearby island.
Katmai - Beach cleanup has begun in the park. Crews contracted for by Exxon will be picking up oiled debris from beaches, beginning with Hallo Bay. A crew of 20 people is being employed there; some crew members are working on the beach, while others are shuttling bags and barrels of oiled material to a command ship offshore. Low impact cleanup techniques will be employed along the coast. The crews will be collecting oiled, dead wildlife and oiled debris, and will be allowed to remove only the first inch of oiled beach sand with hand tools. Any mechanical cleanup or deeper cleanup of oiled beaches will not occur until a further analysis of effects is conducted. NPS rangers will be with the cleanup crews to oversee the operation and provide protection from bears. ATV's will be allowed below the mean high tide line to help move bags and barrels of oiled material to the waterline for transfer off the beach.
Overview - The weather from lower Kenai Peninsula to the Katmai coast has been severe, with gale warnings, winds at 45 knots with gusts to 65 knots, and 20 foot seas. The outlook through Friday is for calmer winds and 5 foot seas. More than 250 people have worked or are currently working for the region either full-time or part-time on the spill response. The cost to date for this effort is about $2.1 million. The estimated cost for the remainder of the fiscal year is an additional $2.5 million. Personnel are now being brought in from throughout the NPS to work on the spill response. A video briefing on the Katmai coastal situation for WASO and other parties should be available next week. It is being prepared in Kodiak by Jim Boyd from Albright FDC. Tort claims investigators are assembling their final reports in Seward. The Kodiak incident command post will be moved to a larger location this week. IC team members have worked out of two hotel rooms since early last month. Katmai - Skimming operations occurred in Kukak Bay on the 9th, and beach cleanup has begun in Hallo Bay. The on-shore work is being supported by a 40-foot landing craft. An NPS representative is accompanying Exxon's Shoreline Cleanup Advisory Team (SCAT) to Shaw Island of the park's north coast.
Katmai - Cleanup continues along the park's beaches. On the 19th, one cleanup ship reported collecting about 1,600 bags (about 64,000 pounds) of oiled debris. Oiled, dead birds continued to wash ashore. On the 19th Exxon contract employee shot and killed a brown bear that was charging a cleanup crew. Investigators have found that the shooting was a legitimate defense of life. According to witnesses, the crew was attempting to rescue an oiled eagle about 1,000' inland from the beach when the bear charged. It was shot at a distance of about 16'. The employee had been hired as a bear protection guard before NPS personnel were on board, and had been authorized to carry a shotgun. An armed NPS ranger was on the beach, but was with another group of cleanup workers at the time. NPS rangers are now the only armed members of beach parties, and crews have been directed not to go above the beach line.
Poor weather limited operations over much of the weekend in both areas. One cleanup boat had to leave the Katmai coast and take shelter in a bay off Kodiak Island, and others have restricted their activities to sheltered bays on the coast. Cleanup continues in Chiniak Bay. Boat crews report that storms and tides are lifting old oil, suspending it, and redistributing it. Exxon contractors report collecting 17,378 bags of oiled debris and sand at Kenai Fjords as of the 26th. Fifteen. NPS resource protection officers from park areas across the country are working with Exxon/Veco crews on beach cleanup in that park. CSIIA is inspecting the Exxon/Veco boats working in Kenai after sanitation problems were reported. NPS personnel have already been eissigned to other boats because of safety and sanitation concerns. (John Quinley, PA/ARO, via telefax: to RAD/WASO).
On June 12th, seasonal ranger B.A. dislocated his shoulder while climbing Mt. LaGorce on a lieu day. B.A. had a radio with him, and called for assistance. A five-person rescue party was sent from the park office and brought him out. He was treated and released, and is now back at his Brooks Camp duty station. (CompuServe message from RAD/ARO, 6/13).
A tour bus with 22 passengers on board travelling at about five miles per hour rolled off the road in the valley of 10,000 Smokes on the 16th, injuring six passengers. The bus rolled as many as three times before coming to rest in a ravine. All passengers were transported to Camai Naknek Medical Center. The six injured visitors were then taken to Anchorage for treatment. One had a broken foot, one had a broken collar bone, two had possible back injuries, and two had possible internal injuries. NPS rangers, borough police, FWS and Air Force personnel, and local air charter services and rescue squads all participated in the rescue. (Dave Nemeth, KATM, via telefax from RAD/ARO, 8/17).
A state biologist spotted a "HELP" distress signal and fire in the park on September 9th, landed, and came upon M.H., 24, of Palmer, Alaska, who reported that his partner, D.V., 36, of Lakewood, Colorado, was missing from his hunting camp on Lake 584. Rangers Joel Collins and Steve Hurd, assisted by an air service pilot and a state trooper, searched the area and spotted D.V. at a lake six miles west of Lake 584. Collins then returned to retrieve M.H. While doing so, M.H. told Collins that he had killed two bears in defense of his life. Hurd and D.V. then arrived, and Hurd observed game meat, later identified as moose, hanging in three bags about a foot above the ground, and two dead, two to threeyearold brown bears near the bags. M.H. said that he and D.V. had killed the moose on the 4th. After D.V. left to fill his moose tag, M.H. said that he returned to the kill site and had come upon the two bears. He said that he fire five rounds from a .22 handgun, but the bears refused to move. When he left and returned to camp, one of the bears reportedly followed him. He fired six more rounds from the .22 toward the bear without effect. When the bear arrived in camp and was not put off by additional shots, M.H. said he shot it with a .300 caliber rifle. He shot the bear twice more as it retreated. M.H. said he did not skin it because he was concerned about his missing partner. When D.V. did not return to the camp, M.H. set up the distress sign. While awaiting discovery, M.H. said he heard another bear approach his camp, and saw it take down a bag of hanging meat. When it allegedly threatened him, he shot and killed it. The park fined M.H. for improper food storage, and the state has charged him with illegal taking of bear. [Telefax from RAD/ARO, 9/16]
Based on interpretations of satellite images received early yesterday morning, the National Weather Service has reported a possible eruption of Mount Mageik in Katmai. The FAA has apparently received at least one pilot report which would confirm an eruption. FAA has accordingly imposed a ten-mile radius flight restriction below 60,000 feet, and reports have been received of several commercial flights being delayed in Seattle and the possible re-routing of some international flights. Although the Coast Guard issued a press release announcing the eruption, the U.S. Geological Service strongly doubts that any eruption took place, as they've recorded no unusual seismic activity. They feel that the cloud may be weather-related or an unusual steam event. [SEAdog message from Jack Morehead, RD, ARO, 3/3]
The chief of the Aleknagik tribal nation flew over Katmai in his single-engine Cessna 170 early in September, shot a caribou in the park the same day, and landed to pick up the kill. As he taxied the Cessna to the kill site, he damaged the propeller and had to call for assistance. He was subsequently contacted by state troopers. When they questioned him about his hunting activity, they found that he did not have a license. He claimed tribal sovereignty, and said that he didn't need a license because he does not recognize either state or federal lands. The troopers cited him and seized his aircraft. The troopers checked the Cessna, fixed numerous safety problems, then flew the plane from King Salmon to Anchorage on the 17th. While over Lake Alumna, the engine stopped. By luck, a Piper Cub was nearby, saw the plane, and heard the distress call. The disabled Cessna landed without incident, and the Piper Cub followed it down. No one was injured. The plane is being brought to Port Alsworth, where the state will install a new engine in it and try to get it to Anchorage between eruptions of Mt. Spur. [Steve Shackleton, RLES, RAD/ARO, 9/17]
Peter J. McCarlo, 54, a seasonal maintenance worker at the park, died on the evening of June 9th at Brooks Camp. He was found suffering from cardiac arrest at his residence shortly after 9 p.m. CPR was begun and he was flown by park aircraft to a nearby clinic, where he was pronounced dead at around 10:30 p.m. McCarlo had worked at the park for two seasons. [Steve Holder, ARO, 6/10]
A search is underway for S.E., 39, a park volunteer, who was swept downstream while attempting to cross Lethe Creek with two other off-duty employees on Sunday, September 17th. S.E.'s companions reached safety on a nearby gravel bar, but she was swept away. They began a search for her and reported her missing at 11:30 a.m. A ten-person search party from Brooks Camp looked for her, but without success. The Alaska Field Area's all risk management team (ARM) assumed responsibility for the search on the following morning, and deployed helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and dog teams. Additional resources were brought in yesterday. The search area is in an extremely dangerous gorge, composed of loose, unstable sandstone, with steep rapids immediately downstream from the point where S.E. was last seen. The river is not navigable by boat. Strong winds and rain have hampered search efforts. S.E. and her companions are all experienced backpackers, and had hiked this route before. They'd safely crossed the creek in approximately the same spot three days earlier, but the river level had risen during the interlude. S.E. is a native of India. She has lived in the United States for several years, and has worked as a full time volunteer in the park for four summers, performing work in interpretation, protection, and resource management. [Maria Gillett, IO, ARM Team]
A pack believed to belong to S.E. was recovered from Lethe Creek yesterday evening. S.E. has been missing since last Sunday, when she was swept downstream as she crossed the creek with two other park employees. The pack was found approximately five miles downstream from the point S.E. was last seen and about one mile upstream from the Three Forks confluence. Searchers continued to fly the area yesterday, and plan to continue today, weather permitting. The water level in Lethe Creek has gone down, but high winds continue to hamper search efforts. [Maria Gillett, IO, ARM Team]
A locally chartered Beaver float plane with three park employees on board stalled on takeoff from Brooks Lake and crashed 125 yards offshore in about four feet of water on the morning of September 24th. The pilot and employees P.W. and D.W. and H.M.B. suffered minor injuries. The three were leaving the area following the closure of Brooks Camp for the season. A nearby float plane taxied to the accident scene and the pilot helped extricate the four occupants from the plane and get them to shore. They were evaluated and monitored on site by other park staff and by a physician who happened to be visiting the area. All suffered from hypothermia. The park's chief ranger and a refuge officer from Becharof Wildlife Refuge flew to the area separately to evacuate the four victims, but decided not to land due to the hazards of taking off in existing weather conditions. They were evacuated the following day and taken to a medical facility for treatment. Severe storms with 40 knot winds, hail and snow passed through the area throughout the day, making it necessary to fly in between cells. Weather conditions at the time of the accident consisted of winds of over 35 knots, light turbulence, rain, a temperature of 40 degrees, and two to three foot waves in protected waters. The left wing and both floats of the Beaver were sheared off on impact. The cause of the accident is under investigation by OAS and NTSB. [James Hummel, CR, KATM]
