Redwood |  |
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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August 3, 1987 Location: Crescent Overlook A human body was discovered by visitors from Crescent Overlook. The body was located on the rocks below the overlook at the surfline. Individual possible slipped or jumped from the railing at the overlook. NPS personnel responded to the original report, local sheriff's office is investigating.
On August 8th, four park rangers and two Del Norte County drug officers served a search warrant on K.C., 47, of Wilson Creek, California, who lives in an NPS-owned, leased-back residence within the park. They arrested K.C. for possession of illegal drugs, and seized marijuana plants, marijuana and "crank" with a total value of $28,000. (Bill Donati, CR, REDW, via CompuServe message from RADAJRO).
On June 25th, M.F.S.S., 21, of Sequim, Washington, left town along with two females and a male, all of them juveniles. Shortly thereafter, they stopped in Seattle, where they stole a Seattle Police Department undercover vice vehicle. Later that month, they committed a burglary of a map fee box at Redwoods. On July 2nd, they broke into a Forest Service/National Park Service visitor center at Manzanita Lake at Lassen Volcanic and stole the safe; later that day, they committed additional burglaries in four Forest Service buildings. On July 3rd, M.F.S.S. sexually molested one of the two women with him, which the victim reported to park rangers at Yosemite on the 5th. M.F.S.S. was arrested on July 6th and charged with burglary of the visitor center at Lassen, burglary and theft at the Forest Service sites, possession of stolen property, and possession of a stolen vehicle. The sexual incident is being investigated by the Mono County Sheriff's Office, and the theft of the police vehicle is being investigated by Seattle PD. Additional charges are anticipated. (Guy Whitmer, LAVO, via (CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 7/23).
G.S., 44, and E.K., 39, both of Crescent City, California, were sailing on a 25-foot sailboat on the 12th when a 25-foot-high wave swept them from the deck, then drove the boat into a jetty and destroyed it. E.K. was able to get safely to the jetty, but G.S. remained in the water about 75 yards from shore. Ranger Evan Jones-Toscano was notified of the situation by the local sheriff's department; he donned a wetsuit, swam out to G.S., and pulled him to safety. G.S. was treated for exhaustion and hypothermia at a hospital in Crescent City. [Craig Johnson, CR, REDW, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 1/22]
T.M., 22, of San Bernadino, California, was scrambling up a cliff near Klamath Overlook with a companion on the afternoon of June 30th when he lost his footing and fell 200 feet to his death. Both men were California Conservation Corpsmen from a camp at Requa, located inside the park. They were on a day off and had left the designated trail to climb the cliff. Ranger Evan Toscano-Jones is investigating. [Craig Johnson, CR, REDW, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 7/1]
Despite the intensity of the earthquakes in California over the weekend, neither Redwood nor Whiskeytown, the two parks closest to the epicenter, suffered any damage whatsoever. Some minor damage reportedly occurred to Bureau of Reclamation facilities in the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity complex. [Telephone report from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 4/27]
On the evening of April 17th, witnesses saw P.P., 41, of Harrington, Delaware, walk into the surf at Fresh Water Spit. Rangers were notified of the incident the next day, and found P.P.'s body on the beach a mile north of Redwood Creek. Investigators believe that P.P., who was apparently physically disabled, committed suicide. [Craig Johnson, CR, REDW, 4/19]
Rangers, Del Norte county deputies, CHP officers and CARDA dog units began a search on April 23rd for a person who'd abandoned a car at a beach trailhead on the Coastal Drive near Klamath. The vehicle had been found unlocked with the keys in the ignition. CARDA units found the body of D.B., 55, of Eureka, California, along the trail, apparently dead from a self- inflicted gunshot to the head. [Craig Johnson, CR, REDW, 5/3]
Three males, ages 22, 17, and 15, were reported overdue from a raft trip down Redwood Creek at 3:00 p.m. on January 30th. An air and ground search was initiated by rangers and Coast Guard personnel about 90 minutes later. The raft belonging to the trio was located in Redwood Creek gorge at sunset by a Coast Guard helicopter. Rangers continued the ground search until 1:30 a.m., then resumed it at 7:00 a.m. that morning, at which point the Humboldt County sheriff's SAR team joined the effort. At 1:30 p.m., the three men were found at the bottom of Dolason Prairie, two miles upslope from Redwood Creek. All three showed signs of hypothermia and exhaustion, but were otherwise in satisfactory condition. [Craig Johnson, CR, REDW, 2/2]
On June 6th, South District rangers were notified of a cache of bagged potting soil in the Coyote Creek - Bald Hills area and subsequently discovered a garden of 38 six- to twelve-inch marijuana plants in the area. The plants were still in small containers, ready for planting. Since park resource managers were working in the area, it was decided that the plants should be removed. The estimated street value of mature plants is about $1,500 each, which places the value of the seizure at about $57,000. [Craig Johnson, REDW, 6/14]
Last May, ranger Augusto Conde saw a suspicious vehicle in the Coastal Drive area. While investigating, Conde discovered seven small marijuana plants. Thinking that this might be a decoy garden, Conde continued his search and discovered a large garden with over 60 six-foot-tall plants near Marshall Pond. A hidden camera was set up and surveillance was begun by rangers and members of the county drug task force. On September 1st, Conde entered the garden area to check the camera and came upon a man, subsequently identified as R.B.. R.B. was arrested, his vehicle was confiscated, and 76 plants were eradicated. R.B., who has a lengthy record of arrests in California and Oregon, was booked into the county jail under a $10,000 bond. [Craig Johnson, REDW, 9/2]
More reports have been received from California parks regarding the storms that have been buffeting that state: * Redwoods - The storms have had little impact on the park. Although over 21 inches of rain fell on the park during the past ten days, major waterways have remained at or below flood stage. Some park roads have flooded, causing temporary closures, and there have been lengthy power outages in Orick and Klamath. High coastal winds, gusting to 95 mph, have been recorded along the coast, but have caused little damage. Blow downs have been slight compared with other areas in California. [C. Mack Shaver, Superintendent, CHIS; Craig Johnson, CR, REDW; PAO, SAMO; all reports, 1/11]
Additional reports of damage from the severe storms of the past few days have been received: * Redwoods (California) - Some trail work will likely be required, but there's no indication of any serious problems at present. [Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO; Joe Lusa, CM, REDW; Don Neubacher, Superintendent, PORE; Jack Fitzgerald, CR, CHIS; Phyllis Shaw, JOMU; Leticia Ruiz, Acting Superintendent, PINN; Tom Tschohl, SEKI]
On the morning of March 23rd, rangers were notified that four rafters were two days overdue from a rafting trip on Redwood Creek. A joint park-county-Coast Guard search was begun. Concern for the four was intensified when searchers learned of their combined inexperience, their lack of knowledge of the creek, and the unusually high water and deep snow in the area where they were floating. The four were spotted from a Coast Guard helicopter at noon the same day. The helicopter crew notified the NPS search party, whose members found the foursome and walked them out to the incident command post. All were treated for hypothermia, then released. [Craig Johnson, CR, REDW, 3/31]
I.M., 53, was killed in a single-car accident on Bald Hills Road at 9 p.m. on August 24th. I.M. apparently fell asleep at the wheel and struck a two-foot diameter Douglas fir. Rangers are assisting in the investigation. [Jane Sikoryak, REDW]
Over the past weekend, seven persons were cited and released for collecting and possessing hallucinogenic mushrooms in two separate incidents in Davison pasture within the park's Humboldt District. Rangers seized a cubic foot of psilocybin mushrooms from the five people caught collecting in the second incident. [Jane Sikoryak, REDW]
Just before 2 a.m. on November 29th, a passing motorist called the county sheriff's office to report that a structure along U.S. Highway 101 near Wilson Creek was on fire. Local and state firefighters and rangers responded and found that a recently vacated, park-owned use and occupancy residence in poor condition was fully engulfed in flame. It appears that the fire started in an attached garage and spread to the house, which was completely destroyed. Arson is suspected; the investigation is continuing. [Andy Ringgold, Superintendent, REDW]
The strong storm which struck the Pacific coast from California to Washington on Tuesday produced very heavy rains and winds of near hurricane force, with gusts at some locations exceeding 100 mph. Reports on the storm's impacts have been received from several parks: * Redwood - The park closed all facilities on Tuesday morning and released all non-emergency staff. All facilities were without power for at least a portion of the day, and most were still without power at the time of the report yesterday afternoon. Most roads are closed by downed trees and powerlines and/or by high water. Efforts to assess damages have not yet begun. [J.R. Tomasovic, IC, GOGA; Andy Ringgold, Superintendent, REDW; Curt Sauer, OLYM; Gary Candelaria, Superintendent, PINN; Superintendent, EUON]
Additional reports have been received from the Pacific West Field Area regarding the impact of the severe storm which struck the West coast earlier this week: * Redwood - The storm dropped 6 inches of rain in the Del Norte District and 3.8 inches of rain in the Humboldt District over a 48-hour period on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wind speeds reached 60 mph in the northern area of the park, 85 mph in the southern section. Almost all roads were blocked by downed trees, landslides, high water and/or downed power lines. All phone and power service was knocked out; both have been restored at headquarters in Crescent City, but all public use facilities remain closed. It will be several days before power is fully restored. Known impacts include wind damage to historic barns on Bald Hills Road, minor damage to the ranger station at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, erosion of a levee along Prairie Creek, and structural damage to a number of roads. The major recovery effort will involve removal of downed trees. A number of redwoods were toppled by the winds, including a four- foot diameter tree that fell on the access road to Howland Hill Outdoor School, two three-foot diameter trees down across the Lady Bird Johnson Grove trail, and a four-foot diameter tree that fell at the dedication grove. Trail damage has yet to be assessed, but extensive damage caused by erosion and downed trees is expected. [J.R. Tomasovic, GOGA; Jane Sikoryak, REDW; John Krambrink, MORA; George Buckingham, CRLA; Larry Carr, WHIS; Pete Cowan, NOCA; Don Neubacher, PORE]
The 43-foot fishing vessel "Clara III" went aground in Humboldt Lagoons State Park just south of Redwood National and State Parks just before 6 a.m. on February 2nd and soon began breaking up in the surf. Ranger Steve White from the park's Humboldt Unit assisted the Orick volunteer fire department in the successful rescue of the boat's two crew members. Both suffered mild hypothermia, but were uninjured. The vessel had about 400 gallons of diesel fuel on board. A slick measuring 300 feet in width by a quarter mile in length was spotted by a responding Coast Guard helicopter. Salvage operations to recover the engines were underway at the time of the report (Friday), and the vessel was to be burned at low tide. Debris and some fuel from the wreck is expected to come ashore in both the national and state parks. A state oil spill unit is on scene to monitor the spill. Preliminary investigation suggests that the vessel's occupants may have fallen asleep while crab fishing. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW]
The remains of the "Clara III", which went aground in the park on the morning of February 2nd, were burned at low tide later that day. Salvageable items were saved from the vessel's wreckage. Resource management staff scoured adjacent beaches, but were unable to find any evidence that any diesel fuel had washed ashore. Indications are that the fuel spill washed out to sea. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW]
Ranger Steve White found an apparent abandoned vehicle in a parking area off Bald Hills Road on February 3rd and began an investigation into the whereabouts of the owner. A registration check revealed that the owner was a 27-year-old soldier from Fort Hood, Texas. White subsequently learned that the solider, Charles Steffensen, was originally from Shasta, California, that he'd recently become despondent over an impending divorce, that he had gone AWOL, and that he'd threatened suicide to his estranged wife before leaving Texas. Rangers and local officers conducted a search of the area the following day and found Steffensen's body about a mile and a half down the trail near Redwood Creek. He had apparently taken his own life with a small caliber handgun. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW]
The unusually heavy rains which have fallen along the coast over the past few weeks have causes several slides which have affected roads in and near the park. A 100 foot section of Coastal Drive cracked and dropped as much as two feet in some places, causing closure of the road for nearly a week. Maintenance employees used 435 tons of fill to repair it. A slide blocked a 110 foot section of Murphy Memorial Drive just outside the park. The drive provides the only access road to the park's maintenance facility at Requa. Although county crews cleared the slide off the highway, continuing instability mandated imposition of a 15 ton weight restriction and closure of the road to all but one way traffic. The park has therefore had to move its heavy equipment off-site and has had to shuttle supplies and materials to the maintenance area. Permanent repairs will not be possible until weather conditions improve. Minor slides continue in and around the park. [Joe Lusa, CM, and Bob Martin, CR, REDW]
Rangers patrolling in the Coastal Drive area noticed that a vehicle had been parked near High Bluffs overlook for several days. Ranger Curt Vade Bon Couer investigated; he determined that it was registered to H.H., 53, of Bayside, California, and that H.H. had been despondent over a failing marriage. A long gun case was found in the vehicle. A hasty search of the area proved fruitless. On the morning of March 4th, H.H.'s wife received a letter from him indicating that he was going to kill himself. Searchers subsequently found his body in dense brush on a coastal bluff. He had apparently shot himself with a .22 caliber rifle. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW]
On March 22nd, national and state park rangers arrested an Orrick, California, resident for possession of a large number of redwood tree blocks. Investigation proved that the wood had been taken from an illegal logging operation discovered in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, part of Redwood National Park, earlier in the month. The illegal logging activity involved a 200-foot high, four-foot diameter redwood tree which had been felled some time during the winter months. Rangers were able to match up growth rings and chain saw cuts on wood seized from the suspect and wood still at the scene. The man was arrested on felony theft charges and will be tried in state court in May. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW]
L.L., 36, of McKinleyville, California, drowned on the afternoon of May 19th while attempting to come to the aid of several friends who had flipped a raft at the mouth of Redwood Creek. L.L. became caught in roller waves and was carried an eighth of a mile down the beach before visitors pulled him ashore. Rangers arrived shortly thereafter and began CPR. A Coast Guard helicopter transported L.L. to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Another member of the party collapsed during the incident, apparently from shock, but later recovered at a local hospital. Alcohol consumption is believed to have played a major role in the accidents. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW]
Rangers received a report of a vessel in trouble just offshore from the Crescent Beach area on the evening of June 14th. They responded and contacted the Coast Guard, who in turn established radio contact with the ship's crew. The captain of the Via Mariah, a 53-foot sailboat, refused assistance and intended to sail away from shore when the winds changed. But the vessel's anchor slipped around 3 a.m. the following morning. The boat was washed in towards shore, took on water, and subsequently sank. There were no injuries to the two-person crew, and no immediate environmental threats. At the time of the report, arrangements were still being made to remove or salvage the vessel, which had just completed a four-week trip from Hawaii to Crescent City. [Curt Vade Bon Coeur, REDW]
On the afternoon of June 13th, national and state park rangers responded to a report of a man barricaded in a motel who was shooting a gun out onto the highway. The rangers, who were first on scene, closed Highway 101 and Davison Road to all traffic. Two rangers then approached the motel to see to the safety of bystanders. The suspect, who had access to two .22 caliber long pistols, came out of his room, got into a car, and tried to leave the scene. Rangers blocked him in with a patrol vehicle until sheriff's deputies and state officers could arrive. The agencies involved got the man out of his vehicle at gun point and arrested him without further incident. The man had apparently stormed into a room, brandishing a pistol, yelling that the room was his, and demanding that everyone leave. He never fired the gun. The county is investigating. [Jeffery Black, REDW]
B.S., 21, was heading southbound through the park on Highway 101 on the evening of June 17th when he lost control of his motorcycle on a curve, crossed the center divider, and ran head on into a northbound Honda Accord. The Accord then sideswiped a second car. B.S., who was traveling at least 90 mph, died on impact. The driver of the Accord sustained moderate injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Rangers assisted in closing the highway, investigating the incident and removing the body. Alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor. [Byron Scott, REDW]
Park personnel discovered a pipe bomb with a spent fuse in a chemical toilet at a popular overlook on the Bald Hills Road on Saturday, August 3rd. The device was nine inches long and an inch and a quarter in diameter. NPS rangers secured the explosive, then deferred to the Humboldt County explosives team for disposal. They dismantled the device and found the contents to consist of black powder and ammonium nitrate. The FBI was notified. A joint investigation by the NPS, county and FBI is underway. [Corky Farley, DR, REDW]
A pipe bomb was discovered by an inmate crew working on a resource project in the Bald Hills Road area on the morning of October 15th. The bomb was on a tree stump about five feet from the road. The inmates notified their captain, who in turn notified rangers. The county bomb specialist was called to the scene and was able to dismantle the device. This pipe bomb is similar to the one found in the park two months ago. Bald Hills Road was closed for several hours. The investigation continues. [Dana Sullivan, REDW]
