|
||||
| FRIDAY August 25, 2000 Vol 4, # 53 |
|
|
||||
| FRIDAY August 25, 2000 Vol 4, # 53 |
|
|
. | |
| Site Search | Support Yellowstone! Discussion Free Internet, Email, More Email Newsletter | |
YELLOWSTONE ROAD
REPORT PUBLISHER EDITOR-IN-
|
SCALDED EMPLOYEES IN
CRITICAL CONDITION by National Park Service YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS) -- Yellowstone National Park officials report that a preliminary investigation of the incident involving three Amfac Parks & Resorts employees who were seriously burned after falling into a thermal pool in the Lower Geyser Basin in the Old Faithful area of the park indicates that the three individuals attempted to jump over what they thought was a small creek under nighttime conditions with limited visibility. The statement was made by two of the victims (Lance Buchi and Tyler Montague) to Yellowstone National Park staff as they were administering emergency medical treatment to the two individuals. Both victims were alert and coherent at the time of their statements; caregivers (both friends and park staff) also indicate alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the accident. The incident occurred on Monday, August 21, 2000, between 10-11 p.m. Sara Hulphers, 20 years old of Oroville, Washington; Tyler Montague, 18 years old of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Lance Buchi, 18 years old of Salt Lake City, Utah had walked into the basin area to swim and spend the afternoon at the Firehole River where they met up with a group of 5 friends. After swimming, the group had split up and was walking back to their vehicles. Both groups started back to their vehicles after dark, and before the moon was up. They were trying to negotiate the thermal basin area without the assistance of a flashlight. The three individuals were a short distance behind their five friends, when the first group heard cries for help from the three and ran back to assist them. The three individuals had fallen into Cavern Spring, a large 178°F thermal feature at the basin. Montague and Buchi were able to get out of the pool on their own, were assisted to their vehicles, and taken back to Old Faithful by friends where they received emergency medical treatment from Yellowstone National Park staff. Friends helped Ms. Hulphers from the pool and remained with her until help could arrive, about 30 minutes later. Yellowstone National Park staff provided on-site emergency medical treatment and then placed her on a wheeled litter for transport to the roadway where she was placed in an ambulance. Ambulances transported the three individuals to the West Yellowstone, Montana, airport where they were lifeflighted by Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center AirLife and Bannock helicopters to Idaho Falls, Idaho, airport. From there they were taken by fixed wing to the Salt Lake City Burn Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ms. Hulphers received third degree burns over her entire body and died from her injuries Monday afternoon, August 22, around 1:30 p.m. Mr. Montague received second and third degree burns over 90 percent of his body; and Mr. Buchi received third degree burns over 90 percent of his body. They are both listed in critical and unstable condition. Park visitors are reminded of the extreme danger posed by approaching too closely to any thermal feature in the park. Surface crusts surrounding thermal features are very thin and fragile, and water temperatures can often exceed 190°F. Editor's Note: We encourage you to join us at Yellowstone Net in offering prayers for the two injured employees and for the families of all three. (BG) |
|
| . | . | . |
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS Ralph Maughan
|
WILDFIRES
UPDATE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS) -- Yellowstone National Park officials report that no new fires were found within Yellowstone Thursday. Two fires, which started Wednesday, are now under control. Yellowstone’s fires are located in remote backcountry areas and are not threatening any developed areas at this time. Following is information on current fire activity in the park. There are approximately 60 people assigned to Yellowstone fires and they are supported by 2 helicopters and 2 engines. The Basin Fire was discovered by the Mount Sheridan lookout yesterday. This fire is burning southeast of Mount Sheridan and is less than 1 acre in size. Four firefighters controlled this fire today. The Hancock Fire, located in the backcountry directly east of Mount Hancock, was discovered yesterday. Eight Forest Service smokejumpers from West Yellowstone parachuted into the fire yesterday and controlled it this afternoon. They will be removed from the area tomorrow. The Stone Fire, located in the backcountry on the Pitchstone