The park received a report of a boat burning on a river within park waters on August 12th. An interagency response was initiated which involved park personnel, area firefighters and an oil spill team from a nearby Air Force base. The vessel, a 45-foot cabin cruiser with 300 gallons of fuel on board, was fully engulfed upon arrival. The three occupants had escaped. Due to the intense heat and smoke, firefighters had to stand off until the boat burned to the water line; meanwhile, park and Air Force personnel placed a boom and containment material downstream from the boat, which was producing a fuel sheen. The boat eventually sank in 12 feet of water. Spilled fluids were contained, but the boat was a total loss. The spill occurred in world class rainbow trout habitat and along a corridor that is a concentration area for one of the world's largest sockeye salmon runs. This is the second vessel sinking and spill to occur in the park this season. In the first incident, a fishing vessel ran around on a rocky islet, then sank with about a thousand gallons of fuel still aboard. Wreckage was left along a two-mile stretch of coastline. All of the boat's occupants were rescued by the Coast Guard. The captain of the vessel was subsequently arrested when it was learned that his blood alcohol level was .15, that he was asleep at the time of the accident, and that there were outstanding warrants against him. The islet serves as a haul-out point for Stellar sea lions, a threatened marine species. [James Hummel, KATM, 8/12]
On the weekend of October 3rd, brown bears entered and damaged 19 buildings at Brooks Camp. The damage included broken-down doors, broken windows, and destruction of an employee dryer, mattresses, and tools and equipment. The bears were also able to break down doors and obtain food from a dry storage cache. This is the most extensive damage by bears that this area has ever experienced. Damage is estimated at between $8,000 and $10,000. The park has issued an emergency closure for the camp's developed area on the north side of the Brooks River which will remain in effect until further notice. The south side remains open to the public. Approximately 90 percent of all buildings have been secured with electric fencing, which is keeping the bears at bay. [Karen Gustin, Unit Manager, KATM, 10/10]
G.A., 48, died while on a guided rafting trap on a park river on July 13th. The rafting party, which consisted of a guide and eight visitors on three rafts, departed on the morning of the 12th and soon encountered swift, high water conditions. Although they had planned a four-hour float to their first camp, this leg of the trip lasted about eight hours due the lack of available landing areas. The rafts entered a stretch of river in which numerous trees had been toppled over by high water conditions and were lying across the width of the creek. These downed trees, referred to as "sweepers" and "strainers," could not be circumvented; two of the three rafts struck a sweeper, flipped, and threw all six occupants into the water. Four of them were able to reach shore, but G.A. and another member of the group were swept downstream and ran into another sweeper. Due to the swift current and the apparent presence of hydraulic conditions, both were pulled underwater. G.A.'s partner was able to free himself and make it to shore, but G.A. failed to surface. A search was begun, but was hampered by the swift current, flooding, hazardous hydraulics, and the presence of numerous sweepers lying like match sticks across the river. Helicopter overflights were conducted while waiting for water levels to drop. G.A.'s body was located two days later about a half mile downstream on a gravel bar. G.A. was a former state legislator in Alabama. A board of inquiry into his death and a review of the commercial operator's actions are planned. [James Hummel, KATM, 7/22]
On September 6th, chief ranger Jim Hummel and ranger Brian McCullough were conducting an aerial patrol of the park when they spotted a new trespass cabin. A closer look revealed an aircraft, three people, an ATV and a bloody set of moose antlers near the cabin. Due to inhospitable terrain, a landing was considered imprudent, but rangers were able to covertly track the aircraft to its destination. The pilot was interviewed by Hummel on September 10th. The interview revealed the elements of a Lacey Act violation by a non-permitted big game guide on federal lands, illegal use of an ATV, and illegal consturction of a trespass cabin. As the antlers and moose were being confiscated, the guide changed his story, saying that the animal was taken by "friends" who were "unexpectedly" preparing to leave the state. Through the assistance of NPS special agent Scott Taylor and state game officer Dave Churchill, a former homicide investigator, a residential search warrant was received and executed - but not before the client had left the state. A computer and numerous records were seized, prompting later execution of an additional warrant to search the contents and files. The investigation continues. [Jim Hummel, CR, KATM, 9/30]
On September 16th, Fish and Wildlife Service refuge officer Bill Smoke and state game officer Dave Churchill were investigating two individuals in a "wanton waste" moose hunting case in an area adjoining refuge and park lands. During the operation, Smoke contacted Hummel, reporting that he was conducting CPR on an apparent heart attack victim and that he therefore couldn't fly him to King Salmon. The local ambulance service that was requested had to cancel its response after determining that the incident was too far outside its response area. Hummel flew to the location in a contract helicopter that happened to be nearby, arriving 45 minutes later. He found that Smoke was conducting CPR on Churchill. Churchill was taken by helicopter to Smoke's aircraft in an effort to expedite the return to King Salmon. Because of an unexpected drop in wind, extra passenger weight, and a short takeoff distance, Smoke was unable to safely take off. CPR was terminated after 90 minutes of effort due to exhaustion by the rescuers and the long time it would take to evacuate him. An autopsy showed that he'd died of a heart attack and that he had extensive arterial blockage. A memorial service was later conducted for Churchill, who was given full departmental honors. [Jim Hummel, CR, KATM, 9/30]
J.W, a commercial airplane pilot and resident of Anchorage, landed his private float plane at Naknek Lake near Brooks Camp on June 19th. J.W. was accompanied by his wife and two children. On June 20th, ranger Joe Manley advised J.W. that he might want to move his plane to Brooks Lake, as it would be protected from the east winds which had been blowing for two weeks. On the morning of June 21st, J.W. came to the ranger station to borrow a winch to pull the left float of his plane out of the water. Park staff helped him do so. J.W. then spent most of the day pumping out the plane's floats. The high winds blowing that day diminished by 10 p.m., so J.W. attempted to move the plane to a sheltered cove. Witnesses said that the left float was riding low in the water. A wave went over it, causing the plane's propeller to dip into the water. The plane then tipped over, submerging the left wing and left side of the aircraft. J.W., who was uninjured, climbed out of and on top of the plane and gave witnesses a thumbs up. The incident occurred about 80 feet off shore. A concession employee was first on scene and picked J.W. up. Rangers investigated the accident, and employees from other park divisions assisted with containment and clean- up of the fuel spill (less than five gallons of aviation fuel). The National Transportation Safety Board considered the event a "non-incident" since the plane was taxiing at the time of the accident. [Michael McGinnis, Acting CR, KATM, 6/25]
Pilot Rocky Underwood from Royal Wolf Lodge attempted a float plane takeoff from Kukaklek Lake on July 20th, but the Helio Courier's right wing tip struck the water when the left float lifted too high. The aircraft cartwheeled to the right and came to rest upside down on the lake's surface. Underwood, who was the only person on board, exited the aircraft through the cargo door. He was uninjured and was picked up by a fishing guide. There was substantial damage to the plane's left float. Ranger/pilots Alan Frazier and Tom O'Hara conducted the on-scene investigation. The FAA and NTSB investigations continue. [Michael McGinnis, Acting CR, KATM, 7/23]
Warm weather, heavy precipitation and hurricane-force winds have caused numerous avalanches and weather-related problems throughout south central Alaska. On Thursday, the governor declared that section of the state a disaster area. Headquarters at Kenai Fjords NP has been isolated by avalanches and the city of Seward is operating on generator power. One employee evacuated her residence after an avalanche came down in the subdivision. Katmai NP lost a roof on a storage building in King Salmon owned by the Air Force when it was struck by 110 mph winds. A total of eleven small aircraft were severely damaged by the high winds; three of them were torn loose from their tie-downs and overturned. No serious injuries were reported, but damage to structures in the area was widespread. Damage to park buildings has been limited to roofing and siding. Preceding the wind, the temperature rose from 24 degrees below zero to 40 degrees above in just three hours. The region's Type II incident management team has been put on alert by the Alaska Department of Emergency Services (ADES). Travel on roadways by NPS employees is being limited to essential activities. The NPS is cooperating with DOI and ADES efforts. A roster of personnel available for search and rescue operations is being assembled at the state's request. [Jay Liggett, RLES, ARO, 2/4]
A Cessna 206 float plane owned and operated by Katmai Air and a privately-owned Dehavilland Beaver collided while taxiing on the afternoon of June 23rd. The former had a pilot and five passengers on board, the latter had a pilot and six passengers. The accident occurred as the Cessna was beginning to take off and the Beaver, which had just landed, was taxiing to the beach. The right wing of the Cessna hit the prop of the Beaver, tearing half of the Cessna's wing off and sending debris through the windshield of the Beaver. Amazingly, the only injury was a small laceration to the pilot of the Beaver. The accident occurred a half mile from shore. A multi-divisional NPS and concession response was begun immediately. The Cessna was able to make it to shore under its own power; concession and park boats towed the Beaver to the beach. The cause of the accident is still under investigation and review by the NTSB, FAA and NPS. Ranger Pavia Wald is leading the investigation. [Chris Pergiel, CR, KATM, 6/23]
Concession employees advised rangers of an overdue party on the afternoon of August 8th. The couple had departed from Brooks Camp the previous day on a two-hour canoe trip. An air search was begun immediately, and a swamped and beached canoe was found within 15 minutes on Naknek Lake across from Brooks Camp. Rangers found the body of Atsushi Sugiura entangled with the canoe, his life jacket still on. Efforts are currently focused on the search for his wife, Naomi. A life jacket and other personal effects were found washed up on a beach nearby. Twenty NPS personnel are assigned to the incident. Ranger Ed Dunlavey is IC. [Chris Pergiel, CR, KATM, 8/8]