K.G., 38, was traveling south on the Newton Drury Parkway on the morning of November 18th when she swerved her Chevy Astro van to dodge debris in the road, left the roadway, and struck an old growth redwood. K.G. died on impact. Her 11-year-old daughter survived the accident, and was taken to a local hospital. National and state park personnel assisted the highway patrol with the investigation and body removal. It's believed that the van was traveling at a speed of at least 65 mph when it struck the tree. [Carol Leggat, REDW]
On the afternoon of December 1st, winds and high waves caused a 40-foot crab boat to capsize a mile and a half west of the mouth of the Klamath River. Two out of three crew members were rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter. National and state park rangers searched park lands south of the point where the boat capsized; they found the boat and an emergency raft, but were unable to locate the third crew member. Search efforts were discontinued for the night, but will continue this morning. The vessel's 200-gallon fuel tank also washed ashore. Fuel from the tank will be removed today. [Carol Leggat, REDW]
T.E., 52, was travelling northbound through the park on Highway 101 on the afternoon of November 28th when he lost control of his vehicle during a heavy downpour. The car crossed the center divider and was struck on the driver's side by a car heading southbound. T.E. died at the scene; member of the family in the second car sustained critical injuries. Rangers performed rescue breathing on a four-year-old girl for an hour until a Coast Guard helicopter was able to fly her to a local hospital. She was later flown to a hospital in San Francisco. Her parents remain in the hospital in critical condition. Rangers also helped close the highway, investigate the accident, and remove T.E.'s body. Speed, weather and bald tires are believed to have been contributing factors. [Dana Sullivan, REDW]
Search efforts continue for the third member of the capsized 40-foot crab boat "Beach King", but have so far been fruitless. The vessel's 200-gallon diesel fuel tank was found to have entirely drained. California Fish and Game and Coast Guard spill teams are on scene, working on the spill and assessing impacts on park resources. The Coast Guard is also attempting to determine the best way of disposing of the remains of the vessel. [Carol Leggat, Area Ranger, REDW]
The intense winter storms striking the Pacific Northwest have dropped heavy rains on the park. A small river and stream flood watch has been posted, and roads throughout the area are closed, including Highway 199, which is closed to the town of Medford. It is not known when the latter will reopen. Newton Drury parkway has also been closed due to fallen tree tops and debris on the road. [Janet Cooper, REDW]
The impacts of the severe storms which have been striking the West Coast since Christmas continue to be felt: o Redwood NP (California) - Heavy rains and snow melt raised all rivers and creeks above flood stage between Tuesday and Thursday. The park was split in two and several communities around the park were isolated for up to 36 hours due to the flooding. Highways running through the park were closed in several areas; some spots had over eight feet of water flowing over the road. Rangers helped to evacuate the town of Klamath, and assisted the sheriff's department in patrolling for looters and providing traffic control and emergency food and medication deliveries by helicopter or boat. All campgrounds have been closed due to flood or landslide damage. The maintenance facility and south area offices were closed because high water cut off access to them. These areas also contain park housing, and a few employees were stranded. Some park roads are closed due to road failure. The most serious road closure is the access road to the Tall Trees Grove, which contains several of the world's tallest trees. A thirty foot section of road gave way and slid 200 feet downslope. [Hal Grovert, Assistant Superintendent, YOSE; Russ Lesko, PIO, LAVO; Dana Sullivan, REDW; Roger Rudolph, Assistant Superintendent, OLYM; Bill Gleason, CR, SAJH]
On February 21st, a search was begun in the park for D.D., 47, of Crescent City, after ranger Sharon Hutkowski found D.D.'s vehicle unattended at the Crescent Beach overlook parking lot. D.D. was reportedly armed, despondent over a failed relationship, and suicidal. National and state park rangers, dog teams, local SAR volunteers and a state police helicopter were employed in a three-day search effort, which proved fruitless. Investigators from the Crescent City police department subsequently learned that another missing person they were seeking - S.L., 33 - was a close friend of D.D. and was the last person to see him when he disappeared on February 10th. Search efforts have been discontinued pending further investigation. The possibility of foul play is being explored. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 3/5]
On the afternoon of February 26th, R.S., 29, lost control of his vehicle in Del Norte Redwoods SP and plummeted 300 feet down an embankment. He and his wife were injured, but were able to use a cellular phone to call for assistance. Members of Del Norte County SAR, park personnel, and representatives from the California Highway Patrol and local fire departments made a semi-technical rescue. R.S. was treated and released; his wife was last reported in intensive care. [Curt Vade Bon Coeur, Area Ranger, REDW, 3/5]
Late in February, local officers served search warrants on four locations in Crescent City and recovered over 700 stolen items, ranging from hand tools and computer equipment to vehicles and a backhoe. Six people have been arrested to date. Rangers were able to identify government property which linked the suspects to a string of at least six burglaries which occurred in the park over the past year. In addition to the stolen property, officers recovered two elk which apparently were illegally taken from the park. A half pound of methamphetamine was also found. The suspects were operating in northwestern California and southern Oregon. Area parks with unsolved burglaries may want to contact lead investigating ranger Curt Vade Bon Coeur at 707-464-6101 x 5053. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 3/7]
R.O., 34, of Klamath, California, was recently convicted of a rape which occurred in the spring of 1996. R.O. entered a market in the town of Orick on April 12, 1996, and sexually assaulted the attendant while holding a knife to her throat. R.O. then drove off. His abandoned vehicle was found at the entrance to Wolf Creek in the park. State and national park rangers and county deputies began a search and subsequently found and arrested R.O. R.O., who spent ten years in a Montana prison for a 1983 rape conviction, fell under the provisions of California's "two strikes and your out" law and received a sentence of 35 years in prison. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 4/3]
Extremely heavy rains in December and January resulted in major damage to resources in the four units which form the Redwood National and State Park complex. Damage assessments conducted by NPS geologists, maintenance staff and Federal Highway Administration engineers identified 79 affected sites on 42 roads where numerous washouts, slipouts, slumps, and landslides had occurred. Many of the roads are part of the 445 miles of logging roads acquired in Redwood Creek in the 1978 park expansion. An estimated 400,000 cubic yards of soil will eventually reach Redwood Creek and its tributaries, prime habitat for a variety of anadromous fish, including the coho salmon. The cost to remove and repair the most seriously damaged roads has been placed at $8.6 million. The norther portion of the Coastal trail was closed due to slides, but was reopened by park maintenance last week. Mill Creek campground will be closed until late spring or early summer due to slumping of the access road and flood damage to the campground. A large portion of Coastal Drive has been closed indefinitely. The Tall Trees access road will remain closed until mid-summer due to a major slide of the roadway. Portions of the Tall Trees trail have slumped but are passable; portions of the Fern Canyon trail have been washed out. The park has hired several additional trail crews and is busily clearing the remaining 200 miles of trails within the park's four units. Restrictions on the use of heavy equipment and motorized hand tools in and adjacent to old growth forests will delay repair efforts, as these areas are prime nesting habitat for two threatened and endangered species, the marbled murrelet and the spotted owl. Many of the construction and repair efforts will be delayed until the T&E closure is lifted on September 15th. [Bob Martin, CR, and Joe Lusa, CM (now retired), REDW, 4/3]
Park maintenance employees discovered human remains just off the Coastal Trail near Wilson Creek on may 14th. Rangers and sheriff's deputies responded. The remains may be those of one of two persons missing from the Crescent City area since February. The victim apparently died from a self- inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation continues. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 5/15]
During the summer of 1996, a total of 1,027 marijuana plants were found in seven separate gardens within the park by an interagency narcotics task force. The plants had an estimated street value of about $5.1 million. Due to the lack of personnel for surveillance operations, most of the plants were eradicated; some surveillance was conducted, however, and, together with information gathered from informants, led to the conviction of two people - Kirk Stewart, 34, and Kevin Wilson, 35, both of Crescent City - responsible for at least three of the gardens. Stewart was recently sentenced to nine months in prison; Wilson received a suspended sentence. The park now has a ranger permanently assigned to the task force. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 7/22]
On July 5th, rangers investigating a report that several people failed to pay camping fees at Mill Creek campground arrested six individuals for a variety of crimes, including outstanding drug-related warrants, possession of a stolen Ryder truck, possession of marijuana for use and sale, and failure to pay user fees. State officers and county deputies assisted in the arrests. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 7/22]
A multi-agency search was conducted on August 15th and 16th for B.N., 25, an Indian national, after he became separated from his hiking companion. Narayanan was eventually found in good condition along the Redwood Creek horse and hiking trail. Search and rescue efforts were conducted by foot, horse and vehicle by representatives from three agencies. [Carol Leggat, REDW, 8/18]
Rangers were notified on the evening of September 14th of a vehicle that had been missing for nearly 14 hours. The vehicle was driven by the wife of a county deputy and also contained their three small children. An interagency search was begun, and the vehicle was found 100 feet off the Newton Drury Parkway after midnight. There was no one in the vehicle, but blood was found in it. The search continued, hampered by heavy rains. Around 9 a.m., searchers heard faint cries about a half mile north of the accident scene. Rescuers found the mother and three children alive, huddled in very dense vegetation. They had minor injuries and were suffering from severe hypothermia. The mother apparently became disoriented after the accident and was unable to return to the roadway. She reported that she and her three- year-old slid about 60 feet down a near-vertical slope some time during the night, separating the members of the family. All were taken to a local hospital. The three-year-old was held for observation; the mother and remaining two children were treated and released. [Dan Scott, CR, Prairie Creek Redwoods SP, RN&SP, 9/17]
On September 19th, C.C., 33, of Crescent City, was found guilty on burglary, possession of stolen property, counterfeiting and drug charges stemming from an investigation which culminated in his arrest last February. C.C., who was sentenced to 16 years in prison, was a member of what has been described as the largest burglary ring ever to have operated in Del Norte County. C.C.'s accomplice, T.N., 44, was also found guilty. Among the many items stolen from the park and recovered during the investigation were roofing shakes, a computer, a scanning bed, hand tools, weed eaters and a mower. Park personnel appeared as witnesses at the trial; prosecutors said that they were critical to the successful prosecution. The counterfeiting operation reportedly involved the park's computer and scanning bed. Ranger Curt Vade Bon Coeur was the park's lead investigator. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 9/29]
Some time after dark on January 10th, J.B., 21, an employee of the California Conservation Corps (CCC), was found unconscious and not breathing by a fellow employee in a remote area along the Coastal trail near Requa. J.B. and the co-worker had apparently consumed the contents a 1.75 liter bottle of tequila during the evening hours. J.B.'s companion went back to Requa, found two friends, returned to J.B., and began CPR. Members of a local fire department responded, continued CPR, and carried J.B. out along the narrow, muddy trail during a rainstorm. He was pronounced dead while en route to a hospital in Crescent City. An autopsy and a joint investigation of his death are being conducted. The CCC has a large work camp located within the park under a long-term agreement. Camp officials have obtained CISD assistance for CCC employees. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 1/13]
The series of severe El Nino-related winter storms which have been striking the U.S., particularly in California, the southern tier states and up the east coast, have had a variety of repercussions in national parks. Since there are no indications that this pattern will change for some time, the Morning Report will carry a continuing round-up of reported storm impacts: Redwood N&SP (CA) - The brunt of the last few storms to strike California fell to the south, but the park has experienced some consequences of the winds and rain. Several secondary roads and trails are closed due to slides and downed trees. A 30-foot-wide slump across the entire Coastal Road may force closure of that road. The Fern Canyon Road is blocked by a slide, and a new, geyser-like hydrological phenomena has appeared coming through the tread of the Ossagon trail. Rivers are high, but not yet at flood stage. Reports from other parks that have also been significantly affected by these storms would be appreciated. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 2/4; John Burns, CR, ASIS, 2/5; Bill Blake, CR, NERI, 2/5; Greg Stiles, SHEN, 2/5]
Additional reports have been received regarding the impacts of the series of unusually strong winter storms that have struck or are striking the country: Redwoods N&SP (CA) - The park was being buffeted by high winds and rain as of Friday afternoon. Trees were toppling all over the park; it appears that the Newton Drury Parkway will be closed for up to five days to remove trees. A tree had fallen on the Prairie Creek visitor center, but the extent of damage was not yet known. Other park roads were blocked by trees and downed power lines, including the road to the Wolf Creek housing area. The south operations center had lost both power and phones. Scanner traffic indicated that almost all roads leading into the northern California coastal area were closed. Reports from other parks that have also been significantly affected by these storms would be appreciated. [Norm Dodge, CR, ACAD, 2/6; Constantine Dillon, Superintendent, Fire Island NS, 2/6; Bryan Swift, CR, LAVO, 2/6; Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 2/6; Gary Candelaria, Superintendent, PINN, 2/7; Greg Stiles, SHEN, 2/6]
Most of the park's main roads have been cleared of windfalls, and the damaged roof of the Prairie Creek visitor center has been temporarily repaired. The park may close Coastal Drive due to significant sliding of the road's surface. Many trails are still closed due to slides and fallen trees. Repair work to trails in old growth forests will be slow due to constraints on the use of mechanized equipment necessitated by the presence of two threatened and endangered birds - the spotted owl and marbled murrelet - in the woods. A series of significant storms is predicted for the area over the next few weeks. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 2/18]
A fire destroyed the restroom complex at the Klamath River overlook on February 26th. Evidence and witnesses indicate that the fire was arson-caused and that an accelerant was used. Damage is estimated at $25,000. The privacy walls surrounding the chemical toilets were made of recycled plastic lumber. The lumber burned very quickly and hotly. When the local volunteer fire department applied water to the fire, it spread the way a grease fire would spread and became very difficult to control. The material safety data sheet indicates that Class B foam or a fog pattern should be used on this kind of fire. Parks using this type of plastic lumber need to be aware of the material's properties and inform their firefighters, as it may not be immediately obvious to them that they are dealing with a petroleum-based fire. Parks should also take this into consideration before using this type of material near other, more valuable structures or exposures. The plastic lumber was donated to the park. At least 30 other NPS units evidently also received such donations. [Curt Vade Bon Coeur, REDW, 3/5]
The park has completed an inventory of it's El Nino-related storm damages: Prairie Creek Redwoods SP has over 200 trees down, ranging in diameter from one to eight feet. Trail clearing could take the rest of the year. The last mile of Davison Road is closed from the Gold Bluffs Beach campground to Fern Canyon due to a major slide. Contractors will begin working at the site on May 1st. The James Irvine trail in Prairie Creek Redwoods SP is closed due to a major slide. A trail re-route will be constructed later this year. Coastal Drive is closed between Newton Drury Parkway and Alder Camp Road due to slumping of the road. Holter Ridge trail is closed due to downed trees. The nature trail near the Prairie Creek visitor center is closed due to slides. All other roads and trails are open in the parks except for the extended overnight and three-day loop horse trails in the Redwood Creek area, which have been closed since the 1997 storms. Requa, the former Air Force radar site that is now part of the park, has been experiencing serious slides and water-related damage, including disconnected sewer lines, cracked foundations, and leaking roofs. An estimated 200 trees are down throughout the national park, ranging in diameter from one to five feet. A 410-foot section of the Redwood Creek trail has failed and slipped downslope. A bridge along the Flint Ridge trail was damaged by a fallen redwood. Several informational kiosks at Freshwater Spit were ripped from the bases and thrown toward Highway 101. The total cost of the damages inflicted to NPS facilities and trails has been estimated at $150,000. State parks staff still have considerable survey work to do before an estimate will be possible. Sporadic heavy rains continue in the area, with the Klamath River only several feet below flood stage. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 3/25]
Park visitors contacted rangers on April 16th regarding a man who'd been acting strangely. The man, subsequently identified as N.W., 30, had followed and approached several teenage girls and had made inappropriate comments to them. When rangers contacted him, N.W. was sitting in a dangerous position on the edge of a 400-foot bluff overlooking the ocean near Endert's Beach. He wouldn't respond either to rangers or to a deputy who knew him. It was determined that N.W. had a history of mental problems, that he had told friends that he intended to kill somebody, and that he had taken a rifle with him. Following lengthy efforts to communicate with N.W., a Del Norte County deputy and a ranger, both members of the county SAR team, roped up, moved rapidly to his location, subdued him, and pulled him from the edge of the bluff. He was taken into custody and transported to a mental health facility for evaluation. [Curt Vade Bon Coeur, Area Ranger, REDW, 4/29]
