Lake Mead NRA Report on Labor Day Weekend

Busy Labor Day Weekend Marked By Numerous Incidents…

Over the Labor Day weekend, Lake Mead rangers provided professional service to nearly 120,000 visitors who entered the park. Incidents over the course of the weekend included 17 arrests, five search and rescue incidents, 22 medical responses and the issuance of 126 citations. Significant incidents included a call for medical assistance for a man who sustained third degree burns to his face when his personal watercraft blew up and a SAR operation in which rangers were required to make repeated approaches to a cliff face to rescue stranded boaters whose vessel sank after taking on water due to high winds and waves.

Lake Mead’s implementation of the Coast Guard’s Operational Risk Management (ORM) model continues to play a significant role in park operations. Unfortunately, the high activity and extreme conditions over the weekend took its toll on the staff and was identified as a contributing factor in a near catastrophic event in which a park ranger fell asleep at the wheel and slid his patrol car off the road into a ditch. An after-action review revealed that the ranger had worked back-to-back shifts in excess of 12 hours with minimal rest. In response to the review, the park’s Ranger Activities Division has implemented mandatory shift requirements for all emergency service employees.

This is one of many changes that has occurred within the division as a result of ORM, including the creation of a duty officer position and the realignment of division personnel. For more information on ORM, please call 702-293-8764. [Submitted by Mary Hinson, Chief Ranger]

Source: NPS

To read more about the desert, go to DesertUSA.com.

Yosemite National Park (CA): Searchers Find Missing Hiker

Ronald Hoggard, 58, of Corcoran, California, was found by ground searchers around 8:30 a.m. on Monday morning near Glacier Point. He was mildly dehydrated but otherwise okay. Hoggard was reported missing to park officials on Saturday afternoon when he did not return from a day hike. His truck was subsequently located at the Sentinel Dome/Taft [...]

Death Valley Current Conditions

Death Valley National Park Morning Report — Tuesday, September 18, 2007Weather Forecast Today — Sunny. High around 101. Light wind becoming south at 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.Tonight — Mostly clear. Low in the lower 70s. South wind 10 to 15 mph.Tomorrow — Sunny and mostly clear through the evening then becoming [...]

Bats - Masters of the Night Sept 29th at Snow Canyon SP Utah

Eighteen species of bats call Washington County home. They are creatures so sophisticated, so adapted to their environment, so elusive, and so misunderstood. Join Tom Haraden of Zion National Park and learn about their natural history and their importance to our ecosystem. Space is limited. Registration required. Saturday, September 29, 2007 6 to 7:30 p.m.Bats- [...]

Bizz Johnson Rails to Trails Activities and Events

Each year in the early Fall, visitors and residents flock to the Susanville Depot, 601 Richmond Rd,  for the Rails to Trails Festival. This is one of those events that will draw families and enthusiasts year after year so be prepared to get “hooked”.  Come prepared for weather changes and you will thoroughly enjoy yourselves!!Schedule [...]

California Fall Color Hotspots 2007

The very first hint of color is starting to appear in Aspen groves at the highest of elevations.  From the second week of September to the end of September should be the peak for the following locations:Lower Rock Creek Road - Drive north from Bishop on Hwy 395 and talke the Pine Creek exit. Turn [...]