On August 8th, rangers began a search for an overdue Japanese couple who had been canoeing on Naknek Lake across from Brooks Camp. They found the body of A.S. entangled with the canoe, his life jacket still on, but there was no sign of his wife, N.S. An active search for her continued through August 20th. Sophisticated side-scan sonar was used to search the primary underwater search segments, which covered about 3,000 acres. Despite over 1700 hours of search time, her body has not yet been found. Much of the searching was done by the Trident Foundation, a non-profit service organization, and was funded by private donations. The Trident group came with equipment and seven team members who specialize in aquatic emergencies. Glen Canyon NRA dive team leader Pat Horning, a member of Trident, was part of the team that assisted in the search. Ranger Ed Dunlavey was IC. [Chris Pergiel, CR, KATM, 9/5]
Ranger/pilot Tom O'Hara, 41, was killed on Thursday, December 19, when his plane went down on the tundra east of Upper Ugashik Lake. His passenger, Corey Adler, 30, a biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Service, survived the crash and is hospitalized in Anchorage in stable condition. The two flew out of King Salmon on Thursday to conduct a moose tracking survey in Alaska Peninsula NWR. When they failed to return in accordance with their flight plan, the Rescue Coordination Center dispatched an Alaska Air National Guard C-130 and a Coast Guard UH-60 helicopter to search for them. At first light on Friday, fourteen single-engine aircraft and a helicopter flew out of King Salmon in search efforts coordinated by the NPS, Fish and Wildlife Service and Alaska State Troopers. Most were piloted by volunteers and friends of Tom, who was a life-long resident of the Bristol Bay area. The crash site was found late in the afternoon, and Adler was evacuated to Naknek. A joint investigation is being conducted by state troopers and officials from NTSB, FAA and OAS. Tom O'Hara had logged over 11,000 hours as a pilot in command. He had a dozen years of service as a commercial pilot in the Bristol area, and had provided aerial support for Katmai and Lake Clark NP's, Alagnak Wild River, Aniakchak NM, and other Department of Interior agencies. Tom was a dedicated employee, son, husband, father, and community member. His passions were his family, flying, and stewardship of the resources and lifestyle of rural Alaska. Tom was active in his community of Naknek-King Salmon where he grew up. He was the assistant wrestling coach for the junior high and high school team, and was active in his church at all levels, most notably flying children to bible camps. His co-workers describe him as energetic and exuberant. He provided a strong link between the residents of Bristol Bay and the National Park Service which will be missed. Tom is survived by his wife, Lucy, and their three young children. Memorial services in celebration of his extraordinary life will be held on Friday, December 27, in Naknek. His family asks that donations be made in lieu of flowers to a memorial fund in Tom's name for his children. Donations can be made to Tom O'Hara Memorial Fund, Wells Fargo, King Salmon Alaska branch, Account # 5198027038, Routing # 125200057. Letters of condolences can be sent to Lucy O'Hara, PO Box 252, King Salmon, AK 99613. At the request of the family, uniforms are optional at the service. No defensive equipment is to be worn. The uniform of the day is service winter dress, with outer wear recommended. UPDATE, 11:30 a.m. EST, 12/23 The following message has been issued by Deputy Director Murphy regarding attendance at the funeral: "Last week, the National Park Service lost Tom O'Hara, one of its finest, in the line of duty as a result of an aviation accident. Tom was a protection ranger and pilot at Katmai National Park and Preserve. "Arrangements are being made to have former Katmai National Park and Preserve employees, who are also close family friends, represent all of the regions at the memorial service in Alaska. To date, this involves employees currently located in the Pacific West, Intermountain and Midwest Regions. I am authorizing their attendance using regional funds. In addition, each park in the Alaska region will be represented. If additional employees of the National Park Service wish to attend, please contact Karen Weerheim at 907-257-2687 for information on what commercial air services might be available. It is anticipated that there may be transportation logistical difficulties. "Additional details, including an address for condolence letters and a memorial donation account, can be found in InsideNPS and the Morning Report. Thank you for the support of Tom's family, the park, and the National Park Service family." [Submitted by Joe Fowler]
Ranger/pilot Tom O'Hara, 41, was killed on Thursday, December 19, when his plane went down on the tundra east of Upper Ugashik Lake. His passenger, Corey Adler, 30, a biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Service, survived the crash and is hospitalized in Anchorage in stable condition. The two flew out of King Salmon on Thursday to conduct a moose tracking survey in Alaska Peninsula NWR. When they failed to return in accordance with their flight plan, the Rescue Coordination Center dispatched an Alaska Air National Guard C-130 and a Coast Guard UH-60 helicopter to search for them. At first light on Friday, fourteen single-engine aircraft and a helicopter flew out of King Salmon in search efforts coordinated by the NPS, Fish and Wildlife Service and Alaska State Troopers. Most were piloted by volunteers and friends of Tom, who was a life-long resident of the Bristol Bay area. The crash site was found late in the afternoon, and Adler was evacuated to Naknek. A joint investigation is being conducted by state troopers and officials from NTSB, FAA and OAS. Tom O'Hara had logged over 11,000 hours as a pilot in command. He had a dozen years of service as a commercial pilot in the Bristol area, and had provided aerial support for Katmai and Lake Clark NP's, Alagnak Wild River, Aniakchak NM, and other Department of Interior agencies. Tom was a dedicated employee, son, husband, father, and community member. His passions were his family, flying, and stewardship of the resources and lifestyle of rural Alaska. Tom was active in his community of Naknek-King Salmon where he grew up. He was the assistant wrestling coach for the junior high and high school team, and was active in his church at all levels, most notably flying children to bible camps. His co-workers describe him as energetic and exuberant. He provided a strong link between the residents of Bristol Bay and the National Park Service which will be missed. Tom is survived by his wife, Lucy, and their three young children. Memorial services in celebration of his extraordinary life will be held on Friday, December 27, in Naknek. His family asks that donations be made in lieu of flowers to a memorial fund in Tom's name for his children. Donations can be made to Tom O'Hara Memorial Fund, Wells Fargo, King Salmon Alaska branch, Account # 5198027038, Routing # 125200057. Letters of condolences can be sent to Lucy O'Hara, PO Box 252, King Salmon, AK 99613. At the request of the family, uniforms are optional at the service. No defensive equipment is to be worn. The uniform of the day is service winter dress, with outer wear recommended. UPDATE, 11:30 a.m. EST, 12/23 The following message has been issued by Deputy Director Murphy regarding attendance at the funeral: "Last week, the National Park Service lost Tom O'Hara, one of its finest, in the line of duty as a result of an aviation accident. Tom was a protection ranger and pilot at Katmai National Park and Preserve. "Arrangements are being made to have former Katmai National Park and Preserve employees, who are also close family friends, represent all of the regions at the memorial service in Alaska. To date, this involves employees currently located in the Pacific West, Intermountain and Midwest Regions. I am authorizing their attendance using regional funds. In addition, each park in the Alaska region will be represented. If additional employees of the National Park Service wish to attend, please contact Karen Weerheim at 907-257-2687 for information on what commercial air services might be available. It is anticipated that there may be transportation logistical difficulties. "Additional details, including an address for condolence letters and a memorial donation account, can be found in InsideNPS and the Morning Report. Thank you for the support of Tom's family, the park, and the National Park Service family." [Submitted by Joe Fowler]
Ranger/pilot Tom O'Hara, 41, was killed on Thursday, December 19, when his plane went down on the tundra east of Upper Ugashik Lake. His passenger, Corey Adler, 30, a biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Service, survived the crash and is hospitalized in Anchorage in stable condition. The two flew out of King Salmon on Thursday to conduct a moose tracking survey in Alaska Peninsula NWR. When they failed to return in accordance with their flight plan, the Rescue Coordination Center dispatched an Alaska Air National Guard C-130 and a Coast Guard UH-60 helicopter to search for them. At first light on Friday, fourteen single-engine aircraft and a helicopter flew out of King Salmon in search efforts coordinated by the NPS, Fish and Wildlife Service and Alaska State Troopers. Most were piloted by volunteers and friends of Tom, who was a life-long resident of the Bristol Bay area. The crash site was found late in the afternoon, and Adler was evacuated to Naknek. A joint investigation is being conducted by state troopers and officials from NTSB, FAA and OAS. Tom O'Hara had logged over 11,000 hours as a pilot in command. He had a dozen years of service as a commercial pilot in the Bristol area, and had provided aerial support for Katmai and Lake Clark NP's, Alagnak Wild River, Aniakchak NM, and other Department of Interior agencies. Tom was a dedicated employee, son, husband, father, and community member. His passions were his family, flying, and stewardship of the resources and lifestyle of rural Alaska. Tom was active in his community of Naknek-King Salmon where he grew up. He was the assistant wrestling coach for the junior high and high school team, and was active in his church at all levels, most notably flying children to bible camps. His co-workers describe him as energetic and exuberant. He provided a strong link between the residents of Bristol Bay and the National Park Service which will be missed. Tom is survived by his wife, Lucy, and their three young children. Memorial services in celebration of his extraordinary life will be held on Friday, December 27, in Naknek. His family asks that donations be made in lieu of flowers to a memorial fund in Tom's name for his children. Donations can be made to Tom O'Hara Memorial Fund, Wells Fargo, King Salmon Alaska branch, Account # 5198027038, Routing # 125200057. Letters of condolences can be sent to Lucy O'Hara, PO Box 252, King Salmon, AK 99613. At the request of the family, uniforms are optional at the service. No defensive equipment is to be worn. The uniform of the day is service winter dress, with outer wear recommended. The following message was issued yesterday by Deputy Director Murphy regarding attendance at the funeral: "Last week, the National Park Service lost Tom O'Hara, one of its finest, in the line of duty as a result of an aviation accident. Tom was a protection ranger and pilot at Katmai National Park and Preserve. Arrangements are being made to have former Katmai National Park and Preserve employees, who are also close family friends, represent all of the regions at the memorial service in Alaska. To date, this involves employees currently located in the Pacific West, Intermountain and Midwest Regions. I am authorizing their attendance using regional funds. In addition, each park in the Alaska region will be represented. If additional employees of the National Park Service wish to attend, please contact Karen Weerheim at 907-257-2687 for information on what commercial air services might be available. It is anticipated that there may be transportation logistical difficulties. Additional details, including an address for condolence letters and a memorial donation account, can be found in InsideNPS and the Morning Report. Thank you for the support of Tom's family, the park, and the National Park Service family." UPDATE, 11:30 a.m. EST, 12/24: By order of the Secretary of the Interior, all flags are to be lowered to half staff, effective immediately and continuing until sunset on Friday, December 27. Uniformed employees are authorized to wear black bands on their badges; non-uniformed employees may wear black mourning devices such as were worn after the 9/11 attack on the Trade Center. This will also be effective through Friday, December 27. [Submitted by Joe Fowler]