Approximately 24 international long distance phone calls totaling 700 minutes were made by fraudulently using the park's phone system during the course of one recent day. A caller posing as a phone company representative checking for problem lines, or "Paul from communications," regularly called the park's main phone number, then asked the attendants to dial "extension 900," followed by the # symbol. As three of the park's phone systems were down for two days last week, the park phone attendants didn't think this was suspicious, nor did they realize that by dialing the requested number they were giving the incoming caller an outside line and the AT&T operator. According to AT&T, the original caller then gives the phone to another person for a fee. That person makes a long distance call, which is billed back to the park. On June 3rd, AT&T security contacted the park and advised that the 700 minutes of calls, estimated to have cost in excess of $2,500, had been billed to the park's phone numbers. Most of the calls were international calls to African countries. Exploitation of this scheme is evidently growing rapidly throughout the country. Parks with PBX, multi-line phone systems should alert their phone operators, relief operators, dispatchers and replacements of this scheme. Dialing 800# may also provide an outside line and a local operator. Parks should consider asking their phone companies to run security checks of their systems to ensure that all other features which might be used for acquiring an outside line for fraudulent purposes are properly set. The park is currently working on this case with Secret Service agents. For more information on phone fraud and on education techniques for your operators, call the AT&T Global Network Fraud Detection Center at 1-800-821-8235. (Editor's Note: Messages have since been received indicating that John Muir NHS and Sequoia-Kings Canyon NPs were also hit last week by people employing the same method, though with less impact. Action on this warning should accordingly be taken ASAP). [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 6/4]
Rangers responded to a fire in a recently vacated, NPS-owned use and occupancy structure at the south end of Freshwater Spit Lagoon on the morning of June 14th. Volunteer and state firefighters also responded. The building was engulfed in flames when units arrived. There was no one in the house. Investigation revealed that the fire had been deliberately set. [Paige Ritterbusch, REDW, 6/14]
When Crescent City resident R.T., 56, failed to return from a day hike and bike trip into the park's Coastal Trail and Nickel Creek area by the evening of September 10th, his wife called the county sheriff's department. The sheriff's department accordingly alerted its SAR team, which includes four park rangers and a park FIREPRO technician. The searchers found R.T.'s bike locked to a tree near an undesignated trail leading to ocean cliffs around 1 a.m. the following morning. The search focused on that area until it had to be suspended due to rough terrain and darkness. The search resumed at daybreak with the assistance of Coast Guard and California Highway Patrol helicopters. R.T. was located by a dog team on Nickel Creek just before 10 a.m. He was cold, hungry and wet, but uninjured. R.T. had hiked north from the point where he'd left his bike, then went off trail over a couple of ridges. He soon realized he was lost, stayed in one place that night, and began hiking back toward the ocean in the morning. [Sharon Hutkowski, PR, Del Norte District, REDW, 9/17]
On September 9th, a fire lookout told rangers that she'd seen two people carrying objects that had evidently been collected from an area that was recently burned during a prescribed fire and load the items into their pickup truck. The area is near Bald Hills, an archeological district on the National Register of Historic Places with many prehistoric sites. Shortly thereafter, rangers contacted M.D., 34, and L.G., 24, both of Orick, California. A stone tool and 18 pieces of obsidian were found in the truck. Park archeologists estimated that the stone was about 1,200 years old and may have been used for making either pigments or medicinal materials. The obsidian appears to have originated in the Siskiyou Mountains and may have been obtained through trade by members of the Chilula, Hoopa and Yurok tribes who inhabited the area. Rangers also found a rifle, four recently pulled marijuana plants, and paraphernalia. Violation notices were issued; ARPA charges are being sought through the U.S. attorney's office. Durfee will also be charged with violation of probation. [Paige Ritterbusch, REDW, 9/28]
Rangers received a report of three people with knives acting suspiciously on Cal Barrel Road on September 26th. They found an unoccupied van on the road; in plain view were recently collected plants. About 20 minutes later, three people were confronted as they approached the van. They admitted to collecting two redwood burls and 16 pieces of red band, artists conk and lacquer-top fungus, the largest of which measured 26 by 17 inches. Park biologists determined that it took about 17 years to grow to that size. The trio admitted to collecting the items because they were in demand for commercial use by artists who paint and draw on the fungus' flat surfaces and carve burls into various forms. A search of the van led to the discovery of knives, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Charges for plant theft and drug and paraphernalia possession are pending. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 9/28]
State police received a 911 call reporting that a woman had fallen off a cliff at the end of Endert's Beach Road at 9 p.m. on September 16th. They advised the county sheriff's department and park dispatch and a SAR team responded. K.R., 38, of Crescent City, had fallen 275 feet down a loose gravel ocean cliff, ending up about 50 feet from the ocean. Ranger Sharon Hutkowski and SAR team member Peggy Thomas reached the beach but couldn't get to K.R.. Ranger Curt Vade Bon Coeur was lowered to K.R., determined that she'd suffered only minor injuries, and was able to help her reach the top of the cliff. Hutkowski and Thomas were then raised up the cliff after being trapped by rising ocean tides. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 10/1]
On the morning of September 7th, a 19-year-old male was arrested and charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault against a 19-year-old female who was an acquaintance and co-worker at the California Conservation Corps (CCC) facility in Requa. According to the report, the woman was helping the intoxicated male back to his room when he walked into a wooded area near the complex. She said that she followed him into the woods and that he subsequently raped her. CCC security learned of the incident when the woman reported it the next morning and notified county authorities. The CCC facility houses over 125 employees and is located on park property near Klamath. Rangers are assisting with the investigation. [Sharon Hutkowski, PR, Del Norte District, REDW, 10/1]
On October 16th, Del Norte county deputies arrested L.K., 24, of Crescent City, California, when he attempted to cash a check which he'd just stolen out of a vehicle in that city. Rangers were notified of the arrest, as the deputies were aware that they'd been investigating eleven car clouts that had occurred in the park over the previous three months. Three rangers assisted in the writing and execution of a search warrant at L.K.'s residence. Evidence located during the warrant will likely solve the majority of the break-ins on park lands and another 20 county cases. [Sharon Hutkowski, PR, REDW, 10/29]
On the evening of October 24th, two 13-year-old boys burglarized a house in Hiouchi, a small community adjacent to the park, taking jewelry, a gun, and a car. One of the boys' parents spotted them near a trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP, but the boys fled from them. A search was begun by NPS and state rangers and county deputies. While the search was underway, the boys broke into a recreational vehicle in the state park campground and stole food and camping items. They were spotted, but again fled into dense vegetation. Two NPS rangers and a county deputy finally apprehended the pair near the NPS park housing area just before dark. [Sharon Hutkowski, PR, REDW, 10/29]
Sustained heavy rains (over 13 inches in places) and high winds (over 50 mph) pelted the north coast of California between November 20th and the 22nd, causing considerable damage to and closures of park facilities. Fallen trees, standing water, earth slides, undermined roadways and significant road failures were reported on the Coastal Drive, Newton B. Drury Parkway, Howland Hill Road, Endert's Beach Road and the Tall Trees Grove access road. All but Howland Hill and Endert's Beach Roads remain closed. Numerous roadside drainage structures have been damaged and makeshift repairs are being made. Assessments still need to be conducted along the nearly 250 miles of park trails, but workers are being kept from entering the forests by continued high winds. Prairie Creek and Mill Creek campgrounds were flooded and about 10 campsites were washed away. A kiosk was destroyed at Freshwater Spit campground. Significant erosion problems are anticipated along some park streams and more than 150 miles of yet to be rehabilitated logging roads. Rain and high winds are forecast for the region through the coming weekend. These storms follow on the heels of two years of significant winter storm-caused hydrological events in the park. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 11/24]
Rain and high winds continued to hamper efforts to assess and repair damages inflicted by a series of recent storms. A slide and associated debris have been removed from the Newton Drury Parkway and repairs have been completed to the Tall Trees access road. Both are now open, but problems persist elsewhere. A bridge and gauging station in the Little Lost Man Creek drainage have been destroyed; the bridge was only a few months old, having been installed this summer after its predecessor was lost in last year's storms. The Fern Canyon access road has been closed by a large slide. The Davidson Ranch/Gold Bluff Beach road was closed on Wednesday after Prairie Creek rose over its banks. Huge chunks of asphalt have been stripped from the roadway. Coastal Drive will remain closed indefinitely due to the loss of a major section of the road's surface, which fell into the Pacific Ocean. Assessment of damage to trails has been hampered by continued high winds. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 12/3]
D.B., 42, went looking for chantrelle mushrooms with her dog in the Lost Man Creek area of the park on the morning of December 28th. She quickly became lost and was unable to find her way to back to the highway by nightfall. Her fiancee called the county sheriff's office at 8:30 p.m. that evening to report her missing. Rangers and other NPS employees joined in an all-night search for D.B.. Ranger David Bauer found her and her dog near Lost Man Creek at 9 a.m. the next morning. He treated D.B. for mild hypothermia and transported her and her dog to the incident command center. D.B. warmed up quickly during debriefing and was taken to her motorhome later that morning. She was warned about park prohibitions on picking mushrooms (she never found any) and having a dog in the backcountry. [David Barland-Liles, Area Ranger, Bald Hills, REDW, 1/12]
On September 7th, a 19-year-old male was arrested and charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault against a 19-year-old female who was an acquaintance and co-worker at the California Conservation Corps (CCC) facility in Requa. In November, he pled guilty to a lesser charge of felony sexual battery; on January 21st, he was sentenced to 16 months in a state prison. Upon release, he must register as a sex offender in any California community where he may reside. The CCC facility houses over 125 employees and is located on park property near Klamath. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 1/25]
Two elk kill sites were found along Coastal Drive on January 21st. On the following day, NPS and state park rangers joined state fish and game wardens in executing a search warrant at a residence in Klamath. They found and confiscated two Roosevelt elk carcasses, a .22 caliber rifle and ammunition, a spotlight, a small quantity of marijuana, and other items. Evidence will be sent to the state crime lab to match the elk DNA with DNA recovered from the two sites in the park. Federal and state wildlife charges are pending. One of the suspects is a convicted felon; additional charges for possession of the rifle may accordingly be sought. [David Bauer, PR, REDW, 1/28]
Rangers received a report of three people with knives acting suspiciously on Cal Barrel Road on September 26, 1998. They found an unoccupied van on the road; in plain view were recently collected plants. About 20 minutes later, three people were confronted as they approached the van. They admitted to collecting two redwood burls and 16 pieces of three types of fungus, the largest of which measured 26 by 17 inches. Park biologists determined that it took about 17 years to grow to that size. The trio admitted to collecting the items because they were in demand for commercial use by artists who paint and draw on the fungus' flat surfaces and carve burls into various forms. A search of the van led to the discovery of knives, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. All three suspects were convicted in county district court this month and fined $430. The state is considering billing them to recover costs for damages and the investigation. Illegal mushroom picking is a growing problem in the four inter-connected parks. A Humboldt State University fungi study plot that had been closely monitored for seven years was recently plundered by mushroom pickers. This theft will have serious implications for the park's efforts to better understand the mycological realm. [Paige Ritterbush, PR, REDW, 3/8]
While on patrol on the evening of March 30th, ranger Dave Barland-Liles overheard a dispatch call from another agency regarding a medical emergency - a person suffering grand mal seizures - on Bald Hills Road near Schoolhouse Peak. A major storm was striking the region at the time, creating blizzard and near whiteout conditions. Barland-Liles headed toward the scene, but ran into increasing snow accumulations as he gained altitude, including drifts as deep as four feet. The snow became impassable when he was within a tenth of a mile of the stranded motorists, so he left his vehicle and continued on foot. The seizure victim - R.S., 45, of Hoopa - was in one of three vehicles stranded on the road. Barland-Liles began administering oxygen and provided assistance until local SAR and rescue units could reach the scene. A backboard and scoop stretcher were converted into a makeshift sled, and R.S. was transported on it to a waiting ambulance. Other occupants of the vehicles were taken to a park neighbor's residence, where they were warmed, then released. R.S. is in stable condition in Mad River Hospital. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 3/31]
T.F., 25, of Fieldbrook, California, lost control of her car while driving southbound on the Newton Drury Scenic Parkway on the afternoon of June 15th. The car rolled several times down a steep, 80-foot embankment and came to rest upside down on top of several redwood logs, trapping T.F. inside. Ranger Paige Ritterbusch was first on scene and found T.F. hanging upside down in the car, still strapped in by her seatbelt. A multi-agency response ensued. An opening was dug into the embankment where the vehicle was resting to provide enough room to remove T.F. from the car. She was carefully extricated, placed on a stokes litter, then raised by rope and pulley to the road above. An ambulance took her to a waiting Coast Guard helicopter, which flew her to Mad River Hospital. She had suffered no injuries and was released that evening. The vehicle was totally destroyed. Ranger David Barland-Liles was IC. [David Barland-Liles, CR, REDW, 6/22]
A 17-foot Bayliner boat was flipped by a reported 12- to 14-foot "rogue wave" approximately 200 yards offshore of Crescent Beach picnic area within the park's offshore boundary on June 12th. One of the occupants of the boat was thrown clear of the vessel; the other two were temporarily trapped in the overturned vessel. All three endured six-foot breakers and swam to shore, where they were met by park visitors. Rangers, county deputies, and medical personnel responded and treated all three for hypothermia and one for facial injuries. The vessel eventually washed ashore and was removed. No damage occurred to park resources. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 6/23]
Rangers Paige Ritterbusch and Dave Barland-Liles were in the process of executing search warrants in Klamath when they overhead radio traffic regarding a head-on collision on the U.S. 101 bridge over the Klamath River. They were first on scene and began triage, provided patient care, and called in additional help. The driver and passenger in one vehicle were trapped inside; the driver of the other was found sitting dazed near the bridge's guardrail. He had a broken leg and neck pain; one passenger suffered from broken ribs, a broken left femur, arm and wrist and had neck pain; a third had a broken left arm and collar bone. Air and ground ambulances transported all the victims, one of whom had a heart attack en route to the hospital but survived. All occupants were wearing seatbelts and both vehicle airbags deployed. The combined vehicle speed was estimated at 90 mph. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 6/30]
Rangers from both districts and the park's fire crew and engine were dispatched to a two-car rollover accident with six victims on Highway 101 on July 25th. Patient triage was completed and all victims were treated and transported by two ambulances to two area hospitals. Injured were two children (ages 10 and 14) and four adults. Injuries included severe fractures, abdominal wall injury, lacerations and bruises. The children had the most severe injuries; the adults were treated and released. The California Highway Patrol is investigating. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 7/27]
A hiker reported the discovery of a man's body along a trail in the Lost Man Creek area on the afternoon of Sunday, August 15th. Rangers responded, determined that the man was dead, and requested assistance from the Humboldt County sheriff and coroner. They were joined on scene by a state crime lab technician and investigators from the DA's office. The victim remains unidentified. The investigation continues. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 8/16]
On August 10th, a young girl was stomped by an elk in the vicinity of Big Tree in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, part of the combined Redwood National and State Park. Her injuries were limited to scrapes and bruises. A "loner" cow elk has been identified as the main suspect and is being sought by rangers and fish and wildlife biologists. The parks are stepping up patrol and efforts to inform the public of dangers associated with wildlife. Black bears are also becoming active, with food being taken from numerous campsites. Visitors are being advised not to feed wildlife and to properly store food and coolers. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 8/16]
On August 14th, a Patrick's Point State Park ranger requested backup in dealing with a drunken man threatening campers, throwing rocks, and stating that he was going to get a rifle and come back and kill everyone in the campground. Local sheriff's officers were not available. Rangers Paige Ritterbush and David Barland-Liles responded with two California Highway Patrol officers. They searched the campground and found the man face down inside a tent. He was taken into custody and transported to county jail by the rangers, where he was booked for being drunk in public. While en route, the man threatened to kill the rangers. He had tattoos indicating affiliation with white supremacy groups. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 8/16]
On August 18th, rangers and resource management staff responded to an accident involving two tractor trailers on Highway 101 adjacent to the camping area at Freshwater Spit. Initial investigation suggests that the northbound tractor trailer crossed the double yellow line and crashed head-on into the southbound truck. Both drivers were killed. Park personnel and Orick VFD volunteers attended to both victims, secured the scene, managed the diesel spill, and directed traffic. California Highway Patrol officers subsequently arrived on scene and took control as the primary investigative agency. [Corky Farley, Operations Supervisor, REDW, 8/18]
Rangers arrested T.M., 30, on August 14th for possession of stolen property and three federal warrants - two of which also involved possession of stolen property. T.M. was spotted riding a bike in the town of Orick. The rangers attempted to stop him, but he fled on the bike, then abandoned it and continued on foot. He was caught, arrested and booked into the county jail. The bike that T.M. was riding was a Cannondale mountain bike valued at $1,100; it had been stolen from the Freshwater Spit campground in July. T.M. is a convicted felon, having just gotten out of prison several months ago from a previous park case involving stolen property. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 8/16]
As rangers were ending a CISD session stemming from a recent homicide in the park (99-459), they received a call from campground hosts regarding a child being molested at Freshwater Spit campground. Rangers interviewed the children involved, determined that the molestation had taken place in the campground, and arrested 31-year-old M.R. of Eureka, California. He was booked into the county jail on charges of committing a lewd act on a child. The state child welfare office placed the children with a family member. Additional charges may be sought by the county DA. Rangers are conducting the investigation and working with a child abuse services team and sexual assault response teams from the county. M.R. is being held on $50,000 bail. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 8/23]
The identity of the murder victim found in the Lost Man Creek area of the park on August 15th has been established. He was D.S., 43, of Euclid, Ohio. D.S., a postal worker in Cleveland, was bludgeoned and died of head injuries. D.S. arrived in Seattle by plane on August 9th, where he rented a black Isuzu Trooper sport utility vehicle (license plate 816 KFL) and headed off on a vacation in the Northwest. Investigators haven't yet been able to determine his exact route. Neither the Isuzu nor D.S.'s camping equipment and personal belongings have yet been found. National parks and cooperating agencies in the Northwest are asked to check their campground reservation lists, visitor center registers, radio logs, and similar documents for the period from August 9th to the 15th to determine if D.S. may have visited their area or park. If you have any relevant information, contact chief ranger Bob Martin at 707-464-6101 extension 5050. Rangers have stepped up patrols and are working with county investigators, who are leading the investigation into D.S.'s death. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 8/24]
R.H., 33, and E.R., 29, of Louisville, Kentucky, have been arrested for the alleged murder of park visitor David Schauer, 43, of Euclid, Ohio. The two were arrested by state officers in Yavapai County, Arizona, on unrelated charges on August 29th. They were located through information on Schauer's stolen Isuzu transmitted in a "be on the lookout" message by the Humboldt County sheriff's office. R.H. and E.R. will be extradited to Eureka, California, where the county DA will consider filing homicide charges. On or about August 13th, Schauer was visiting the Lost Man Creek area of the park when he was allegedly murdered by R.H. and E.R., who had recently arrived in the area and did not know him. They subsequently stole Schauer's rented vehicle and headed to Arizona, where they were caught. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 9/3]
The vessel "Stuyvesant," used for dredging, received a gash below the waterline on September 6th when its boom hit the hull, causing over 2,000 gallons of intermediate fuel oil to discharge into the Pacific Ocean near the mouth of Humboldt Bay, just north of Eureka, California. The Coast Guard established an ICS operation to deal with the spill. Early indications were that the winds and seas would keep the spill local, but on September 12th the park received reports that oiled birds were being discovered in the Gold Bluff, Klamath and Crescent Beach areas. Birds found alive were collected and transported to a decontamination center. Unconfirmed reports indicate at least a dozen oiled birds were found in the parks. Park wildlife biologists and rangers will conduct patrols of the park's beaches over the next several days in an effort to rescue other wildlife that may be contaminated and to ascertain if oil from the spill has reached the park's shoreline. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 9/14]
On September 12th, J.T., 28, threatened to take his own life and held a knife to his neck in front of park visitors in the Freshwater Spit overnight camping area. He then threw the knife at a visitor and became verbally and physically abusive to several others. Rangers David Barland-Liles and Jeff Roberts arrived and saw that J.T. appeared to be intoxicated. J.T. was subdued and arrested. Other park rangers and a highway patrol officer soon arrived on scene. J.T. threatened Barland-Liles and attempted to kick him; he was again subdued (this time by three officers), cuffed feet to hands, and transported to the St. Josephs Hospital emergency room. During the 50-minute transport, J.T. continued to resist and was subdued the entire time by ranger Paige Ritterbusch. J.T. was admitted into the hospital as a danger to himself and others, and was later transferred to a mental health crisis unit. He was booked into the county jail the following day on state charges of resisting arrest, parole violations, drunk in public and disturbing the peace. The county parole office is recommending that J.T. also be charged with assault with a deadly weapon and threatening a peace officer. J.T. has an extensive criminal history, which includes six active warrants from Bellingham, Washington. [David Barland-Liles, PR, REDW, 9/15]
Parks throughout the system are making preparations for millennium-related events which will take place on or around New Years Eve. The Morning Report will provide continuing updates on those preparations and on the activities themselves as they occur. Today's initial entry comes from Jerry McCarthy in Pacific West Region: o Redwood N&SP (CA) - Park staff are involved in mutual aid planning to deal with threats received by local and state agencies. All emergency personnel will be in park during the week. Parks making similar preparations are encouraged to submit short summaries to the Morning Report. [Editor]
On October 16th, ranger David Bauer was approached by a camper at the Freshwater Spit camping area who said that a man dressed in full camouflage clothing had urinated all over the interior of a park restroom several times that day. Bauer approached 42-year-old D.R.B. of Tennessee. During a frisk of D.R.B., Bauer found a loaded .22 derringer in his jacket pocket. D.R.B. told Bauer that he was a convicted felon and had taken the gun from his brother in Tennessee without his knowledge or consent. D.R.B. was arrested and imprisoned. On October 28th, he entered into a plea agreement in California superior court in which he pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 16 months in state prison. D.R.B. made statements to Bauer that indicated he was depressed and having suicidal thoughts. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 11/5]
Park maintenance workers discovered the mangled remains of an NPS bear-proof trash can near the entrance of Howland Hill Outdoor School in the park early on the morning of November 18th. It appears that the can was damaged through the detonation of a powerful bomb which had been placed inside it. Rangers and county investigators are investigating. There are no suspects at this time. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 11/29]
Mountain lion researchers working on an interagency study of lion habitat discovered that a lion nicknamed "Otis" had been illegally killed just outside the park's boundary on private lands sometime during the week of November 7th. Hunting of mountain lions is illegal in California. The lion was collared inside the park earlier this year and was providing considerable data on its utilization of the park and environs. California fish and game wardens and NPS rangers investigated the site of the killing. A reward of $1,000 for information on the killing has been offered. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 11/30]
An observant off-duty park employee saw and reported a poaching incident in the Bald Hills area of the park on Christmas day. Rangers Paige Ritterbush and Dave Barland-Liles responded. As they approach the suspect vehicle, the driver sped off at a high rate of speed. The rangers pursued the truck for about six miles, but it failed to stop and fled into the Hoopa Reservation, which adjoins the park. Tribal and county police were notified. State park ranger Javier Morales and NPS ranger Al Fieldson, who were responding together as backup, came upon a juvenile male walking along the road and determined that he'd been dropped off and abandoned by the fleeing suspects. Rangers found a recently shot bull elk and other evidence at the scene. The suspect pickup truck was found in Hoopa. The operator consented to a search by rangers, tribal police and deputies. A rifle and corroborating evidence linking the truck to the site of the killing were found and seized and taken to the FWS forensics lab in Ashland. On December 27th, rangers, wardens and tribal police found the third person involved in the incident. State and federal charges are being sought, including evading/fleeing rangers, waste of game, taking an elk out of season, discharging a firearm from the road, resource damage, off-road travel, careless operation, reckless endangerment, giving false information, and other possible charges. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 12/31]
Rangers Paige Ritterbusch and David Barland-Liles saw a herd of about 40 Roosevelt elk forced from a bridge spanning rain-swollen Prairie Creek by a driver who headed at them at a high rate of speed. The panicked elk were able to escape without serious injury by jumping over guardrails and down several embankments. The rangers stopped the vehicle and discovered that there was a felony arrest warrant out against the driver - R.F., 42, of Orick, California - for dumping hazardous materials. He was arrested. R.F. was also charged with a probation violation and with frightening and intentionally disturbing wildlife (36 CFR 2.2(A)(2)). R.F. has a number of prior convictions, including one for battery and another for DUI/drugs (causing bodily harm). [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 1/18]
A.H., 55, and his son C.H., 26, both of Citrus Heights, California, were eel fishing at the mouth of the Klamath River on April 28th when a wave struck them from behind and knocked them into the water. Fellow fishermen were able to pull C.H. onto shore, but were not able to reach Alton. He was swept out into the Pacific Ocean. Coast Guard helicopters and cutters and ground searchers from the park, Del Norte County SAR, Klamath VFD, and the California Highway Patrol were unable to locate A.H., and he is presumed to have drowned. A.H. is the brother of Redwood NP maintenance employee Rodney A.H., who is currently on leave battling cancer. Rodney is an approved leave recipient; those who would like to contribute leave to him may contact the human resource office at Redwood National Park at 707-464-6101 x 5021. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 5/1]
Approximately 200 people participated in a demonstration at Freshwater Spit on July 2nd. The group protested planned actions stemming from the recently completed interagency (NPS and California State Parks) general management plans, which call for phasing out overnight use of the spit and converting it to a day use area. The plans also call for closing the parks' seashores to off-road vehicle travel, except through permits for commercial fishing activities, mobility-impaired access, or Native American access to state park beaches. Many of the protestors were residents from the nearby town of Orick who were seeking to maintain the status quo. Although park representatives had contacted informal leaders of the demonstration in advance of the event, they refused to obtain a permit for the demonstration. The protestors walked the mile-long length of the spit, which parallels busy U.S. 101, carrying banners stating their disapproval of park plans. The protests affected visitors camped in nearly 300 tents and RV's on the spit, but no incidents occurred during the event. Rangers monitored the protest to assure public safety. Other incidents at Freshwater Spit over the Fourth of July weekend included the arrest of a man who held a knife to a woman's throat and an accident on U.S. 101 involving three motorcycles that resulted in a fatality and numerous major injuries. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 7/5]
On the morning of July 17th, rangers were escorting a maintenance crew into an area known as Hidden Beach to install gates as part of a closure of the parks' seashore to off-road vehicle travel under the provisions of a recently completed interagency GMP. They found the road blocked by a private motor vehicle whose driver was soon joined by a known local anti-park activist. Since no local law enforcement officers were available, the employees turned around and departed the area to avoid a confrontation. On the morning of July 18th, rangers and the maintenance crew were nearing the southern beach access at Freshwater Spit to install a gate there when the same local anti-park activist parked his vehicle in such a manner as to block the heavy equipment. After several lawful orders to move the vehicle, the activist, E.S., 56, of Orick, California, was arrested, transported to Humboldt County jail, and charged with interfering with agency function and failure to obey numerous lawful orders. NPS rangers were supported by several units from the California Highway Patrol and a California State Park ranger. Once the vehicle was removed, gate installation work began. On the morning of July 19th, a large fire of suspicious origins was reported in the Hidden Beach area. Park and CDF firefighters and engine crews, supported by a helicopter that made 113 bucket drops, brought the blaze under control. Arson is suspected. Meanwhile, work continued on the gate installation project. Although there was no direct interference, antagonistic activities occurred throughout the day. Rangers have received death threats stemming from planned GMP actions. and numerous pipe bombs have been found in the park. One of them exploded near the Howland Hill Outdoor School last fall, destroying a trash can, on the night of the California State Park Commission's hearing on the GMP. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 7/19]
On the morning of July 19th, a large fire of suspicious origins was reported in the Hidden Beach area. Park and CDF firefighters and engine crews brought the blaze under control. Arson was suspected and has since been confirmed. A six-foot high pile of driftwood was constructed and ignited; the fire then spread to surrounding vegetation. It was declared out on July 22nd. The fire is thought to be related to protests against implementation of aspects of the park's new GMP. Several other incidents of vandalism and theft have been reported. Local truckers were making their feelings known earlier this week though numerous incidents of antagonism and careless driving, but phone calls to the dispatchers of the trucking firms seem to have remedied the problem. An attempt to breach the seashore at the mouth of Redwood Creek was detected on the morning of the 22nd, the same day that an ORV closure was put into effect at Crescent Beach in the North District. Work on gate installation continued unabated through the afternoon of the 21st at Freshwater Spit in the South District and will continue next week. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 7/22]
During the month of July, an arson fire, several pipe bombs, threats to staff and related incidents occurred in the park as part of a protest against ORV closures and other provisions of the park's new GMP. Gates have since been installed barring access to Freshwater Spit and the off-road vehicle closure has been put into effect. Five SET members have been brought in to augment the park's protection staff and help provide 24-hour patrol coverage. Numerous attempts at intimidation of maintenance staff and rangers have been documented. Many local residents remain very much concerned about the closures and emotions continue to run high. There have been no serious incidents. Enhanced patrol coverage continues. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 8/8]
Due to an unclear message from the park, the August 11th Morning Report erroneously indicated that two pipe bombs exploded in the park in July. Although there were no bomb explosions in July, seven pipe bombs have been found in or near park lands or offices over the last four years. On August 3, 1996, an unexploded pipe bomb was found in a park restroom at Redwood Creek overlook. On October 15, 1996, another unexploded pipe bomb was found on a tree stump along the Bald Hills Road. On January 8, 1998, a student was caught in Arcata after shooting paint balls at the building which has offices for nearly 20 park employees; he had two bombs in his possession. On May 2, 1998 and again on October 23, 1998, pipe bombs were found in the chemical restrooms at Stone Lagoon State Park, located immediately to the south of and sharing a common boundary with the park. NPS rangers responded to that incident. Lastly, an apparent pipe bomb was detonated on November 17, 1999 at Howland Hill Outdoor School, totally destroying a bear-proof trashcan. This bombing occurred on the same night that the California State Parks Commission formally passed the park's interagency GMP. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 8/16]
On Christmas Day last year, rangers Paige Ritterbusch and Dave Barland-Liles were notified of shots fired in the Bald Hills area of the park. A witness said that he saw an elk in the area before the shots were fired and described a suspect vehicle. When the rangers approached, two men - later identified as B.B. and J.M., both 19 and from Hoopa, California - fled in the vehicle, eluding rangers because a tire blew out on the patrol vehicle. The carcass of a large bull Roosevelt elk was found at the location where the shots were fired, and the men were subsequently found to have had rifles in their possession at the time of the incident. A joint investigation was conducted by rangers and California game wardens and sufficient evidence was found to bring B.B. and J.M. to court. B.B. was convicted of misdemeanor waste of game; he was sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years' probation, fined $1,350, and ordered to perform 150 hours of community service. J.M. was convicted on the same charge, sentenced to two years' probation, and also fined $1,350. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 8/22]