Ranger/pilot Tom O'Hara, 41, was killed on Friday, December 20 (corrected from previous reports), when his plane went down on the tundra east of Upper Ugashik Lake. His passenger, Corey Adler, 30, a biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Service, survived the crash and is hospitalized in Anchorage in stable condition. The two flew out of King Salmon on Thursday to conduct a moose tracking survey in Alaska Peninsula NWR. When they failed to return in accordance with their flight plan, the Rescue Coordination Center dispatched an Alaska Air National Guard C-130 and a Coast Guard UH-60 helicopter to search for them. At first light on Friday, fourteen single-engine aircraft and a helicopter flew out of King Salmon in search efforts coordinated by the NPS, Fish and Wildlife Service and Alaska State Troopers. Most were piloted by volunteers and friends of Tom, who was a life-long resident of the Bristol Bay area. The crash site was found late in the afternoon, and Adler was evacuated to Naknek. A joint investigation is being conducted by state troopers and officials from NTSB, FAA and OAS. Tom O'Hara had logged over 11,000 hours as a pilot in command. He had a dozen years of service as a commercial pilot in the Bristol area, and had provided aerial support for Katmai and Lake Clark NP's, Alagnak Wild River, Aniakchak NM, and other Department of Interior agencies. Tom was a dedicated employee, son, husband, father, and community member. His passions were his family, flying, and stewardship of the resources and lifestyle of rural Alaska. Tom was active in his community of Naknek-King Salmon where he grew up. He was the assistant wrestling coach for the junior high and high school team, and was active in his church at all levels, most notably flying children to bible camps. His co-workers describe him as energetic and exuberant. He provided a strong link between the residents of Bristol Bay and the National Park Service which will be missed. Tom is survived by his wife, Lucy, and their three young children. Memorial services in celebration of his extraordinary life will be held on Friday, December 27, in Naknek. His family asks that donations be made in lieu of flowers to a memorial fund in Tom's name for his children. Donations can be made to Tom O'Hara Memorial Fund, Wells Fargo, King Salmon Alaska branch, Account # 5198027038, Routing # 125200057. Letters of condolences can be sent to Lucy O'Hara, PO Box 252, King Salmon, AK 99613. At the request of the family, uniforms are optional at the service. No defensive equipment is to be worn. The uniform of the day is service winter dress, with outer wear recommended. The following message was issued yesterday by Deputy Director Murphy regarding attendance at the funeral: "Last week, the National Park Service lost Tom O'Hara, one of its finest, in the line of duty as a result of an aviation accident. Tom was a protection ranger and pilot at Katmai National Park and Preserve. Arrangements are being made to have former Katmai National Park and Preserve employees, who are also close family friends, represent all of the regions at the memorial service in Alaska. To date, this involves employees currently located in the Pacific West, Intermountain and Midwest Regions. I am authorizing their attendance using regional funds. In addition, each park in the Alaska region will be represented. If additional employees of the National Park Service wish to attend, please contact Karen Weerheim at 907-257-2687 for information on what commercial air services might be available. It is anticipated that there may be transportation logistical difficulties. Additional details, including an address for condolence letters and a memorial donation account, can be found in InsideNPS and the Morning Report. Thank you for the support of Tom's family, the park, and the National Park Service family." UPDATE, 11:30 a.m. EST, 12/24: By order of the Secretary of the Interior, all flags are to be lowered to half staff, effective immediately and continuing until sunset on Friday, December 27. Uniformed employees are authorized to wear black bands on their badges; non-uniformed employees may wear black mourning devices such as were worn after the 9/11 attack on the Trade Center. This will also be effective through Friday, December 27. UPDATE, 1 p.m. EST, 12/26: Additional information: The park address for those who would like to send notes to park employees is Katmai National Park and Preserve, PO Box 7, King Salmon, AK 99613. The complete address for Wells Fargo donations is Wells Fargo, PO Box 458, King Salmon, AK 99613. Tom's father, for those wishing to send condolences, is D.O. [Submitted by Joe Fowler]
Preliminary reports have been received of two bear mauling fatalities
at Kaflia Bay on the park's coast. An air taxi operator who flew to the
area to check on his clients found the bodies, one of whom is likely a
nationally-known "bear expert." Alaska state troopers from Kodiak are
heading the investigation; the park has dispatched a pilot and ranger to
the scene.
Two campers were found dead Monday afternoon at a lake adjacent to
Kaflia Bay. Both had been mauled by one or more bears. The campers were
T.T., 46, and A.H., 37, both of Malibu,
California, who were to be picked up from a camping and bear-watching
trip by a Kodiak air taxi operator. T.T. is well-known as the
founder of Grizzly People, an organization whose mission is to help
preserve bears and their habitat through educational efforts. The pilot
for Andrew Airways, who had flown to the site to pick up T.T. and
A.H., contacted national park rangers and the Alaska State Troopers
who, in turn, flew to the remote site later that afternoon. While at the
site, two brown bears were shot and killed in self defense. The first
bear was identified by the Andrew Airways pilot as one which had been
feeding on the victims. The bear was shot at close range after it
charged park rangers at the campsite. A second bear was shot after it
approached rangers and troopers who were loading the plane. T.T.'s
campsite was in a fairly brushy area with poor visibility. Tents and
camp gear were found partially damaged, and one or more bears had buried
some human remains near the camp. While what attracted bears to the camp
is not clear, rangers said T.T. located his camp near several
active bear trails and that a late run of salmon comes through the lakes
and nearby stream, also attracting bears. Choosing that kind of a
location runs counter to advice the NPS provides to park visitors using
the backcountry. The Kaflia Bay lakes are not frequently used by
visitors, although other areas along the Katmai coast are increasingly
popular for guided bear watching trips. Bear watching expeditions along
the coast, both by individuals and through licensed commercial guides,
have a good safety record. Park managers believe this is the first bear
related fatality in the park's 85-year history. The joint investigation
of the incident by the Alaska State Troopers and the National Park
Service was suspended Tuesday due to poor weather conditions, but
rangers and other investigators hoped to revisit the site yesterday.
Kaflia Bay and adjacent areas from the high tide line upslope to beyond
the camping area have been closed to visitor use. Detailed information
on the closure area is available from park headquarters in King Salmon
at 907-246-3305. b
Rangers and officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Department of Fish and Game returned to the park's coast last Wednesday afternoon to perform a field necropsy on the two bears that were killed in self defense while rangers and state troopers were recovering the remains of T.T. and A.H. on Monday. T.T. and A.H. were mauled and killed sometime between Sunday, October 5th, and the afternoon of Monday, October 6th. The necropsy of the larger bear revealed that its stomach contained human remains and clothing. Rangers believe the bear was feeding on human remains when an air taxi pilot arrived at the campsite on Monday afternoon. The bear was estimated to be about 28 years old and slightly underweight for this time of year, although it's estimated that he weighed more than 1,000 pounds. The bear had been captured in May, 1990, as part of a large bear study following the Exxon Valdez oil spill. That spring, the bear weighed about 850 pounds and was in average condition. The bear was shot Monday as it came within about ten feet of rangers and troopers. Although this bear had human remains in its stomach, it can not be proved conclusively that this was the bear that killed the campers. The second, smaller bear was found partially buried in a mound and consumed by another bear. While the remains were inconclusive, biologists said its size and behavior lead them to believe the bear was a young male. There was not enough physical evidence to complete a full necropsy, although human remains were not found in its stomach. This bear was shot after it ignored warning yells and a warning shot and continued to approach rangers and troopers who were loading a plane on Monday afternoon. A closure to visitation remains in effect in the area surrounding the campsite. The closure will be lifted in early December when most bears in the area begin to hibernate. Photos of Kaflia Bay and the campsite area can be seen at http://www.nps.gov/akso/ Press/press.htm. [Submitted by Jane Tranel, Public Affairs, Alaska Regional Office]
On June 15th, ranger Jordan Barthold and maintenance mechanic John
Torzillo were on their way from Lake Camp to Brooks Camp on Naknek Lake
in the park boat when it began to sink. Park dispatch received an SOS
message from Barthold, reporting their condition and asking for help.
The boat had begun shipping water after each of its two outboard motors
stalled — first one, then the other. As four-foot waves spilled
over the stern, the boat quickly began to sink. Only minutes after
sending the message to dispatch, both men were clinging to the bow of
the boat, the only part not underwater. They held on for about 70
minutes before they were rescued. Both were taken to a local clinic,
where they were treated for cold water immersion and later
released.
Two errors in yesterday's report - both made by the editor, not the reporter - need to be corrected. The boat's motors were inboards, not outboards, and the reference to the "two men" was erroneous in that Jordan Barthold does not fall into that category. My apologies to her. The corrected version follows. On June 15th, ranger Jordan Barthold and maintenance mechanic John Torzillo were on their way from Lake Camp to Brooks Camp on Naknek Lake in the park boat when it began to sink. Park dispatch received an SOS message from Barthold, reporting their condition and asking for help. The boat had begun shipping water after each of its two inboard motors stalled — first one, then the other. As four-foot waves spilled over the stern, the boat quickly began to sink. Only minutes after sending the message to dispatch, both Barthold and Torzillo were clinging to the bow of the boat, the only part not underwater. They held on for about 70 minutes before they were rescued by park employees Jim Gavin, Mike Fedorko and Greg Muller. Barthold and Torzillo were taken to a local clinic, where they were treated for cold water immersion and later released. [Submitted by Dona Taylor, Chief Ranger (and Bill Halainen, Editor, InsideNPS/Morning Report)]
Rangers are investigating the illegal killing of three brown bears in
the northern portion of Katmai National Preserve. The bears were
discovered late last week and the criminal investigation is
continuing.
The U.S. Geological Survey is currently monitoring the eruption of Augustine Volcano in Alaska that began on Wednesday with two explosions at the summit of the volcano. The alert level is classified at red, the highest level of concern. The volcano is located in Cook Inlet, about 180 miles southwest of Anchorage. Because of the volcano's location, the ash fall from a full scale eruption will likely have significant impacts on the regional office in Anchorage and on Lake Clark NP&P, Kenai Fjords NP and Katmai NP&P. Other areas may also be affected. The high alert level has prompted the regional office to issue a memorandum to all employees in Alaska with the following guidance: "In the event of ash fall in Anchorage the regional office will not be open for business until the event is over and it is considered safe to return to work. Affected parks may have to close as well - that discretion is up to the park superintendent. The health and safety of our employees is our main concern and ash fall can pose significant threats. Please read the tips below to insure your safety." On Wednesday, the eruption produced an ash plume that reached about 30,000 feet above sea level. The ash plume then detached from the volcanic vent, and winds blew the ash away from populated areas. USGS advises, however, that the volcano's status could change at any time. USGS expects this eruption may be similar to Augustine's eruptions in 1976 and 1986 when the volcanic ash was spread throughout and perhaps beyond Cook Inlet. Since spring 2005, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has been recording increasing unrest at Augustine Volcano. Rates of earthquake occurrence increased slowly from an average rate of one to two per day in early May, to three to four per day in October, and up to 15 per day in mid-December. Concurrent with this increase, USGS detected a small uplift of the volcano using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) instruments permanently installed on the mountain. In early and mid December, a number of small steam explosions were recorded by seismic instruments on the volcano. Views of the summit following these explosions revealed new steaming cracks and localized deposits of debris. In addition, airborne gas measurements and thermal imaging measurements showed an increase in the output of volcanic gas and heat at the summit of the volcano. The highest temperature recorded, on January 4, was 390 C (750 F). AVO interpreted these changes as a sign that new magma was accumulating beneath the volcano's summit. In response to this activity, AVO deployed additional seismometers, GPS receivers, an infrasound sensor, and time lapse cameras on the flanks of the volcano, and established a web-based camera system. Further deployment of additional monitoring equipment is ongoing and USGS will continue to monitor the activity closely. Further information on Augustine Volcano and related hazards and response plans can be found at the following web sites: HYPERLINK "http://www.avo.alaska.edu" www.avo.alaska.edu; ash-related information at HYPERLINK "http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash/"; NOAA and National Weather Service ash cloud trajectories and aviation warnings at HYPERLINK "http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/augustine.php", tsunami issues related to Augustine at HYPERLINK "http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/Augustine/AugustineWeb.htm"; and community preparedness at HYPERLINK "http://www.ak-prepared.com/plans/mitigation/volcano.htm".
Two men have each been charged with illegally killing two brown bears in Katmai National Preserve in late July 2004. An investigation by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Alaska State Troopers, and the State of Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory determined that the four brown bears at issue were illegally killed along Funnel Creek near Mirror Lake and were left to rot in violation of federal regulations. None of the meat, hides, or skulls were salvaged, according to court records. Two men in their 20s from Kokhanok, a village along Iliamna Lake, have been charged with taking wildlife in a national preserve in violation of National Park Service regulations. The case has been deemed particularly significant because it represents the largest known number of brown bears killed by poachers in a single incident in national parks in Alaska. While hunting is allowed in Katmai National Preserve, NPS regulations incorporate the hunting laws and regulations of the State of Alaska to control hunting there. The charges against the two men are based upon regulatory violations for hunting the bears during a closed season and failing to salvage the skulls and hides of the bears. Each violation is punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. The case also involved two juveniles who were previously prosecuted by the State of Alaska's Department of Law for offenses that included the illegal killing of a different bear in Katmai National Preserve. [United States Attorney's Office, District of Alaska]
A DeHavilland Beaver floatplane crashed just after takeoff along the Katmai Coast near Swikshak Lagoon in the northwest part of the park on September 21st, killing one of the passengers and injuring five others. The accident was reported around 2 p.m. that afternoon and a rescue response was coordinated with Kulis Air National Guard. Due to foul weather, high winds and limited fuel, pararescuers had less than five minutes to retrieve the survivors. Four of them were taken to Kodiak by the Air National Guard and the fifth was taken by another airplane to a fishing lodge on Lake Iliamna. Three of the survivors received medical treatment and were later released from the hospital in Kodiak. On September 23rd, a ranger and an Alaska state trooper flew by helicopter from King Salmon to the site of the plane crash. A second helicopter flew from Homer with NTSB, FAA and insurance representatives onboard to investigate the accident. The airplane was found to have broken into several sections. The body of Donald Bator, a retired 62-year-old Massachusetts computer analyst, was removed from the wreckage. Earlier attempts to access the crash site were restricted by extreme weather and wind conditions. [Dona Rutherford, Chief Ranger]
On November 2nd, S.N., 27, and T.K., 21,, both residents of Kokhanok, were each sentenced in federal court in Anchorage to 30 days imprisonment and a year's probation, including 40 hours of community service, upon their conviction for killing brown bears in the park. On separate occasions in late July and early August, 2004, S.N. and T.K. traveled by ATV from Kokhanok to Funnel Creek, an area used by flight-seeing services and lodges for bear viewing and fishing. Along the creek, each shot two brown bears, leaving the animals to go to waste without harvesting the hides, meat, or heads. Prior to imposing sentence, the magistrate judge noted that Alaska provides a unique opportunity to view wildlife, including brown bears, in their natural habitat, and that the animals need to be protected from illegal hunting. U.S. attorney Nelson Cohen commended the NPS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska State Troopers, and the state's Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory for their work in the investigation. [United States Attorney's Office, District of Alaska] HYPERLINK "http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/ap_alaska/story/8372526p-8267838c.html"
Four people died on the afternoon of Sunday, September 30th, when their aircraft crashed near Nonvianuk Lake. The pilot, a guide and two passengers from Royal Wolf Lodge were returning to the lodge from a fishing trip when the accident occurred. The pilot had contacted the lodge and advised them that he expected to be back at about 4 p.m. When the plane had not landed 45 minutes later, aircraft from the lodge were sent to search for it and the wreckage was found near the lodge. Lodge employees went by boat and hiked to the crash site and confirmed there were no survivors. The plane was a Helio Courier on floats. The bodies of the four crash victims remained at the site yesterday morning. Rangers and investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were on scene. Official notification to the families of the victims was still pending at the time of the report. The cause of the crash is not known. Nonvianuk Lake is in the northern portion of the Katmai National Park and Preserve, about 50 miles northwest of King Salmon. The lodge is on private property within the preserve. [John Quinley, Public Affairs Officer, Alaska Region]
Two park archeologists were forced to kill a brown bear on July 13th after it attacked them. The archeologists had been camping and working on an offshore Island for several days when a lone bear appeared at their campsite. The bear showed continued aggressive behavior towards both members of the crew and was not easily chased away from their campsite. Various means were employed to dissuade the bear from approaching, including loud noises, visual displays and at one point pepper spray. At no time did the bear obtain food or other items from the campsite. On the morning of July 13th, the bear made an unprovoked charge at one of the archeologists while the camp was being dismantled for departure. Both archeologists fired their weapons to stop the charge, resulting in the bear's death. The investigation remains open while additional information is collected. There were no injuries to either of the archeologists. Samples have been collected from the animal and will be examined as part of the investigation. While this level of aggression towards people has been rare in the Katmai area, it should serve as a reminder to all visitors and staff that bears and other animals in the park are wild and exhibit unpredictable behavior. Adherence to existing food storage and viewing regulations are essential to the safety of both people and the wildlife around them. [Neal Labrie, Chief Ranger]
High winds roared over the Alaska Peninsula over the six-day period from July 23rd to July 28th. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph occurred throughout the period, with field crews measuring gusts over 70 mph. Several incidents resulted: July 24 - The park's voicemail recorded a call from Leo House around 5 a.m. reporting a SPOT device activation (SPOT is a portable GPS and satellite communication device used in emergencies). House said that his brother and friends were camped inside the Aniakchak caldera and preparing to float the Aniakchak and Meshik Rivers. Later that morning, a SPOT 911 alert was received. Due to weather restrictions in King Salmon, the Coast Guard was asked to respond. An aircraft from the Kodiak Air Station evacuated three people and flew them to King Salmon. They told park staff that strong winds moved quickly into the area while they were exploring the caldera and destroyed their campsite. Tents were ripped apart and large amounts of gear, including inflatable boats and supplies, were washed away into Surprise Lake. Other camp gear was scattered throughout the 30-square-mile caldera. The trio covered up with tent flies and huddled together through the night. All were rescued without injuries and were suffering only from mild exposure. July 25 - A Cessna 185 flipped over while attempting to take off from Lake Brooks in mid-afternoon. The Cessna, piloted by Cecil Shuman, was taxiing from shore and had just turned to face the wind when it got hit by sustained winds of 40 mph and gusts into the 60s. The left wing was caught by a gust, causing the plane to stand on its nose, then flip onto its back. Shuman and his four passengers were able to escape before the Cessna sank to is floats. Brooks Lodge employees saw the event unfold and responded in their boat. Shortly after, National Park Service maintenance employees responded in an NPS vessel. Three of the five were picked up by the concession boat and the other two by the park boat. Rangers met the victims at the shore and provided EMS care. They were able to change clothes and were warmed aggressively. No injuries were sustained. All five were flown out by another commercial operator later that evening. July 25 - Due to severe winds, several commercial operators ceased flights into or out of Brooks Camp. Park staff and Brooks Lodge took steps to accommodate 63 additional visitors overnight at the camp by housing people in the park's auditorium, visitor center, and government quarters. All visitors were safely accommodated for the evening and all were able to make it out of camp the following day. July 25 - Winds of up to 75 mph stranded a fishing guide and two clients from Enchanted Lake Lodge at the Moraine Creek area. Rangers patrolling in the area met up with the fishermen and provided tent shelter for the night. A sharing of food, shelter and sleeping bags made for a restless but safe night. The visitors and guide were picked up the following morning by their lodge plane. [Neal Labrie, Chief Ranger]
An air and ground search for a hiker missing in Katmai National Park in the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes entered its third day yesterday. At 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 31st, the park received a call from an emergency radio at the Three Forks trailhead. The caller reported that a member of his party had disappeared along the Lethe River while trying to recover his boots, which had fallen into the river at a crossing approximately nine miles up the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes from the trailhead. The remaining group of four had spent several hours looking for their 48-year-old companion, an experienced hiker, before hiking out to the trailhead and calling in the incident. The group of five Germans had planned to spend the last night of their four-day trip at Six-mile Camp (about six miles from the trailhead) before heading out to be picked up by a concessioner's tour bus on August 1st. Efforts were still underway yesterday to notify the missing man's family. A hasty search by two National Park Service ground crews and the park airplane was begun on Saturday evening, but poor visibility and the onset of darkness ended the search with no signs of the missing hiker. The search resumed on Sunday morning with three ground crews and two fixed-winged aircraft and a helicopter. Air support is being provided by Katmai National Park, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska State Troopers. The Lethe River drains out of the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, which is a large ash-filled area resulting from the 1912 eruption of Novarupta Volcano. The river has frequently swift water, limited numbers of fords for hikers, and many areas with steep banks cut through the ash layers. The trailhead to the area is reached by a 23-mile road from Brooks Camp, the park's main developed area. [John Quinley, Public Affairs Officer, Alaska Region]