On August 24th, approximately 120 people took part in a signing ceremony at the picnic area north of Freshwater Lagoon associated with an RS-2477 assertion (a statute regarding access to public lands). This assertion claims a right-of-way to the areas recently gated to close off vehicular access to the park's seashores. A small group representing several organizations in Orick, California, and led by the Blue Ribbon Coalition, an Idaho-based group that promotes access to public lands, then delivered the assertion to park headquarters in Crescent City. The park issued a special use permit for both First Amendment activities. The gatherings were peaceful and without incident. NPS staff and the field solicitor are reviewing the assertion and preparing a response. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 8/30]
Biologists for a timber company near the park notified staff of a dead mountain lion a quarter mile outside park boundaries on Bald Hills Road on September 20th. Rangers and resource managers found the remains of a lion known as "Blue," dead from a gunshot wound. "Blue" was the first lion to be collared in 1998 as part of an interagency mountain lion research project and was providing researchers with valuable information on the area's mountain lion population and habits. Scientists are investigating the animal's behavioral interactions with humans and determining the home range and distribution patterns of mountain lions within the Redwood Creek watershed. Three of the nine collared lions have been killed to date - two by poachers and a third by a neighboring landowner reportedly protecting his dog when the lion appeared on his property. Hunting of mountain lions is illegal in California. A reward of $1,000 has been offered for information on the killing. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 9/26]
On July 3rd, rangers Paige Ritterbusch, Jeff Roberts and Russ Brautigam responded to a report of a man holding a knife to a woman's throat at the Freshwater Spit campground. Witnesses confirmed that D.B., 37, had held a large bowie knife to the throat of the woman he lived with. He was arrested and charged under state codes for assault and battery and inflicting corporal injury on a cohabitant. On October 2nd, D.B. plead guilty in county superior court and was convicted of disturbing the peace. He was sentenced to 15 days in jail. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 10/10]
Over the last several months, alert rangers have caught eight people illegally picking culinary and hallucinogenic mushrooms and ornamental plants within the park. On November 10th, ranger Dave Bauer caught Eureka residents S.C. and his wife in possession of a large plastic bag of mushrooms that weighed about twenty pounds. Bauer found another bag of mushrooms in the trunk of their car, along with evidence that they might have been collecting for commercial purposes. S.C. was issued a violation notice and all mushrooms were confiscated. Later that same day, Bauer contacted J.D. of Loletta, who was loading a white box into his vehicle. Bauer found that it contained a variety of mushrooms that J.D. had picked in the park. The mushrooms were confiscated and violation notices were issued. On December 2nd, ranger Kain Hanschke saw two men who were evidently picking up plants. State park ranger Richard French joined Hanschke and the two rangers contacted J.S. of Eureka and R.F. of Arcata. The pair had several species of plants in their possession, including cow parsnip, old man's beard, leatherleaf fern, douglas iris and small sitka spruce trees. The plants were confiscated and the two men were issued violation notices. And, on December 18th, ranger Dave Barland-Liles saw three men who were apparently picking psilocybin mushrooms, a fungi with a known hallucinogenic effect. All three fled when he approached. Barland-Liles and state ranger Javier Morales eventually caught up with one of them - J.R. of Orick - and found that he had 30 of the mushrooms in his possession. They were confiscated and Rome was cited for possession of a controlled substance and for disturbing plants in the park. The identity of the two other pickers has not yet been determined. In all these cases, the park may seek reimbursement for damages and costs of the investigations under the National Park Resource Protection Act (16 USC 19jj). [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 12/21)
On September 22nd, ranger Paige Ritterbusch investigated a report of a shot fired in the Bald Hills. On her way there, she asked a number of drivers if they'd seen any suspicious vehicles or heard any gunshots; none had. Just below the Schoolhouse Peak lookout, she asked the same question of the occupants of a pickup - and saw that there was a rifle sitting upright between the driver - B.W., 47, of Klamath - and his passenger. The rifle hadn't been rendered inoperable, as is required in a park, and bullets were immediately available. State ranger Richard French joined Ritterbusch. The rangers subsequently found a .22 rifle behind the seat, a third rifle in the rear tool box (which belonged to the passenger), and a deer that had been taken legally well outside of the parks. B.W. was cited for weapons violation and released. A follow-up investigation led to the discovery that B.W. has two prior felony convictions for marijuana cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale. The U.S. attorney's office and ATF were notified and a joint investigation ensued. Arrest and search warrants were obtained and executed on November 30th at B.W.'s residence. B.W. was arrested and indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Investigation and court proceedings are ongoing. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 12/21]
R.H., 35, of Louisville, Kentucky, has been found guilty of first degree murder in the death of David Schauer, whose body was found in the Lost Man Creek area of the park on August 13, 1999. R.H. will automatically be sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of parole. R.H.'s companion at the time of the incident, E.R., plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter last fall and testified against R.H. in his trial. She faces up to 11 years in prison. The two were arrested two weeks after the murder by state officers in Yavapai County, Arizona. They were located through information on Schauer's stolen Isuzu disseminated via a "be on the lookout" message put out by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. R.H. and E.R. were extradited to California and held until trial. R.H. and E.R. were homeless and had arrived in the park area just before the murder. They did not know the victim. Following the murder, they stole Schauer's rented vehicle and traveled through Nevada and into Arizona, charging some purchases to the victim's credit cards. The Humboldt County District Attorney's Office was complimentary of state and national park rangers involved in the case, praising the special technical support (maps, GIS information, etc.) that the park provided to assist with presenting evidence in the case. They also spoke highly of the testimony of an off-duty park employee who saw R.H. and E.R. go up the Lost Man Creek trail soon after Schauer did. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 1/16]
In response to President Bush's commitment to reduce the National Park Service backlog of deferred maintenance, the Service is establishing a process and systems to validate and verify deferred maintenance cost estimates as well as measure progress in reducing the backlog. To begin the implementation of this process, the Park Facilities Management Division has brought the Service's national Type I incident management team (Skip Brooks, IC) to Washington to begin a comprehensive condition assessment program for the Service. The team is operating under a delegation of authority signed by Dick Ring, the associate director for park operations and education. As of now, plans are to conduct the assessment at six pilot parks this year - Redwood N&SP, Santa Monica NRA, Effigy Mounds NM, Fort Caroline NM, Timucuan E&HP, and Big Cypress NP. The team is employing subject matter experts from these parks and throughout the Service to carry out this effort. At some point, the program will be expanded to 30 parks or more. Once complete, the program will be reviewed and validated by an impartial, independent organization so that the public and the Congress can have confidence that the information is accurate. There are 13 people assigned to the incident at present, with more subject matter experts en route. [Greg Stiles, Planning Section Chief, IMT, WASO, 3/8]
On May 5th, the Elk Meadow day use area was officially opened at a dedication ceremony that was attended by about 170 guests. This area will serve as a major hub for a variety of activities, including elk-watching, picnicking, biking and hiking various trails in the area. Among the latter will be the recently completed Trillium Falls trail. This area was formerly an eight-acre asphalt deck where old-growth redwood logs were stored while awaiting milling. The project took over four years to complete, and involved recycling the asphalt, elimination of hazardous materials found on site, major restoration of two creeks in the area, and construction of a restroom, parking lot and trail. Development of the site entailed working near and around habitat for several endangered species, including the marble murrelet, spotted owl and salmon. Several agencies were involved in the project or provided significant support - the Save the Redwoods League, Georgia Pacific, NPCA, the Federal Highway Administration, and the California Department of Transportation. State and national park staff provided labor, equipment and project oversight. The event was preceded by a luncheon provided by the Redwood Park Association at Wolf Creek Outdoor School. The Orick Chamber of Commerce sponsored a "mixer" after the event. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 5/9
On May 11th, D."M."O., 71, of Requa, California, was convicted in federal court on two counts of Lacey Act violations for possessing and transporting two cow elk taken illegally within the park. D.O. also pled guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. An observant state game warden saw the elk carcasses hanging on D.O.'s property, which lies within the Yurok Reservation, in January, 1999. The warden alerted state and NPS rangers and BIA police. Two kill sites were found along the park's Coastal Drive the next day, and a search warrant was subsequently executed at D.O.'s residence. DNA analysis was conducted by the state's fish and game crime lab. The animal remains recovered from the kill sites were positively matched with the carcasses at the D.O. residence. FWS special agents were of great assistance on the Lacey Act aspects of the investigations, and ATF assisted with the firearms aspects of the case. The U.S. Attorney's Office was very helpful in prosecution of these and numerous other cases occurring in the parks. D.O. will be sentenced on September 18th. He faces $100,000 in fines and up to a year in prison for each Lacey Act violation and up to ten years and $250,000 in fines for the federal firearms violations. The NPS will also seek restitution and replacement costs associated with the case. Dave Bauer was the lead ranger on the case. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 5/31]
On the afternoon of June 3rd, rangers responded to a report that a woman had sustained serious injuries in a fall near the Klamath River overlook. A.H., 24, of Arcata, was found lying on rocks near the ocean, about 200 feet below the bluff where the overlook is located. Due to the steep, brushy slope and the nature of A.H.'s injuries, rangers and Del Norte County SAR team members employed a litter and CHP helicopter to evacuate and transport her to a hospital. A.H. suffered numerous injuries, including trauma to her back and possible paralysis. The hoisting winch on the CHP helicopter was a relatively new addition, and SAR team members first trained with it just two weeks ago. [Rusty Jensen, Acting CR, REDW, 6/7]
On April 4th, personnel from the parks, local law enforcement agencies, the county SAR team and the Coast Guard located and retrieved the body of a 56-year-old male who apparently committed suicide by jumping off a 150-foot-high sea cliff in Redwood NP. The victim, a local Klamath resident, was the subject of a search that began on the afternoon of April 3rd. Acquaintances of the victim reported that he had been despondent for several weeks and had stated his intent to commit suicide in the park. [Scott Wanek, REDW, 4/5]
The 76-year-old driver of a vehicle heading southbound on Highway 101 attempted to pass another vehicle on the afternoon of July 31st and collided head-one with a northbound vehicle. The driver of the southbound vehicle and the 79-year-old driver of the northbound vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene. The 71-year-old female passenger of the southbound vehicle and 78-year-old passenger of the northbound vehicle were flown to local hospitals by Coast Guard helicopters. The passenger of the southbound vehicle was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. [Scott Wanek, CR, REDW]
On August 13th, rangers investigated a rental vehicle that had been left unattended at the High Bluff overlook for two days and determined that it was to have been turned back in on July 29th. A search was begun for the driver; participating were rangers, local SAR personnel and California Highway Patrol officers. Searchers found the driver's body on a rock near the ocean about a half mile south of the overlook just after noon. Evidence indicates that the 50-year-old victim died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. [Scott Wanek, CR, REDW]
On February 5, a special agent at Yellowstone NP received information
that a set of six by six elk antlers were being auctioned on eBay as
"Yellowstone" elk antlers (investigators at Yellowstone routinely pursue
cases of items stolen from the park and sold on eBay). The agent
determined that the seller lived near Redwood N&SP and accordingly
contacted rangers there for assistance. The rangers confirmed that the
antlers had been stolen from the park and contacted the seller. He was
cooperative, acknowledged that the antlers were taken from Yellowstone,
and willingly surrendered them to rangers. Charges are pending with the
U.S. attorney.
On the evening of August 11th, rangers found an abandoned illegal
campsite in the Klamath area of the park. During investigation of the
site, they discovered a vehicle insurance certificate. A check of the
identification number indicated the associated vehicle had been stolen
out of Norfolk, Virginia, and provided the name of a suspect who was
said to be armed with a shotgun and suicidal. Also found at the site was
an empty long gun case. The rangers transmitted an alert for the vehicle
and suspect to area agencies. Later that evening, a county deputy found
the vehicle in the park along Enderts Beach Road, just south of Crescent
City. He requested backup and initiated a felony arrest at gunpoint. The
operator would not obey any instructions; he then reached under the
seat, took out a shotgun, and shot himself.
Over the past several months, the north coast of California and
Redwood National and State Parks have experienced a rash of auto
burglaries. On October 12th, based on intelligence obtained from a
concealed video camera, rangers staked out the Skunk Cabbage trailhead
within the park. An hour after the operation began, they saw J.D.D.
Jr., 22, take a flat-head screwdriver from his car, and, in just
seconds, pry open the lock mechanism on a vehicle parked at the
trailhead. Rangers subsequently arrested J.D.D. and two companions. When
confronted with video footage of a previous auto burglary in the park,
J.D.D. confessed to that burglary as well. J.D.D. told the rangers that
another person recorded on video with him during a previous burglary was
in jail in Humboldt County for an unrelated auto burglary case.
Execution of a search warrant produced further evidence that is being
shared with other law enforcement agencies in the area. Investigation
into other suspects continues. Dave Vecera is the case ranger.
On December 26th, off-trail hikers discovered a body south of Nickel
Creek campground. Rangers and county deputies responded and determined
that the man had evidently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The
man had last been seen by family members four days previously and had
been reported as missing and possibly suicidal on December 24th. Because
of the late hour and difficult terrain, rangers secured the area for the
night, then recovered the body the following morning with the help of
Del Norte County SAR and a CHP helicopter.
On Friday, January 2nd, state and national park rangers were
dispatched to Freshwater Lagoon Spit in Redwood National Park to
investigate a report of two people swept out into the Pacific Ocean. The
Coast Guard, Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, California Highway
Patrol, California Department of Forestry, and the Orick Volunteer Fire
Department also responded. Nine members of a large, extended family had
been playing at the water's edge when two large 'rogue' waves swept over
eight of them. All were able to escape the surf and get back to the
beach except for an eight-year-old boy. The boy's 38-year-old uncle
entered the water in an attempt to rescue him, but was swept out to sea.
Rescue personnel, who arrived on scene about 20 minutes later, obtained
descriptions of the victims and began searching the shoreline northward
from the point where they'd entered the cold ocean water. NPS ranger
Paul Tibbetts entered the surf in a wetsuit with a rescue board, but was
unable to locate either victim. Rangers and bystanders eventually found
the boy's uncle washed up in the surf approximately 500 yards north of
his entry point. He was pulled from the water unconscious and lacking
vital signs. Rangers, assisted by other agency personnel, administered
CPR until paramedics arrived and pronounced the victim dead. The
interagency search for the eight-year-old, who is presumed dead,
continued into the evening and resumed the next morning. The north coast
of California continues to experience severe winter weather, causing
rough seas. Rogue waves, which take lives almost every year, are common
during the winter and can occur without warning, even on seemingly calm
days. Rangers will continue to warn park visitors of these hazardous
conditions. Warning signs are also permanently posted along this stretch
of beach and were in place at the time of the accident.
Around noon on February 21st, a National Park Service ranger
responded to a request from the Del Norte County Sheriff's Department to
assist with a shooting incident in progress at Arbor Glenn Trailer Park
in Klamath. Deputies, who had been dispatched to a reported shooting,
were being fired upon and were attempting to talk a man armed with a
rifle — late identified as T.C., 52, a convicted violent
felon — into coming out of his trailer. With T.C. barricaded in
his trailer, sheriff's deputies, with assistance from other agencies,
evacuated the trailer park and closed Highway 101. Despite efforts to
get T.C. to surrender, he continued to challenge and fire upon
officers. Upon arriving on scene, the ranger was instructed by the
sergeant in charge of the incident to take a position next to him while
officers negotiated with T.C.. During negotiations, T.C. began
firing a rapid succession of rounds at officers. Officers, including the
ranger, returned fire. Deputies were able to establish phone contact
with T.C. and eventually convince him to surrender. He was taken into
custody and treated for several gunshot wounds, and remains in stable
condition at Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City. It was later
determined that T.C. had fatally shot his 67-year-old neighbor prior
to the officers' arrival, and that T.C.'s victim had been shot
numerous times in his upper torso and extremities.