A major search is underway for a missing aircraft with four people on board that has been missing since Saturday afternoon. The single engine floatplane, a DeHavilland Beaver operated by Branch River Air Service in King Salmon, carried the pilot and three National Park Service maintenance employees - Mason McLeod, 26, and brothers Neal Spradlin, 28, and Seth Spradlin, 20. The name of the pilot is not being released pending the notification of his family. Two planes owned by the air service flew to Swikshak Lagoon early on Saturday afternoon and picked up the maintenance crew that had been working there, preparing for the reconstruction of an old ranger station. The Beaver left at 1:45 p.m.; the second plane, with two people on board, left 15 minutes later. The second plane arrived in King Salmon in an hour, but the pilot had to fly much of the way 500 feet above the ground due to deteriorating weather conditions. The Beaver never arrived, and no radio or emergency locator transmitter transmissions were received. An emergency response was launched by the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center at Elmendorf AFB near Anchorage. A C-130 from Anchorage and a Coast Guard helicopter searched the area until 11 p.m. Saturday, but found nothing. Search efforts yesterday afternoon and evening focused on a wide and rugged area between King Salmon and the park's Pacific coast, particularly in several river valleys that drain into Kamishak Bay on the park's northern boundary. The expectation was that the plane would have flown up one of the valleys, then along Kulik Lake west toward King Salmon. Six airplanes searched through the afternoon and evening, including two each from the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Alaska State Troopers. Two helicopters from Egli Air Haul in King Salmon also joined the search. Local businesses, private lodges, and floatplane operators have been extremely generous in providing assistance in multiple ways, including the provision of services and personnel to aid in the search effort. [John Quinley, Public Affairs Officer, Alaska Region] HYPERLINK "http://www.adn.com/2010/08/22/1419913/plane-with-4-on-board-missing.html"
The search for a missing airplane with four people aboard - three of them NPS employees - enters its fourth day today. The single engine floatplane, a de Havilland Beaver operated by Branch River Air Service in King Salmon, has been missing since Saturday afternoon. The missing employees are HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/katm/parknews/katmai-missing-plane-employees.htm" Mason McLeod, 26, and brothers Neal Spradlin, 28, and Seth Spradlin, 20. The pilot is Marco Alletto, 47, from King Salmon. Yesterday, searchers returned to the northeast part of the HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/katm/planyourvisit/upload/KATM_Park%20Map_for_web1.pdf" four million acre national park, particularly the several river valleys that drain into Kamishak Bay. The expectation was that the plane would have flown up one of the valleys, then along Kulik Lake west toward King Salmon. The weather in the primary search area was excellent, with largely clear skies and excellent visibility. Ten aircraft - four helicopters and six airplanes - participated in the search on Monday. The multi-agency effort included the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Alaska State Troopers, U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Air National Guard, Egli Air Haul, and Branch River Air. Other air taxi operators taking clients to the area have also informally joined the search. The National Park Service has a regional incident management team in place at the park's King Salmon headquarters to assist the park coordinate the search. Most aircraft involved in the search are equipped with GPS tracking devices, which allows search managers to plot areas that were intensely searched on Saturday and Sunday, along with areas that needed a closer examination yesterday. Helicopters searched the coast of Katmai from Katmai Bay to Swikshak Bay on the chance the missing aircraft began an unexpected route back to King Salmon on Saturday afternoon, but no sign of the missing plane was found. Today, search managers expect to send aircraft back to areas that have been less intensively searched in the last three days. By evening, the weather in King Salmon had deteriorated somewhat and rain was falling at 7:30 p.m., although the weather remained better in the primary search area to the east. Search aircraft were expected to return to King Salmon at about 10:30 p.m. The search began late Saturday afternoon after the Beaver failed to return to King Salmon. Two planes owned by Branch River Air Service in King Salmon flew to Swikshak Lagoon on Saturday to pick up an NPS maintenance crew working there preparing for the reconstruction of an old ranger station. Three people were picked up by the Beaver at 1:45 p.m., and a second plane left Swikshak 15 minutes later. The second plane, with two employees and pilot on board, returned safely but had to fly much of the way 500 feet above ground level due to deteriorating weather conditions. An emergency response was initiated through the Rescue Coordination Center on Saturday afternoon. A C-130 from Anchorage and a Coast Guard helicopter searched the area until 11 p.m. Saturday, but found nothing. There have been no radio or emergency locator transmitter transmissions. Katmai N.P is about 300 miles southwest of Anchorage. [John Quinley, Public Affairs Officer, Alaska Region] HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/katm/parknews/newsreleases.htm"
The search for a missing airplane with four people aboard - three of them NPS employees - enters its fifth day today, with no sign of the aircraft yet discovered. The single engine floatplane, a de Havilland Beaver operated by Branch River Air Service in King Salmon, has been missing since Saturday afternoon. The missing employees are HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/katm/parknews/katmai-missing-plane-employees.htm" Mason McLeod, 26, and brothers Neal Spradlin, 28, and Seth Spradlin, 20. The pilot is Marco Alletto, 47, from King Salmon. Yesterday, searchers expanded the southern and southwestern boundaries of the search area. Coast Guard efforts focused on areas around Becharoff Lake, Kejulik Pass, Katmai Pass, and the park coastline north to McNeil River River, covering a five mile buffer over the water. Areas not previously covered to the northeast continue to be searched. The weather in the primary search area was excellent, with largely clear skies and excellent visibility. Eight aircraft - two helicopters and six fixed wing - participated in the search on Tuesday. The multi-agency effort includes the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Alaska State Troopers, U.S. Coast Guard, Egli Air Haul, and Branch River Air. Other air taxi operators taking clients to the area have also informally joined the search. The National Park Service has a regional incident management team in place at the park's King Salmon headquarters to help the park coordinate the search. Most aircraft involved in the search are equipped with GPS tracking devices which allow the search managers to plot areas that have been intensely searched, along with areas that need a closer examination. Helicopters searched the coast of Katmai from Katmai Bay to Swikshak Bay yesterday morning on the chance that the missing aircraft began an unexpected route back to King Salmon on Saturday afternoon; no sign of the missing plane was found. There has been a gallant response from the pilot community with offers to assist in search efforts. Due to safety and communication concerns, pilots are asked to contact the dispatch office at 907-246-3305 to coordinate any search efforts. This will not only enhance the geographical area of the search but relieve pilots for periods of rest. The search began late Saturday afternoon after the Beaver failed to return to King Salmon. Two planes owned by Branch River Air Service in King Salmon flew to Swikshak Lagoon on Saturday to pick up an NPS maintenance crew working there. preparing for the reconstruction of an old ranger station. Three people were picked up by the Beaver at 1:45 p.m., and a second plane left Swikshak 15 minutes later. The second plane, with two employees and pilot on board, returned safely but had to fly much of the way 500 feet above ground level due to deteriorating weather conditions. An emergency response was begun through the Rescue Coordination Center on Saturday afternoon. There have been no radio or emergency locator transmitter transmissions. Katmai N.P is about 300 miles southwest of Anchorage - click on HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/katm/parknews/katmai-missing-plane-map.htm" this link for maps of the park and of the routes flown in the search to date. [John Quinley, Public Affairs Officer, Alaska Region]
The search for a missing aircraft continued yesterday. There have been no radio or emergency locator transmitter transmissions to date. The NPS Alaska Incident Management Team, lead by incident commander Richard Moore, is assisting Katmai National Park by managing the search efforts for the missing aircraft and the persons on board. On Wednesday, aerial efforts to locate the plane and missing employees moved to a grid pattern. Initial operations were driven by topography and the need to follow all routes of highest probability for the flight path of the missing plane. Searchers focused on all recognized low elevation passes, both to the north and south. Operations have now moved to a broader saturation model, based on a grid defined by air miles rather than terrain. This methodical path of using a grid system is based on the same method used by the Civil Air Patrol and will cover all areas regardless of geographical features. The Coast Guard continues to search the coast and the Civil Air Patrol is working on the northern search areas. The single engine floatplane, a deHavilland Beaver operated by Branch River Air Service in King Salmon, carried the pilot and three National Park Service maintenance employees and has been missing since Saturday afternoon. The missing employees are HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/katm/parknews/katmai-missing-plane-employees.htm" Mason McLeod, 26, and brothers Neal Spradlin, 28, and Seth Spradlin, 20. The pilot is Marco Alletto, 47, from King Salmon. [John Quinley, Public Affairs Officer, Alaska Region]
Low morning clouds around King Salmon slowed the launch of search efforts on Wednesday. By midday, clouds had cleared and search efforts were again underway, but rescuers again found no sign of the missing plane or its pilot or passengers. To date, a total of 17,500 miles have been flown by incident searchers, covering an estimated 10,000 square miles of ground area. Thursday's efforts were to again follow a grid pattern. By flying in a north to south pattern and focusing on high priority areas, rescuers hope to have "new eyes" on the search area. The US Coast Guard continues to search the coast and the Civil Air Patrol is working on the northern search areas. For additional details, including photos and maps, go to the park's HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/katm/parknews/newsreleases.htm" web page. [Morgan Warthin, Kathleen Kavalok]
Good visibility and clearing weather helped searchers yesterday in the ongoing effort to find the single engine floatplane carrying NPS employees Mason McLeod, 26, Neal Spradlin, 28, and Seth Spradlin, 20, and pilot Marco Alletto, which has been missing since August 21st. Five helicopters and five airplanes, including two flown by volunteers, were able to complete both grid and targeted missions within the 14,000-square-mile search area. A similar number are expected to participate in the search today. "All four of these individuals are skilled, tough, and prepared to survive in this environment," said Superintendent Ralph Moore. "One soloed the Moose's Tooth, a multi-day technical rock and ice climbing route in Denali National park this past spring. At this point, with good weather holding, we are still hopeful of a positive outcome." Planes entering the search area with the onset of hunting season are advised to be on the lookout for aircraft involved in the search effort. A minimum of ten aircraft will be in the search area daily. Dedicated and contracted Department of Interior aircraft, along with volunteer aircraft and aircraft from the Alaska Air National Guard, US Coast Guard, Civil Air Patrol, and Alaska State Troopers have participated in the search. The multi-agency effort includes the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Alaska Air National Guard, Alaska State Troopers, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of the Interior Aviation Management Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, and National Transportation Safety Board, as well as local air taxi operators and others. As in all park operations, the safety of searchers and the public is the top priority. Inclement weather, limited visibility, and rough and varied terrain throughout the search area contribute to the complexity of the search. Anyone who was monitoring radio traffic or heard a signal from an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) on 121.5 MHz between August 21st and today around the Katmai/Kodiak area is asked to contact park dispatch at 907-246-3305. Visitors and staff who were in the Katmai/Kenai area during that time period are also asked to contact authorities whether or not they saw any evidence of an aircraft. Doing so can help determine where searchers should focus their efforts. For more information, please visit the HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/katm/parknews/newsreleases.htm" park website for updated information. A 3-dimensional map of the park is available at HYPERLINK "http://www.shadedrelief.com/tom/katm_pano.jpg" this website. [Adrienne Freeman, Kathleen Kavalok]
Searchers have flown over 41,000 flight miles to date in the search for a missing floatplane carrying National Park Service employees Mason McLeod, 26, Neal Spradlin, 28, and Seth Spradlin, 20, and pilot Marco Alletto. The plane has been missing since August 21st. Improved weather over the past several days has allowed aircraft to cover some remaining search areas and to search some areas again. No sign of the plane or passengers has yet been reported. Aircraft travelling in the area of the search should be aware of increased air traffic in the area due to search operations. Dedicated and contracted Department of Interior aircraft, along with volunteer aircraft and aircraft from the Alaska Air National Guard, US Coast Guard, Civil Air Patrol, and Alaska State Troopers have participated in the search. The multi-agency effort includes the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Alaska Air National Guard, Alaska State Troopers, the Alaska Fire Service, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of the Interior Aviation Management Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, and National Transportation Safety Board, as well as local air taxi operators and others. As in all park operations, the safety of searchers and the public is the top priority. Inclement weather, limited visibility, and rough and varied terrain throughout the 14,000 square mile search area contribute to the complexity of the search. Anyone who was monitoring radio traffic or heard a signal from an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) on 121.5 MHz between August 21 and today around the Katmai/Kodiak area is asked to contact Park Dispatch at 907-246-3305. Additionally, visitors and staff who were in the Katmai/Kenai area during that time period are asked to contact authorities whether or not they saw any evidence of an aircraft. Doing so can help determine where searchers should focus their efforts. For more information, please visit the HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/katm/parknews/newsreleases.htm" park website for updated information. A 3-dimensional map of the park is available at HYPERLINK "http://www.shadedrelief.com/tom/katm_pano.jpg" this website. [Adrienne Freeman, Kathleen Kavalok]
The search for the plane with three NPS employees and a pilot aboard that's been missing since August 21st will enter its twelfth day today, with no sign of it yet found. In support of the search efforts at Katmai, a team of critical incident stress management (CISM) peers has been brought in to assist the incident management team and the park's staff. A team of seven employees from parks around the country responded to the incident. Chuck Carlson from St. Croix NSR is the current team leader. Other team members have included Heather Stephens from Olympic NP, Elizabeth Maki from Grand Teton NP, Randy Scoggins from Chickasaw NRA and Chris Fraser from Chickamauga & Chattanooga NMP. The team has met with family members and numerous NPS and concession employees at both King Salmon and Brooks Camp. The CISM team has been joined by family liaisons Erica Francis from Glacier Bay and Liz Yee from Grand Canyon. Family liaisons assure that there is a connection between the family and the incident. Nationally, CISM has about 75 participants who are trained in peer to peer support. For more information on the search, please visit the HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/katm/parknews/newsreleases.htm" park website for updated information. A 3-dimensional map of the park is available at HYPERLINK "http://www.shadedrelief.com/tom/katm_pano.jpg" this website. [Erica Francis]
Despite variable and windy weather over the search area on Tuesday afternoon, searchers were able to continue efforts to locate the missing floatplane carrying National Park Service employees Mason McLeod, 26, Neal Spradlin, 28 and Seth Spradlin, 20, and pilot Marco Alletto. No sign of the plane or passengers has yet been reported. Searchers have logged 45,700 flight miles to date in the search for the missing floatplane, which disappeared on August 21st. Targeted searching was to continue in some high elevation areas yesterday, weather permitting. Aircraft travelling in the area of the search should be aware of increased air traffic in the area due to search operations. Anyone who was monitoring radio traffic or heard a signal from an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) on 121.5 MHz between August 21st and the present around the Katmai/Kodiak area is asked to contact park dispatch at 907-246-3305. Visitors and staff who were in the Katmai/Kenai area during that time period are also asked to contact authorities whether or not they saw any evidence of an aircraft. Doing so can help determine where searchers should focus their efforts. For more information on the search, please visit the HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/katm/parknews/newsreleases.htm" park website for updated information. A 3-dimensional map of the park is available at HYPERLINK "http://www.shadedrelief.com/tom/katm_pano.jpg" this website. [Adrienne Freeman, Kathleen Kavalok]
The search for the missing floatplane with four people aboard - pilot Marco Aletto and park employees Mason McLeod and brothers Neal and Seth Spradlin - was significantly scaled back on Saturday. The floatplane disappeared on August 21st after taking off from Swikshak Bay. No sign has since been found of either the plane or the four men. "We have logged almost 60,000 flight miles over the past two weeks," said Regional Director Sue Masica. "Despite an exhaustive effort on the part of the park, the incident management team, and others, we have found no leads. We are scaling back our efforts in part to reduce risk to those participating in this complex operation." Said Superintendent Ralph Moore: "All of us here at Katmai National Park, and in the communities of Naknek and King Salmon, are devastated by this tragic incident. To lose such fine people hurts deeply. Our hearts go out to the families of Neal, Seth, and Mason and to our friends at Branch River Air." The National Park Service is grateful for the invaluable support of volunteer aircraft, agency aircraft, and pilot time that assisted with the search. The multi-agency effort included the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Alaska Air National Guard, Alaska State Troopers, the Alaska Fire Service, U.S. Coast Guard, the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Department of the Interior Aviation Management Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, and National Transportation Safety Board, as well as local air taxi operators and others. The National Park Service will continue limited searching with regular park patrols and other resources. All pilots flying over the park are encouraged to observe and report any leads as well. [Adrienne Freeman, Kathleen Kavalok]
Debris from the plane carrying three National Park Service employees in Katmai National Park was located on the park's rugged northern coast on Tuesday evening. Superintendent Ralph Moore said he was notified by a local helicopter pilot, Sam Egli, that portions of the aircraft, including a piece of the tail with identifying numbers, were on a narrow section of beach about 10 miles northwest of Sukoi Bay. The single engine floatplane, a deHavilland Beaver operated by Branch River Air Service in King Salmon, carried the pilot and three National Park Service maintenance employees and had been missing since August 21st. A U.S. Coast Guard crew from Kodiak, Alaska, went to the site on Wednesday morning to look for further debris associated with the accident. A NPS crew was unable to reach to coast because of bad weather in the headquarters town of King Salmon, about 120 miles to the southwest of the debris site. The employees who were on board the aircraft were Mason McLeod, 26, and two brothers, Neal Spradlin, 28; and Seth Spradlin, 20. The pilot was Marco Alletto, 47, from King Salmon. Egli told the park there was no indication of survivors. The discovery of the plane comes after more than a month of aerial and ground searching by NPS, military and civilian personnel. More than 60,000 miles of flying was done, at times with more than a dozen aircraft working search patterns over the 4 million acre park. "This is a sad conclusion to an extremely difficult incident," said Deputy Regional Director Vic Knox. "Perhaps knowing this adds some measure of comfort for the three families, but nothing can minimize their loss. Our thoughts are with them, and with the staff of Katmai. They, too, are grieving from the loss of close friends and co-workers." The search area covered some 14,000 square miles, with the most intense work covering the area where the debris was located. The beach had been flown over by the National Park Service as recently as Monday, and rangers had walked the beach just a few miles west of the debris site. High tides and high east winds on Monday and Tuesday are thought to have helped make the debris visible from the air. [John Quinley, Public Affairs Officer]
The 8.9 earthquake that struck Japan last Friday - the fifth largest quake in the world since 1900 and nearly 8,000 times stronger than the one that recently devastated Christchurch, New Zealand - produced a tsunami that crossed the open and came up on the shores of park beaches from Guam to the West Coast. No visitor or employee injuries have been reported. The following summarizes reports submitted from all affected areas: Alaska Region - The massive earthquake and possibility of a tsunami led to several precautionary measures to Alaska, but in the end no real effects from the quake and subsequent tsunami were felt. In Sitka (Sitka NHP), some precautionary evacuations were made in the town and the city airport was closed briefly but soon reopened. Elsewhere in Alaska, only small waves and stronger and unusual currents were expected, and were soon seen in the Aleutian Islands. Dutch Harbor (ALEU) reported an 18 inch surge in water levels. The outer coasts of Katmai, Kenai Fjords, and Lake Clark also may have been slightly impacted. [Dean Ross, Deputy Chief of Emergency Services, WASO; Karen Gatewood, Acting Regional Chief Ranger, PWRO; Steve Chaney, Superintendent, REDW; Kim Coast, Acting Chief Ranger, GOGA; John Quinley, Public Affairs, ARO]
A Piper PA-22 Pacer on floats with a pilot and three passengers on board made a landing on Naknek Lake in three- to four-foot swells just after noon on July 5th. Although the landing was rough, the pilot was able to settle the plane on the water in a stable condition. He was attempting to sail the airplane to the beach when the plane turned sideways and the wind picked up the right wing, burying the left wing in the water where it remained. The pilot instructed his passengers to don lifejackets, which they all managed to get on prior to the airplane rolling inverted in the water. All four occupants exited the aircraft underwater and climbed up on the floats. The accident was witnessed by Chief of Resources Troy Hamon, who, along with Naknek District Ranger Dave Woodcock, had just launched the park's Palyak landing craft to undertake a search for three overdue hikers. They immediately responded to the overturned aircraft. Hamon was able to successfully maneuver the boat in high winds and waves to a point where Woodcock was able to assist the passengers into the boat. This took three or four approaches to get everyone safely into the Palayak. Hamon then offloaded the passengers on the beach, where they were escorted to the Brooks Lodge and a roaring fire. The lodge manager and employees provided the soggy aviators with dry clothes and hot drinks. All four were uninjured and only slightly cold with no sign of hypothermia. After dropping off the people, Hamon and Woodcock returned to the sunken airplane and managed to stop the movement of the plane toward the beach by attaching an anchor to one of the floats. The aircraft was refloated and retrieved by the insurance company five days later. Because of Hamon's foresight in anchoring the airplane in deep water, the aircraft remained intact and was successfully righted and flown away. The search for the overdue hikers resumed later that afternoon, but rough conditions forced the search boat to return to base. The park aircraft was flown during a lull in the winds and located the three hikers, all of whom were in good condition. Pilot Allen Gilliland landed his wheeled Cessna C-185 approximately a half mile away and was able to retrieve all three hikers in two flights. [Tom Betts, Chief Ranger]
The search for a 72-year-old California man who disappeared in American Creek after the raft he was in flipped over has been suspended. Three people were rafting down the river on Tuesday, June 19th, when the accident occurred. The other two rafters were able to make it to shore and hike downstream to a guided camp, where they used a satellite phone to report the incident. The three friends were on an unguided trip. An interagency search was launch via raft, helicopter and airplane. As of the following Thursday, no signs of the missing man had been found, so the search was suspended pending further evidence of his location. Pilots who frequent the area have been notified and are planning to continue the search. The victim had extensive rafting experience on Alaskan rivers. He was not wearing a life-jacket at the time of the incident. Source: KTVA News.