Late on the evening of Thursday, March 4th, J.S. reported to rangers that his three companions — A."R.".Y., 18, J.M., 18, and D.S., 18 — had failed to return from a short off-trail hike looking for mushrooms within Redwood National Park. Rangers conducted hasty searches of the immediate area and associated road networks throughout the night without success. A joint command with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department was established the following morning and the search area was expaned. Searchers found J.M. and D.S. on an abandoned logging road within the search area around 11:30 a.m. Over the next two days, the search for A.Y. grew to include 40 people, nine search dogs and air support from the Coast Guard. The search was concentrated in the steep and difficult terrain of the Little Lost Man Creek and Lost Man Creek drainages. On the afternoon of March 7th, Yunis was found on another logging road in the search area. He'd spent 72 hours in the field without food and with only minimal clothing. He was transported by ambulance to Mad River Hospital in Arcata, where he was admitted to the ICU.[Submitted by Scott Wanek, Chief Ranger]
Three NPS biologists in a park vehicle were returning to the park's South Operations Center just before midnight on May 3rd following an evening of owl monitoring in the Bald Hills area of the park. As they traveled down the road, they encountered an SUV pulling a U-Haul trailer parked in the uphill lane of the road with its headlights on. As they slowed down to pass the vehicle on the right, they saw a man standing between the trailer and the SUV. They stopped approximately five car lengths downhill from the SUV, then started to back-up to see if the SUV was broken down or if the man needed any assistance. Just as the driver put the vehicle in reverse, the man began firing at them with a high-powered rifle, breaking out the back window and striking the vehicle numerous times. Once the biologists realized what was happening, they crouched down in their vehicle and sped off downhill. No one was hurt. They continued toward the office and contacted park dispatch by cell phone. Dispatch had just been notified by the California Highway Patrol about a vehicle matching the description of the SUV/trailer that had been involved in a shooting with their officers earlier in the day. A multi-agency search is underway; participating are Humboldt County deputies, California Highway Patrol officers, and Hoopa and Yurok tribal officers. The SUV was found on Highway 169 near Johnsons. The search continues. [Submitted by Tom Bowling-Schaff, Park Ranger ]
Three NPS biologists in a park vehicle were returning to the park's South Operations Center just before >midnight on May 3rd following an evening of owl monitoring in the Bald Hills area of the park. They saw an SUV that appeared to be broken down, so stopped to see if the operator needed any assistance. As they approached, the driver began firing at them with a high-powered rifle, breaking out the back window and striking the vehicle numerous times. Once the biologists realized what was happening, they crouched down in their vehicle and sped off downhill. No one was hurt. The same man had been involved in a shooting with CHP officers earlier that day. In late June, the Eureka Times-Standard carried a report that summed up what happened thereafter: "In a scene reminiscent of a Western movie, the man suspected of opening fire on numerous police officers in Del Norte and Humboldt counties last month was taken into custody after a shoot-out with Mexican authorities in a brothel. "The Humboldt County Sheriff's Department said Francisco M.L., 29, is in custody in the state of Michoacan in west-central Mexico. "The Crescent City Police Department said M.L. was arrested in the city of Apatcingan. "Mexican authorities were alerted to M.L. when someone saw a gun in his waistband while he was in a brothel's bar. When police tried to arrest him, a shoot-out ensued and two officers were wounded. M.L. eventually ran out of ammunition and was arrested. "Police learned that M.L. was wanted on four homicide arrest warrants in Mexico. He is also a suspect in 13 other homicides in Mexico. "The Sheriff's Department said another man arrested with M.L., whose name was not released, is the suspected head of a Mexican drug cartel. "Local investigators have known M.L. was in Mexico since a couple of days after the North Coast shootings and have been working with the FBI and Mexican officials. "'I am ecstatic over this news,' said Crescent City Police Chief Douglas Plack. 'As promised to the citizens of Crescent City, their police department was not going to let this investigation fall to the wayside.' "M.L. was living in Crescent City on May 3 when he allegedly opened fire on police officers from the California Highway Patrol, the Hoopa Tribal Police Department, the Sheriff's Department and National Park Service biologists over a 14-hour period. "The Sheriff's Department said M.L. will be held to answer to the
homicide charges in Mexico. It is not clear if he will be returned to
the United States to face 13 counts of attempted
homicide."
When ranger Curt Vade Bon Coeur failed to report to work on Monday, January 24th, his supervisor asked a state park ranger to check his residence, located in Tolowa State Dunes SP. Vade Bon Coeur lived there by himself. When the ranger checked the residence around 4 p.m., he looked through a window and saw Vade Bon Coeur motionless in the bathroom. He entered and confirmed that Vade Bon Couer had died. The Del Norte County Sheriff's Office was contacted and deputies and investigators responded. Also responding were several NPS rangers. The Del Norte County Sheriff's Office continues the investigation into the death, with the support of NPS and California State Park staff. Foul play is not suspected at this time. The park staff grieves the loss of a fine ranger and a fine person. Curt Vade Bon Coeur had worked at Redwood National and State Parks for almost ten years and had many ties with the local community. He began his NPS career in 1983 as a seasonal ranger at Buffalo National River and subsequently worked at Shenandoah NP, Yosemite NP, Delaware Water Gap NRA, and St. Croix NSR. Curt was 44 years old at the time of his passing. Details on funeral arrangements to follow. [Submitted by Rick Nolan, Acting Chief Ranger]
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean at approximately 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14th, about 90 miles off the coastline of Redwood National and State Parks. The shaking from the quake on the coastline was only moderate and no damage has been found, but the severity of the quake triggered a tsunami warning for potential large waves within a half hour. State and national park rangers evacuated visitors from low-lying campgrounds and beaches and got them to high ground. The earthquake did not produce any tsunami waves, though, and an all clear was given within an hour of the quake. Gold Bluffs Beach campground is the campground in the parks that is
most at risk from the impacts of a tsunami. Ironically, the first
evening campfire program of the summer season at Gold Bluffs was
scheduled to start at 8 p.m. that evening. The topic of the program was
to be tsunamis.
After an investigation of several months, arrest warrants were served on two local Orick residents on Thursday, November 10th, for attempted grand larceny for "poaching" downed old growth redwood logs from within Redwood National and State Parks. Both old growth and second growth wood is regularly and illegally removed from the park to be converted into commercial products, such as shingles and carved bears. Working with a very supportive district attorney's office in Humboldt County, park rangers are hoping a strong prosecution will result in far fewer wood theft incidents in the future. [Pat Grediagin, Chief Ranger]
A series of Pacific storms have hit the parks over the past ten days, bringing flooding rains and high winds. Sustained winds to 50 mph for periods up to 24 hours, gusts over 90 mph, and rainfall of as much as 14 inches over the period have brought down many trees and caused localized flooding. A state park employee was injured on Friday, December 30th, when a tree fell on and crushed the GSA vehicle she was driving on Highway 101. She was flown to a hospital in Eureka with broken/chipped vertebrae in her back and a broken clavicle. Highway 101, the main road through the park, has been closed intermittently for periods up to 24 hours with flooding and downed trees. Many park roads are currently closed due to downed trees and several mud slides. All park campgrounds are closed. The last major wind event from this series of storms was on Tuesday. Damage assessment is ongoing and will be more extensive once winds die down and staff can safely conduct a thorough survey of storm impacts. [Rick Nolan, Chief of Interpretation]
On the afternoon of Saturday, February 25th, an NPS ranger responded to the Jedediah Smith area of Redwood National and State Parks in response to a report of a vehicle burglary. Scanner traffic from the California Highway Patrol indicated that the victim was pursuing the suspects in his vehicle and heading towards Crescent City on Highway 199. The suspects' vehicle ran out of gas while still in the park. CHP officers found the vehicle and its two occupants - a 23-year-old man and 28-year-old woman - and detained them until the ranger arrived on scene. The ranger interviewed the victims, who identified the pair as the burglars who broke into their car. They were arrested and taken to the Del Norte County jail by county deputies. Meanwhile, the victims identified several items that were taken from their vehicle. Rangers subsequently determined that the suspect vehicle had been stolen from Vancouver, Washington, in the early morning hours of the 25th. Several state charges are pending for the burglary, the theft of the vehicle, and receipt of stolen property. Later in the evening, a third suspect was interviewed by the CHP in Crescent City. He said that he had been in the stolen vehicle and that he ran into the woods when the vehicle ran out of gas. He had a stolen wallet in his possession. When a ranger arrived on scene, he attempted to show him where he'd hidden the wallet, but without success. On the following day, he called rangers and said that he was certain he could take them to the victim's wallet. Rangers returned to the area with him and this time found it. The man was arrested and booked for vehicle theft, receipt of stolen property, and petty theft. A joint investigation is underway. [Doug Corrigan, Acting Chief Ranger]
A local man who pled guilty to attempted grand larceny for poaching downed old-growth redwood in Redwood National and State Parks was sentenced last week to serve 120 days in jail and three years probation. He was also ordered to pay $400 in restitution and was banned from the parks for three years. Rangers began an aggressive program of detection, investigation and prosecution of redwood poaching last summer. Last fall, two other men were convicted of destruction of natural resources and were banned from the parks. A fourth suspect is scheduled for a preliminary hearing later this month. All four men are from the nearby town of Orick. [Pat Grediagin, Chief Ranger]
On August 1st, local resident Christopher David Guffie was sentenced to 120 days in jail and three years probation for cutting and attempting to remove old-growth redwood from the park. Guffie was also ordered to pay restitution to the park and the courts. Rangers found Guffie splitting a downed old-growth redwood log inside the park a year ago and apprehended him after an hour-and-a-half long foot chase. Guffie is the fifth local resident successfully prosecuted for wood theft in the past year. [Pat Grediagin, Chief Ranger]
A four-year-old child and 21-year-old woman were swept into the ocean and drowned around midday on Sunday, October 22nd. The two victims and the child's mother, all from the Elk Grove, California, area, were picnicking on NPS land north of Freshwater Lagoon. The adult victim was recovered within an hour. The child was found almost three hours later, over a half-mile south of where she had been swept into the ocean. Both were transferred to the Mad River hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Representatives from the National Park Service, California Department of Parks and Recreation, U.S. Coast Guard, California Division of Forestry, Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, and Orick Volunteer Fire Department participated in the incident. [Pat Grediagin, Chief Ranger] HYPERLINK "http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/10/24/BAG4VLURR41.DTL"
On Friday, January 5th, a boat swamped in the Smith River, dumping a fishing guide and his client into the water. The client swam to shore but the guide disappeared and has not yet been found. The accident occurred within Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, a component of Redwood National and State Parks. The Del Norte County Sheriff's Department is the lead search and investigative agency. [Submitted by Pat Grediagin, Chief Ranger]
On the afternoon of January 24th, a mountain lion attacked one of two adults hiking in the Prairie Creek area of Redwood National and State Parks. The man and his wife were able to fend off the lion after a protracted struggle which included stabbing the lion in the eye with a pen. They then walked out to the roadway where park staff discovered and assisted them. The man had significant wounds and can likely attribute his survival to the presence and actions of his wife. He was transported to the hospital were he underwent reconstructive surgery and is ICU doing well. The area was closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. California Department of Fish and Game responded and is investigating along with staff from the parks. [Rosie White, Park Ranger] HYPERLINK "http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-cougars26jan26,1,5982536.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california"
On the afternoon of January 24th, a mountain lion attacked one of two adults hiking in the Prairie Creek area of Redwood National and State Parks. J.H. and his wife N.H. were able to fend off the lion after a protracted struggle which included stabbing the lion in the eye with a pen. They then walked out to the roadway where park staff discovered and assisted them. J.H. had significant wounds and can likely attribute his survival to the presence and actions of his wife. He was transported to the hospital were he underwent reconstructive surgery and is ICU doing well. The area was closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. California Department of Fish and Game responded and is investigating along with staff from the parks. The lion was subsequently identified and shot and killed. For an update on the incident and J.H.'s condition, click on "More Information" below. [Rosie White, Park Ranger] HYPERLINK "http://www.eurekareporter.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ArticleID=19853"
On January 19th, the body of Crescent City resident C.B. was found in the Smith River inside Redwood National and State Parks. C.B. disappeared in the river after a fishing mishap on January 5th. The Del Norte County Sheriff's Office, responsible for the search effort, used three certified search dogs to locate the body, which was found within 500 feet of the point where C.B. fell into the river from his boat. [Pat Grediagin, Chief Ranger]
Local resident B.L. drowned on Tuesday, April 10th, while fishing on private lands within the parks' boundaries. B.L. was hit by an unusually large "sneaker" wave while fishing for eel at the mouth of the Klamath River. He was swept to sea, where his body was later found by the Coast Guard. Assisting NPS staff in the search and recovery operation were personnel from the Yurok Public Safety Department and Del Norte County Sheriff's Office. This was the fifth drowning on lands and waters within the boundaries of Redwood National and State Parks since last October. None of the five was wearing a life jacket. [Pat Grediagin, Chief Ranger]
Park dispatch advised rangers that Del Norte County SAR was responding to a report of a man stuck on the cliff below the Crescent Beach overlook around 4:30 p.m. on July 30th. Ranger Kain Hanschke contacted the SAR team leader, who told him that Jamie Sanger, 39, of Phoenix, Arizona, was stuck on the cliff but was uninjured and was in touch with their dispatcher via his cell phone. Sanger could not be seen from either the overlook or the beach below. A Coast Guard helicopter was called in and a hoist operation Sanger was successfully extracted about an hour later. He was then flown to the Crescent City airport, where he was picked up by his wife. [Doug Corrigan, Acting Chief Ranger]
A major storm hammered parks across the region last weekend. Stern travel advisories and public information about the storm and its impacts may have helped reduce significant incidents during this widespread event. Recovery continues, as many communities shovel out, attempt to restore utilities, or wait to dry out. Another storm system is expected to bring rain/snow beginning early today. Here's a wrap-up from Pacific West parks: Redwoods - The park received three inches of rain and wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour over Friday and early Saturday - typical for a severe storm in northwest California at this time of the year. A power outage affected HQ for part of Friday. [Karen Newton, PWRO, with reports from Charles Cuvelier (YOSE), Craig Ackerman (ORCA), Ron Martin (LAVO), Nancy Wizner (REDW), and Colin Smith (PORE)]
C.H., 44, died on May 20th when a boat that he was in with three other people capsized near the mouth of the Klamath River. None of the four men on board was wearing a life jacket. C.H., Guadalupe Oscar, Nonnie Lee, and Michael Perry were gill-netting near the mouth of the river in a 16-foot, flat-bottomed jet drive boat when a docking line got caught in the propeller. The boat was swept into the surf zone and capsized. Perry and Oscar stayed with the overturned boat, but the other two men were caught in the waves. A Yurok tribal rescue boat arrived on scene shortly thereafter and picked up Perry and Oscar. Perry then directed his rescuers toward the point where he thought C.H. was located. They didn't find him, but - with the help of a Coast Guard helicopter out of Eureka - found Lee two miles off shore, where the river's current had carried him. Lee, who has a prosthetic leg and had been in the 55-degree water for nearly an hour and a half, was still alive when a Coast Guard rescue swimmer reached him and placed him in a basket to be hoisted into the helicopter. He was taken to Mercy Hospital in Redding to receive treatment for hypothermia and near drowning. C.H.'s body later washed up on shore. [The Daily Triplicate] HYPERLINK "http://www.triplicate.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=8791"
On Sunday, May 31st, the park received a report of some intoxicated juveniles at the Nickel Creek campground, which is located down a steep, narrow trail adjacent to some cliffs. An NPS ranger and a state ranger responded and encountered two men who appeared to be drunk. One of them, an adult, was very intoxicated and verbally abusive and challenged the rangers. The NPS ranger noted that he had tattoos that were consistent with those found on prison inmates and/or gang members. He employed his taser to subdue the man and take him into custody. A check revealed that he had an extensive criminal history with multiple felony convictions, including battery on a peace officer and escape from a jail by force. California Highway Patrol officers and a Crescent City canine unit provided backup. [Nancy Wizner, Chief Ranger]
On September 10th, Redwood National and State Parks conducted a marijuana eradication raid, utilizing an interagency anti-drug task force. The focus of the effort was a marijuana plantation in Redwood Creek that contained 9,564 plants and covered approximately five acres on steep terrain. This marijuana site is within six miles of the world's tallest tree in a park that is also a World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. Rangers detained five Mexican nationals for questioning about a mile from the marijuana growing operation. Three of them had prior deportations and were transferred to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). One who is on felony probation for marijuana was held on that violation and will be deported later. The fifth was charged with providing false information to an officer. A GIS specialist went in with the raid teams for the first time in NPS history to perform an immediate on the ground evaluation of the impacts to the natural resource during the raid. This documentation will be very beneficial for the restoration process. Significant resource damage has resulted from this illegal activity and an initial cleanup operation using California National Guard soldiers and helicopter is planned for October. This raid included almost 60 law enforcement and support staff. The National Park Service wishes to acknowledge and thank the support provided by Humboldt County Sheriff Office, Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP), North State Marijuana Investigation Team, California Department of Justice, California Fish and Game, California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, Green Diamond Resources Company, United States Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Marshall Service, California State Park Rangers, National Park Service SETT II team and ISB Pacific West special agents. [Rick Nolan, Chief of Interpretation and Education]
On the afternoon of October 16th, 20-year old visitor B.H. sustained critical injuries from an approximately 200-foot fall at the Crescent Beach overlook. Moments before her fall, a member of B.H.'s party saw her exploring the area by scrambling on a particularly steep and dangerous scree slope that terminates in a vertical drop. A California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) law enforcement ranger scrambled down the steep slope along an alternate route, located B.H. near the bottom of the slope, and began resuscitating the gravely injured woman. A National Park Service protection ranger and a member of the Del Norte County SAR team carried an EMS pack to their location and joined the CDPR ranger in providing medical care. A Coast Guard helicopter arrived within an hour and flew B.H. to Humboldt County's St Josephs Hospital, where she was pronounced dead within minutes of arrival in the emergency room. The competent professional response and care administered by rangers, the Del Norte County SAR team and the Coast Guard guaranteed that she had the best chance at a positive outcome, but her injuries proved to be too extensive. The incident is still under investigation. [Chief Ranger's Office]
On the afternoon of December 7th, a park visitor contacted ranger Paul Tibbetts and reported that he'd found a body while hiking in the High Bluffs overlook area. Tibbetts found the body of a 37-year-old man with an obvious fatal gunshot wound to his head, evidently self-inflicted. The Del Norte County Sheriff's Department and the coroner responded are leading the investigation. [Laura Denny, Law Enforcement Specialist]
The parks received a report of a poached Roosevelt elk near Enderts Beach Road in the Crescent Beach area on the morning of January 14th. Both state and NPS rangers responded and discovered that the female elk had been shot and gutted at the scene, probably between the early evening of January 13th and the early morning hours of the 14th. A reward for information leading to the arrest of the poacher or poachers has been authorized by the California Department of Fish and Game. [Nancy Wizner, Chief Ranger]
A multi-night law enforcement operation conducted over the weekend of July 17th at the Enderts Beach overlook parking area led to an arrest was for auto burglary and auto theft. The operation was undertaken due to a rash of auto burglaries and auto thefts that had occurred at the same location over the previous three weeks. A team of NPS and California Department of Parks and Recreation rangers watched as a vehicle left the area in a hurry around 1 a.m. on July 19th. After passing a marked law enforcement vehicle, the driver sped up significantly. After confirming that it was probably stolen, rangers began a pursuit. They saw the driver go through a stop sign and across Highway 101 onto a residential road, then lost sight of the vehicle on the residential streets. A methodical search of the area was begun and the stolen vehicle was found parked and still running. Rangers challenged the driver at gunpoint and ordered him to turn the engine off. Rather than do so, he attempted to flee in reverse, but flipped the vehicle on to its passenger side. The driver - who was the only occupant - was taken into custody at gun and taser point without incident. He was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and likely also under its influence. Once in custody, he complained of neck pain and was taken to Sutter Coast Hospital via Del Norte Ambulance. After being cleared at the hospital, he was taken to the Del Norte County jail. He is being investigated for auto burglary, auto theft, fleeing from law enforcement, and narcotics. CDPR will be the lead charging agency. [Lorant Veress, North District Ranger]
On Thanksgiving Day, an NPS ranger made a traffic stop along Howland Hill Road and found that the vehicle's three occupants were in possession of an untagged, quartered elk carcass, marijuana, what appeared to be methamphetamine, and stolen property. During the stop, one of the three fled on foot. With assistance from California state park rangers and Del Norte County Sheriff's Department officers, the other two were taken into custody and a search was begun for the third. He was not immediately found, but was identified and arrested two days later on another traffic stop. California Department of Game and Fish took over the investigation of the elk carcass, as a fresh elk gut pile was found just outside the parks' boundary. Crescent City Police Department and Del Norte County Sheriff's Office detectives determined that the stolen property was taken during a recent Crescent City home burglary. Although two of the offenses were committed outside the park, this incident highlights excellent interagency law enforcement cooperation in and around the park communities. Numerous felony and misdemeanor charges are pending in the California state court. [Chief Ranger's Office]
On Saturday, January 9th, an earthquake struck the northern California coast just southwest of Eureka. The 6.5 temblor was felt widely in northern California and southern Oregon, with some reports of shaking felt as far as Reno, Nevada. The southern end of Redwood National Park is located approximately 35 miles north of Eureka, in the town of Orick. The park maintains its southern headquarters in Orick, as well as some shared office space in Arcata. The Arcata office is within 30 miles of the earthquake epicenter. Many of the employees who work in Orick and Arcata live in communities around Humboldt Bay, which were most impacted by the quake. The office buildings in both Orick and Arcata suffered no structural damage from the quake. Two computer servers, one each in Arcata and Orick, were damaged, though, with one needing to be replaced. The other was repaired. Two computers that were operating during the quake were also damaged. One, a laptop, was damaged beyond repair, as the ground motion damaged the internal components (i.e. motherboard). The other was repaired and is back in service. The quake had varying impacts on employees living in the area near the epicenter. Those in Eureka almost unanimously reported this quake to be very severe and extremely frightening - and many of them have lived most of their lives in California and are no strangers to earthquakes. Most if not all the employees living in Eureka suffered material damage within their homes, with items flying off shelves or toppling over onto the floor. One reported finding all of her kitchen knives spread out on the floor throughout her kitchen, having been ejected from the knife block in which they were stored. Fortunately, none of these employees or their family members were injured, nor did any report structural damage to their property. Farther away in Arcata and McKinleyville, park employees reported the shaking as being scary, but not as severe as what has been described in Eureka. For folks in these communities, hardly any items toppled over and damage was minimal to non-existent. This was the largest quake in the region since 1992. It did not generate a tsunami because the motion on the fault was horizontal and therefore did not cause any significant sea floor displacement. There's about a four in five chance of a strong and possibly damaging aftershock occurring within the seven day period following the quake - that is, through this Friday. [Leonel Arguello, Resource Management]
Three visitors discovered a body at the south end of Freshwater Beach on the morning of Friday, July 30th. Humboldt County sheriffs who received the 911 call were first on scene and were soon followed by California State Parks ranger J. Morales and NPS ranger Heidi Barker. As part of the state/federal parks partnership, Barker took over the investigation and worked with the Humboldt County coroner, who made an initial determination that the death was a suicide. It appears that the subject, a 35- to 40-year-old man, took his life by cutting his own throat. Positive identification is still forthcoming, but a note left by the man and the registration of the accompanying vehicle indicate that he was from Texas. The body was taken by the coroner, who will be conducting a more in-depth evaluation. The case will remain open until a final determination is made. [Marshall Neeck, Chief Ranger]
California State Park ranger Mauricio Contreras and NPS ranger Paul Tibbetts rescued a distressed swimmer from the Smith River on August 29th. The 30-year-old Oregon man was swimming with friends near the Jedediah Smith campground picnic area when he disappeared in 20 feet of water. Contreras was one of the first rescuers in the water and worked with friends and bystanders to locate and bring the man to the surface. He was not breathing when he reached shore, so Tibbetts began and continued CPR until county ambulance personnel arrived and took over care. By the time he was transported to Sutter Coast Hospital, he had regained a pulse but was still not breathing on his own. He is currently in intensive care. [Marshall Neeck, Chief Ranger]
An 83-year-old woman was struck and killed by a tractor trailer truck on U.S. Route 199 near the Simpson Reed grove on the afternoon of September 14th. The woman was evidently walking west across the roadway in the southbound lane when she was hit. The driver of the truck applied his brakes and jackknifed the trailer into a car parked on the side of the road, but was unable to stop before hitting her. Personnel from Crescent City Fire, Smith River Fire and Del Norte Ambulance responded to the scene. The woman was flown to Providence Hospital in Medford, Oregon, by Cal-Ore Life Flight, where she succumbed to her injuries. This incident is currently under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. [Marshall Neeck, Chief Ranger]
From July through October, over 50 automobile burglaries occurred at various trailheads throughout the park's North District. Investigation by NPS rangers revealed that one of the victim's credit cards had been used at a local business within minutes after the burglary, and a suspect was captured on video surveillance footage. Collaboration with the local Crescent City Police Department led to the identification of a suspect, J.J.H., who was on non-revocable parole with the California Department of Corrections. Working with the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office drug task force, the investigating ranger participated in a warranted search of J.J.H.'s residence and recovered property that linked him to a number of burglaries that had occurred within the parks. A short time later, NPS and state park rangers made a traffic stop on J.J.H. and discovered burglary tools in his vehicle. The investigating NPS ranger compiled the case information and obtained a state arrest warrant. Although J.J.H. was arrested on this warrant, he was released on recognizance from the county jail pending a future court date. On October 30th, rangers investigated another auto burglary at a park trailhead. Within hours of that burglary, rangers conducted a parole stop and searched J.J.H. He was found to be in possession of additional burglary tools and property stolen during that day's burglary. J.J.H. was arrested and held in the county jail pending his initial appearance. On November 5th, he pled guilty to one count of burglary in state court and will be serving a four year sentence. The tenacious investigative efforts of NPS rangers, working closely with their local law enforcement counterparts, were solely responsible for this successful outcome. [Lorant Veress, North District Ranger]
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: Redwood - Tsunami waves began hitting beaches around 8 a.m. on Friday. Initially, the waves were not as large as expected, but subsequent waves grew in size and caused significant damage to the local harbor in Crescent City. Additional large waves as high as eight feet were predicted throughout the day, but never realized. By early Friday evening, the evacuation order for Crescent City was lifted. The headquarters facility in downtown Crescent City was unaffected, and only some minor debris was deposited in one picnic area parking lot. More remote areas are being checked, but little or no damage is anticipated. Park staff were intimately involved in the emergency response to this incident, assisting in the evacuation of Crescent City, local beaches, and remote beaches both inside and adjacent to the park. Rangers worked with IT staff to safeguard critical electronic systems at HQ, and provided assistance to local emergency personnel throughout the day. Only one fatality has been reported - an instance in which a person ignored warnings to stay off the beach and was swept out to sea while taking photographs of the incoming wave front. This happened at the mouth of the Klamath River on an inholding within the park. Crescent City harbor, which is adjacent to the park, was heavily damaged by the extreme currents caused by the surges. Most of the harbor's docks were destroyed, about 10 boats were sunk, and over 30 boats severely damaged. In the midst of this incident, rangers in the park's South District also performed a medical/SAR carryout of two individuals from the Lady Bird Johnson trail with assistance from California Department of Forestry work crews and Orick Volunteer Fire Department. [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]
California State Park ranger Mike Whelan investigated a report of a suspicious vehicle near Stout Grove on the afternoon of Sunday, April 2nd. Whelan found the body of a 27-year-old man with a single gunshot wound to his head lying underneath blankets in the back and trunk area of a newer model Honda Civic. Initial investigation by the county coroner revealed that the gunshot was self inflicted. The death will likely be ruled a suicide. [Marshall Neeck, Chief Ranger]
Three rangers - two from the National Park Service and one from the state - responded to a call regarding an unresponsive woman on the Peacock Bar Road. Arriving on scene, the rangers found an unconscious and unresponsive elderly woman slumped forward in the driver's seat of a sedan. The rangers found a suicide note, entered the vehicle, and assessed the woman, who had apparently ingested a large number of sundry pharmaceuticals. She was found to be unresponsive, cyanotic, and apneic. After clearing her mouth and airway, they began ventilating the woman via bag valve mask. After several minutes of ranger BLS level care, Del Norte County Ambulance ALS caregivers arrived on scene and assumed patient care. The woman recovered fully from her failed suicide attempt. Rangers contacted family members and facilitated family intervention on her behalf. [Lorant Veress, North District Ranger]
Four trees, including two very large old-growth coast redwoods over 8 feet in diameter, fell across Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park section of the park on Wednesday morning. Until the trees are removed, approximately eight miles of the parkway is closed to through motor vehicle traffic from just north of the Prairie Creek Visitor Center to the northern junction with Coastal Drive and the northern interchange of U.S. 101. Park maintenance crews estimate this section of the parkway will remain closed at least through the end of October and possibly considerably longer as they work to safely remove the trees and assess and repair road damage. All park trails remain open and Elk Prairie Campground, the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, and Davison Road (to Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon) are still accessible by vehicle. The only vehicles on the closed section of the parkway will be occasional park vehicles and heavy equipment. HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/redw/parknews/parkway-treefall.htm"
On the afternoon of October 18th, rangers in the North District began search for a missing visitor in the vicinity of the Enderts Beach parking area. A 35-year-old man left his vehicle parked in the roadway with a cryptic note displayed. Investigation revealed that he was struggling with psychological problems and might be contemplating suicide. NPS rangers and members of the Del Norte County Search and Rescue team began a hasty search of the beach and trails, but search efforts were suspended at nightfall due to poor visibility and environmental hazards. The search continued the next morning, this time including two dog teams and a Coast Guard helicopter. An observer in the helicopter spotted the man on the bluffs above Enderts Beach around 11 a.m. Indications were that he needed assistance. He was hoisted on board the helicopter and transported to a local hospital. The man was cold, hungry, and thirsty, and found to have sustained numerous cuts and bruises. Otherwise, he was physically fine. He was psychologically evaluated by hospital medical staff and released the next day. [Lorant Veress, North District Ranger]
On the night of July 27th, NPS and state rangers made a vehicle stop on a car driven by a 34-year-old man in the Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park portion of the combined national and state parks. The stop was for a motor vehicle code violation but led to the discovery of a loaded .22 caliber rifle in the man's possession. The man was found to be a convicted felon, with three separate convictions - two of them crimes of violence against law enforcement officers. He was arrested and booked on state charges of being a convicted violent felon in possession of a firearm, child endangerment, criminal threats, and possession of marijuana. During the course of the arrest, he repeatedly threatened the rangers with future retaliation, physical violence, and rape of the rangers' spouses. The case was taken to the San Francisco office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) for consultation. BATF approved a federal arrest warrant for the man and a federal search warrant for his house. Due to his criminal history, his behavior during the July 27th arrest, and the anticipated complexities associated with warrant service at his densely populated residence, the warrant service was considered high risk. On the morning of October 26th, eleven BATF agents, six Redwood NPS rangers, a state ranger, and two Del Norte County Sheriffs deputies served the warrants at the man's residence in Crescent City. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm (18 USC 922 (g)(1)). The search warrant was also served without incident, resulting in a secondary county sheriff's office investigation into significant amounts of processed and unprocessed marijuana found on the premises. The entire operation proved to be an excellent example of effective multi-agency law enforcement cooperation and execution. [Lorant Veress, North District Ranger]