Three people are facing criminal charges after they approached feeding brown bears in the popular Brooks Falls viewing area. One man was shown taking a selfie on the Brooks Falls live stream, which broadcasts to a global audience throughout the summer. The man used an emergency exit on the bear viewing platform to get down to the riverbank below. Several bears were feeding on salmon at the time. Katmai rangers started getting reports from visitors and people watching the Katmai bear cam. Rangers contacted the three people and will be charging them with several violations, including a regulation prohibiting people from getting within 50 yards of a bear that is "using a concentrated food source" like the migrating salmon at Brooks Falls. "People need to recognize that these are wild brown bears," said Mark Sturm, the park's superintendent. "These visitors are lucky that they escaped the situation without injury. The possible consequences for the bears and themselves could have been disastrous." The news article below includes a 90-second video of the incident. Source: Anchorage Daily News.
A group of three, consisting of a guide and two visitors, was approached by a bear acting aggressively while sightseeing on an island near the confluence of the Savoonski and Grosvenor Rivers. While making themselves appear larger and yelling at the bear, one of the visitors was swatted by the bear and knocked into the nearby river. The guide had been in the process of trying to deploy bear spray. Once the spray was deployed, the bear left. The visitor sustained minor injuries to their arm. Source: Anchorage Daily News
On July 19, a plane made a forced landing in the lower American Creek area. The pilot and passenger were safely evacuated by an NPS float plane that was operating in the area. The plane was damaged in the landing and plans are being made to remove it from the park. Source: Katmai National Park and Preserve
On August 2, a Cessna 206 on floats crashed while taking off from an unnamed pond near Kukaklek Lake. It struck the bank of the pond while ascending. Four people were aboard the plane and one person sustained a minor injury. The plane was operated by Branch River Air. Source: Anchorage Daily News
On August 9, 2018, three visitors left the Brooks Falls viewing platform to enter the river and approach brown bears feeding just below the falls. They were captured on the NPS' live bear cam and federal charges were filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office last week. Source: Alaska News Source/KTUU, Anchorage Daily News
In 2018, three visitors left the designated brown bear viewing platform and entered a closed area in the Brooks River below Brooks Falls to take selfies. They were captured on the park's bear cam. The three pled guilty to entering a closed area. On May 16, each were each sentenced to 7- to 10-day jail terms and one year of probation, and a collective $9,000 in fines, which will go to the Katmai Conservancy for use in the park. Source: Gear Junkie, The U.S. State Attorney's Office - District of Alaska June 15, 2022 On May 29, a lightning strike 40 miles southeast of King Salmon ignited the Contact Creek Fire. The fire is not being staffed, but is being monitored by the NPS and Alaska Division of Forestry personnel. Crews wrapped a Remote Automated Weather System in protective structure wrap to protect it. As of June 13, the fire has burned 8,914 acres. On June 6, the Idavain Fire was first reported, located two miles south of Idavain Lake. As of June 8, it was 10 acres. The Source: Alaska Fire Information, Inciweb, Katmai National Park and Preserve
On October 9, the park announced that their popular "Fat Bear Week" was spammed by fraudulent votes. The annual celebration on social media consists of an elimination-style tournament bracket in which members of the public can vote on the fattest bear/their favorites, as a way for the park to educate the public about bears as they fatten up for the winter. The fake votes were apparently cast by spam bots, and were easily identifiable by the park to readjust the totals for Bear 435 ("Holly") in its match against Bear 747 in the semifinals, resulting in a win for 747. 747 went on to win the championship, which was his second. Source: USA Today, ABC News
On September 4, a helicopter and a small plane collided midair while flying north of Lake Coville near the American Creek drainage. Both aircraft were able to make an emergency landing. The helicopter pilot was able to walk away from the crash, but was evacuated to King Salmon and then transported to Anchorage for medical assessment. There were no other injuries in the crash. Plans to recover the two aircraft are ongoing. An investigation will be conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board. Source: Katmai National Park and Preserve
On September 7, a hiker appeared on a webcam on Dumpling Mountain that broadcasts live on Explore.org. Viewers watched the hiker appear to say "lost" and "help me" (the feed has no audio), and the hiker also gave a thumbs down. Viewers were able to notify the staff of Explore.org, who reached NPS staff. A park Search and Rescue team was able to reach the hiker, who was "caught in windy and rainy conditions with poor visibility." The hiker was unharmed and escorted back to safety. Source: BBC
The American Creek Fire is located in the hills south of Nonvianuk Lake and north of Lake Coville near American Creek. As of June 17, it is estimated at five acres. It was likely lightning-caused. The Naknek Lake Fire is located approximately nine miles west of Dumpling Mountain and two miles south of Naknek Lake. As of June 17, it is estimated at five acres. It was likely caused by lightning. Smoke has been reported in the area eight miles north of the confluence of American Creek and Lake Coville, and is being investigated by Southwest Area Forestry and Fire Protection to determine whether it is part of the American Creek Fire or an independent blaze. Source: Katmai National Park and Preserve
The American Creek Fire is located in the hills south of Nonvianuk Lake and north of Lake Coville near American Creek. As of July 5, it was estimated at 4,650 acres. It was likely lightning-caused. The fire is being monitored. No structures are currently threatened. The Naknek Lake Fire is located approximately nine miles west of Dumpling Mountain and two miles south of Naknek Lake. As of July 5, it was estimated at 26 acres. It was likely caused by lightning. The fire is being monitored. No structures are currently threatened. Source: Katmai National Park and Preserve
The American Creek Fire is located in the hills south of Nonvianuk Lake and north of Lake Coville near American Creek. As of July 23, it was estimated at 4,651 acres, with "no fire activity visible." It was likely lightning-caused. The fire is being monitored. The Naknek Lake Fire is located approximately nine miles west of Dumpling Mountain and two miles south of Naknek Lake. As of July 23, it was estimated at 26 acres. It was likely caused by lightning. The fire is being monitored. No structures are currently threatened. Source: Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska Wildland Fire Information
On August 1, the park will begin removing a 200-foot-long gravel road near Lake Brooks. The road was constructed by the NPS in 2014 without appropriate Tribal and cultural resource consultation, as required by law. It impacted two known archaeological features. The park has worked closely with Tribal representatives to develop a restoration plan for the site. The park publicly apologized for the road. Source: Katmai National Park and Preserve
Between September 18 and 29, there were four documented incidents of bears obtaining fish from anglers on the Brooks River. The Brooks River corridor below Brooks Falls is now closed to all non-subsistence users. The closure will remain in place through October 31, "or until rescinded by the Superintendent." Source: Katmai National Park and Preserve
On September 30, the bear known as #469 attacked and killed the bear known as #402 on the Brooks River downriver from Brooks Falls. The incident was witnessed live on the park's webcams. The park's popular annual "Fat Bear Week" bracket, in which the public selects the most robust and rotund bear, was postponed, and explore.org hosted a special live public program to discuss the situation. The park's press release noted, "National parks like Katmai protect not only the wonders of nature, but also the harsh realities." Source: Katmai National Park and Preserve
On October 7, the lower Brooks River corridor from Brooks Falls downstream to the elevated bridge and boardwalk reopened after a closure due to habituated bear behavior (see 10/2/24 Coalition Report). One section downstream of the elevated bridge and boardwalk will remain closed due to the presence of a bear carcass, which is a concentrated food source for other bears. Source: Katmai National Park and Preserve
On February 14, the Alaska Supreme Court overturned the dismissal of a 2023 lawsuit against the Alaska Department of Fish and Game that challenges a predator-control program that has killed "nearly 200 bears" over two years in an effort to support the Mulchatna Caribou Herd. The lawsuit argues that the program violates visitors' right to enjoy viewing bears in the region around Katmai. The case had been dismissed for lack of standing, and the Alaska Supreme Court determined the individual does have standing. It will now go back to Alaska Superior Court to determine the merits of the lawsuit. Source: Alaska Beacon | |