On the morning of October 26, 2011, Redwood rangers, a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives SWAT team, and Del Norte County Sheriff's Office deputies served warrants at J.W.S. III's Crescent City residence. The warrants were based on evidence gained in HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=5961" a July contact between J.W.S. and Redwood rangers, during which J.W.S. endangered his five-year-old child, made criminal threats against rangers, and was found to have narcotics and a loaded firearm in his possession - the latter a violation because he was a convicted felon. J.W.S. was arrested and taken to a federal prison near San Francisco and tried this past January. He pled guilty to the firearm possession charge and on April 10th was sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison. The successful prosecution of this case proved to be an excellent example of effective multi-agency law enforcement cooperation and execution. The participation of the SWAT team and the support of the US Attorney's Office stemmed from rangers' tenacity in pursuing this case. [Lorant Veress, North District Ranger]
On the morning of July 31st, Redwood rangers and Del Norte County authorities responded to a report of a vehicle and a body over the edge of the approximately 160-foot-high cliff at Enderts Beach Overlook. Prior to plunging over the steep edge, the accident vehicle had crashed through a wooden fence surrounding the overlooks parking area. Over the course of a six hour period, the body of a deceased 53-year-old woman was recovered, her wrecked Jeep Cherokee was towed back up the steep slope and recovered, and Del Norte County Sheriff Office divers with US Coast Guard Air Branch assistance searched the adjacent Pacific Ocean coastline to rule out the presence of other victims. The complexities of the search and recovery operation were successfully executed without further incident. The circumstances surrounding the fatal motor vehicle accident are under investigation. The California Highway Patrol assumed the lead in the investigation of the motor vehicle accident, the county assumed the lead on the death investigation, Del Norte Search and Rescue led search and recovery operations, and Redwood rangers assisted with scene management. [Lorant Veress, North District Ranger]
On the morning of August 5th, rangers and Del Norte County authorities responded to a report of an unresponsive man in a vehicle at the scenic Klamath River Overlook in Redwood National and State Parks. The 68-year-old man, who was lying down in the backseat of a parked Mercedes sedan, was determined to be dead. Investigation revealed that he was the subject of an "at risk" missing person advisory. A final determination of the cause of death is pending investigation, but indications at the scene suggest a potential overdose of medications. The Del Norte Sheriff Office is leading the death investigation. [North District Ranger's Office]
Rangers launched a rescue operation last Tuesday afternoon for a 16-year-old girl who'd injured her ankle on the West Ridge Trail within Prairie Creek State Park. Three rangers and seven NPS firefighters arrived at the scene around 7 p.m. The girl, who weighed over 250 pounds, was treated and then extricated via a wheeled litter. Rescue workers began the two mile carryout from the intersection of West Ridge Trail and Friendship Ridge Trail. arriving at a remote location on Gold Bluffs Beach shortly after sunset. A warming fire was built while waiting for a four-wheel-drive vehicle to navigate seven miles of beach and complete the evacuation. By 11 p.m., all remaining rescue personnel and gear were cleared from the field. The injured girl was reunited with her family, who elected to pursue further medical treatment on their own. [Marshall Neeck, Chief Ranger]
On the afternoon of Friday, November 9th, rangers were notified that a vehicle parked at a trailhead had apparently been there for several days. A check on the registration showed that it was registered to a man who had been missing since November 2nd. A hasty search of the area was conducted by rangers, but had to be suspended due to darkness. The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, Humboldt County Search and Rescue, and rangers again searched the area the following morning. Around 10 a.m., they found the man's body in an area not accessible to the general public. The Humboldt County coroner's office has ruled the death a suicide. [Laura Denny]
Two men have been arrested in one of the most egregious cases of burl poaching in Redwoods State and National Parks. L.M., 35, is currently serving a one year sentence for involuntary manslaughter after knifing a man to death in a Trinidad, California, trailer park in January of this year. Danny Garcia, 42, was arrested by his probation officer on an NPS warrant one day before he was to be arrested by NPS and state park rangers. The two are being charged with felony vandalism and possession of stolen property in state court after crudely hacking approximately 115 cubic feet of HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burl" burl tissue from an 800-year-old HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastal_redwood" coastal redwood. It's not known if the tree will survive the damage. These arrests marked the culmination of a year-long investigation involving California State Park rangers, Humboldt County probation officers, the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office and National Park Service rangers and special agents. Adjudication in the case is pending. [Investigative Services Branch]
Ranger Dylan Moe and California Highway Patrol officers responded to a report of a vehicle submerged in Freshwater Lagoon adjacent to Highway 101 near the southern boundary of the park on the morning of Wednesday, June 18th. Moe was informed by three fishermen that while boating they had observed a vehicle about 40 feet from the shoreline. Park biologists David Anderson and Kyle Max responded to assess any potential fuel/oil discharge, but also assisted with the recovery of the vehicle, which was located in about 11 feet of water, by diving to it and affixing tow hooks. The 2004 Mitsubishi SUV was found to have a deceased victim in the driver's seat. Preliminary investigation suggests that the SUV was traveling southbound on US 101, veered from its direct path of travel, traversed the northbound lane, and entered the middle section of the lagoon, where it became fully submerged and not visible from the roadway or shore. Evidence at the scene indicated that the accident took place nearly two years ago and may resolve a missing person report from that time period. The recent discovery of the car is being attributed to an unusually low water level of the lagoon. The victim's name and proximate cause of death are being investigated by the CHP and the Humboldt County coroner's office. [Marshall Neeck, Chief Ranger]
On June 19th, two local residents who'd previously been convicted of burl poaching in the park were sentenced in court. D.G., 43, who pled to one count of felony vandalism (California Penal Code 594a), was sentenced to four years of formal probation, 700 hours of community service, ordered to pay restitution of $11,178.57, and required to attend a six-month-long drug rehabilitation program. L.C.M., 36, who pled to one count of misdemeanor vandalism, was sentenced to three years of formal probation and ordered to pay $1600 in restitution. Both L.C.M. and D.G. were ordered to stay out of Redwoods National and State Park for the duration of their probationary periods. [Investigative Services Branch]
A park maintenance employee unknowingly collected an improvised explosive device (IED) at an illegal dump site on state park lands on the morning of Monday, December 1st. The device was transported to the park's Northern Operations Center, where it was quickly identified as an IED. Rangers were notified, responded and immediately evacuated employees from the facility. The entire operations center, surrounding area, and entrance road were also secured. Rangers then coordinated with personnel from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Humboldt County Bomb Squad, Del Norte County Sheriff's Office, NPS Fire, Crescent City Fire and Del Norte Ambulance to aid in scene containment and ensure safety. The Humboldt County Bomb Squad employed a mobile robot to render the device safe. Due to the remote location of the operations center, there was no direct threat to public safety and the area was reopened for normal operations by 6 p.m. Rangers are working with ATF agents and the incident is under active investigation. [Joel Leachman, Park Ranger]
Late on the afternoon of Monday, March 9th, Del Norte County Sherriff's deputies became involved in the high speed pursuit of a stolen vehicle adjacent to the boundary of Redwood National and State Parks. The chase continued for over 20 miles at speeds that exceeded 110 miles per hour, during which the passenger fired numerous shotgun rounds at pursuing vehicles. The vehicle eventually crashed into a ditch near the town of Smith River, and both driver and armed passenger fled on foot into the surrounding wooded area. The sheriff sought assistance from all available law enforcement agencies, and rangers arrived on scene within a minute of the vehicle crashing. Two K9 teams and a California Highway Patrol helicopter participated in the search for the suspects. Rangers assisted in the apprehension of the driver, who surrendered without incident, and provided additional support in the search for the passenger. The search was called off due to darkness and safety concerns. As of this time, the passenger is still at large. [Greg Morse, North District Supervisory Ranger]
Early on the morning of Monday, April 5th, law enforcement rangers from California State Parks and the National Park Service conducted a surveillance operation at Jedidiah Smith Campground, which had seen a string of thefts of money from the campground's "iron ranger" over the past two months. A surveillance camera was put up in the area and within a day a man was seen on camera stealing money envelopes from the iron ranger. On April 5th a team of seven rangers from both the national and state parks surveyed the area and were able to catch him in the act of stealing money envelopes. The man and an accomplice were arrested and charged with grand theft, possession of burglary tools, and possession of methamphetamine. The man admitted that he had stolen over $5,000 from the campground over the last two months. He has a long history of theft and burglaries and admitted that he had previously been caught in a national park in Utah for doing the same thing and been sentenced to six months in federal prison. [Greg Morse, North District Supervisory Park Ranger]
On the morning of May 13th, rangers received a report of a woman stuck on a cliff face near the Damnation Creek Trail. Rangers responded to the woman's location and found that she was approximately 150 feet up a 250-foot cliff above the Pacific Ocean. The woman had climbed the cliff face to escape being trapped by the rising tide. It was determined that a technical rescue would result in a high level of risk to involved personnel, so the United States Coast Guard was contacted and performed a hoist operation, removing the woman from her perch. The National Park Service managed the incident with assistance from California State Parks, Del Norte County Search and Rescue, CAL FIRE, and the USCG. Click on the following link to see a YouTube video of the rescue: HYPERLINK "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44EgoeXXKsc" [Greg Morse, North District Ranger]
On Wednesday, July 8th, rangers from Redwood National and State Parks served a search warrant, in the nearby town of Fields Landing, pursuant to a month-long investigation of multiple car burglaries within the park. Rangers had established probable cause for an arrest warrant of one suspect allegedly involved with the burglaries. The warrant was served without incident and multiple people were detained. A subsequent search of the premises and an associated vehicle yielded numerous items from the burglaries. In addition to items from the burglaries, rangers discovered an elaborate identity theft operation, including numerous fraudulent checks, social security cards, and other forms of personal identifying information. The suspects were immediately taken into custody and booked on state felony charges. Following the arrests, numerous local law enforcement agencies have been inquiring for information linking the suspects to additional property crimes in the area. The investigation is ongoing with more charges expected. [Submitted by Robert Toler]
Sometime in early July, a vacant government residence was burglarized inside the park. Several items were stolen, including an empty gun safe, a dehumidifier, a generator, and a radio base station. Rangers were able to identify a suspect during the investigation - a man who resided in the nearby community of Eureka, California. It was discovered he was on formal probation with Humboldt County and that his probation included search terms. On July 22nd, rangers conducted a probation search of the man's residence with personnel from the Humboldt County Probation Department, California State Parks, and the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. The park's radio base station was recovered during the search along with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The man was arrested on various state charges. A wanted felon was also identified and detained at the residence . He was taken into custody by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department. The investigation is ongoing. [Stephen Troy, Park Ranger]
Rangers have determined that a report from tourists of being robbed at gunpoint near the Lady Bird Johnson trailhead on November 3rd was not true. Upon notification of the robbery, rangers immediately began investigating the area along Bald Hills Road where the incident allegedly took place and began comparing its time frame with similar incidents reported outside park boundaries. While the victims claimed that multiple shots were fired from an assault-style rifle, no shell casings were found on the ground. In addition, other National Park Service employees in the area at the same time as the alleged robbery heard no shots fired. Rangers then conducted several witness interviews, including one with the land owner of the first robbery, which took place off Bald Hills Road on private land. The rangers were then able, through a third party, to contact the five tourists. They admitted that they fabricated the park robbery story because they were concerned about being associated with activities at a local marijuana operation. Rangers are continuing their investigation into the matter and are collaborating with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. Source: News release, Redwood N&SP.
Rangers on patrol this past January discovered an old-growth redwood with massive chunks cut out from its base. During the ensuing investigation, rangers identified a suspect — D.H., 35 — in the nearby town of Orick, California, and were able to obtain enough information during the investigation to obtain a search warrant for his residence. On March 27th, rangers served the warrant on D.H. They found several pieces of old-growth redwood that matched those cut from the tree and also discovered methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, illegal weapons and various items of stolen property. D.H. was charged with vandalism, receiving stolen property, grand theft, possession of metal knuckles, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of paraphernalia. They subsequently confirmed that the redwood sections came from the tree with the cuts. Burl poaching involves the cutting of burls from both live and dead trees, felling of living old-growth redwood trees to access burls from higher up the stem, and the cutting of down logs for ornamental furniture, veneer, and souvenirs. This uncontrolled and illegitimate harvesting of burls directly threatens individual old-growth redwoods, and also impacts the surrounding ecosystem, threatened and endangered species, and the parks' scenic values. Source: Eureka Times-Standard.
In January 2018, law enforcement rangers came upon a redwood poaching site within Redwood National and State Parks near Newton B. Drury Parkway. Large burls had been cut from trees. Upon noticing that there were still burls in the area, law enforcement set up remote cameras in hopes of catching the poacher upon return. Rangers were able to identify a truck and person through those images. They obtained a warrant and searched the home of D.H., 37, where they found burls that matched those stolen from the park, as well as methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, illegal weapons, and stolen property. Though booked on many charges, only vandalism was tried. The trial took place in July and the sentencing in August gave D.H. 400 hours of community service and two years of probation, despite the district attorney's request for the maximum fine of 3 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. Social media comments suggest that many bystanders were upset by the ruling. Source: SF Gate
On January 4, many public lands managers preemptively closed due to the prediction of an atmospheric-river event likely to bring flooding and the potential for power outages. As of January 9, many parts of Golden Gate, Redwood, and Sequoia remain closed due to the impacts of winter storms and further incoming weather. Source: Outside, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Redwood National and State Parks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
On August 15, a thunderstorm started at least 27 fires across the Six Rivers National Forest and Redwood National and State Parks. Three of those fires occurred in the southern part of the park. Two of the fires, the Glen and Devil Fires, were contained immediately, due to quick response and a sprinkler system tactic. As of September 3, the Six Rivers Forest Lightning Complex and Redwood Lightning Complex comprised 16,479 acres and were 20% contained, with 1,246 personnel assigned. Source: Redwood National and State Parks, Inciweb
On August 15, a thunderstorm started at least 27 fires across the Six Rivers National Forest and Redwood National and State Parks. Three of those fires occurred in the southern part of the park. Two of the fires, the Glen and Devil Fires, were contained immediately, due to quick response and a sprinkler system tactic. As of September 18, the Six Rivers Forest Lightning Complex and Redwood Lightning Complex comprised 27,394 acres and were 7% contained, with 1,122 personnel assigned. Source: Redwood National and State Parks, Inciweb
On August 15, a thunderstorm started at least 27 fires across the Six Rivers National Forest and Redwood National and State Parks. Three of those fires occurred in the southern part of the park. Two of the fires, the Glen and Devil Fires, were contained immediately, due to quick response and a sprinkler system tactic. As of October 4, the Six Rivers Forest Lightning Complex and Redwood Lightning Complex comprised 49,437 acres and were 56% contained, with 420 personnel assigned. Source: Redwood National and State Parks, Inciweb
On August 15, a thunderstorm started at least 27 fires across the Six Rivers National Forest and Redwood National and State Parks. Three of those fires occurred in the southern part of the park. Two of the fires, the Glen and Devil Fires, were contained immediately, due to quick response and a sprinkler system tactic. As of October 14, the Six Rivers Forest Lightning Complex and Redwood Lightning Complex comprised 50,198 acres and were 75% contained, with 269 personnel assigned. Source: Redwood National and State Parks, Inciweb
The Six Rivers Forest Lightning Complex and Redwood Lightning Complex Fires were 100% contained at 50,198 acres, as of October 29. Source: Inciweb
On July 21, officials were notified of four elk that were shot near the Williams Ridge area along Bald Hills Road. No meat was taken from the four animals. Hunting is prohibited in the park. The NPS, California State Parks, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife are investigating the incident, and are asking the public for any information they might have. Source: Redwood National and State Parks
On August 16, an illegal garbage dump was found at Walker Road, near the Smith River, in the Jedediah Smith area of the park. It included materials removed from a roofing project, including chemicals that are dangerous for flora and fauna in the park. The park has released some details about the refuse and is asking the public for any information they might be able to provide. Source: Redwood National and State Parks | |