Plateau, is approximately 1 acre. Little activity has been observed in the past few days and fire managers expect that this fire will naturally burn itself out. The Plateau Fire, located in a remote area of the southwestern portion of Yellowstone near Boundary Creek, is estimated to be 1,000 acres. This fire, burning towards the northeast, is putting out a visible column of smoke, noticeable to residents of West Yellowstone and central Idaho. This fire is in a remote backcountry location and is not threatening any developed areas. Firefighters are working to protect a backcountry patrol cabin 1-2 miles from the fire. The Glade Fire is located near the southern boundary of Yellowstone in Grand Teton National Park. This fire is currently estimated to be 3,200 acres. Crews are working to suppress this fire and protect structures at the South Entrance and Flagg Ranch. The Moose Fire, located near Moose Creek south of Shoshone Lake, is estimated at 1,200 acres. Previously burned areas from the 1988 Yellowstone fires are helping to naturally keep this fire from significantly spreading. The Boundary Fire is located along the South Boundary of the park near Grassy Lake. This fire is estimated at approximately 145 acres and is burning in an area that was burnt during the 1988 Yellowstone fires. Earlier this week, park staff established plots to monitor how the 1988 Yellowstone fires were affecting the behavior of this fire. The Unlucky Fire, located in the southwest portion of the park in the Bechler area, is now estimated to be approximately 1,800 acres. This fire is mostly burning fuels within its perimeter and is not substantially expanding. Before determining whether firefighters will suppress an individual fire, fire managers take a number of factors into consideration, including weather conditions, human safety, terrain, and available resources. Some of these fires are located in areas that present a great safety risk to firefighters, with rugged terrain and heavy fuels. All fires are closely monitored and mapped on a daily basis by park staff on reconnaissance flights. Yellowstone fire crews are also assisting with higher priority fires outside the park in Montana and areas surrounding the park—fires that have the potential to affect human safety or damage manmade structures. There have been a total of 34 fires during the 2000 fire season, 4 of which were human-caused; the remaining 30 were lightning-caused. All of these fires, except those mentioned above, have been controlled. Overall park fire danger is rated as high. Higher than normal humidity helped slow fire activity today. Isolated thunderstorms and breezy conditions are forecasted for tomorrow. Park officials remind visitors that all entrances remain open, as well as all frontcountry visitor and park facilities, including all lodging, food services, general stores, gift shops, and campgrounds. |
|
| e | . | . |
| CURRENT FIRE RESTRICTIONS
IN YELLOWSTONE by National Park Service YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS) -- The following restrictions have been implemented because of fire activity in the park and surrounding areas outside the park: As of August 5, backcountry wood or charcoal fires are prohibited. Smoking is restricted to the immediate vicinity of the cooking area in designated backcountry sites only. As of August 19, no wood or charcoal fires are allowed at any of the frontcountry campsites, picnic areas, parking areas, and employee housing. This includes the use of fire grates, charcoal grills, fire pans, and any other ember-producing equipment. Propane, butane, and other gas stoves and gas grills are still permitted. No smoking is allowed except within buildings where smoking is normally permitted, in vehicles, around established fire rings in campgrounds, or in designated smoking areas—provided an ashtray is used. Some backcountry trails have been closed to all day and night use in the following areas: Bechler, Gallatin, Snake River, and Thorofare. As of August 15, Shoshone Lake has been closed to all day and night use. Outside the South Entrance, the Grassy Lake road has been closed. Visitors planning to day hike or stay overnight in the backcountry are encouraged to call the Backcountry Office at (307) 344-2160 for specific trail closure information and other possible restrictions. No stopping is allowed along the South Entrance Road, from the southern boundary of the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway to Lewis Canyon Overlook in Yellowstone National Park. |
||
| w | . | . |
| TWO FIREFIGHTERS INJURED
NEAR PARK News Brief CODY, Wyo. -- Two injured firefighters in the Shoshone National Forest east of Yellowstone National Park were airlifted out on Wednesday. The two firefighters were the first injuries on the Crow Creek fire which broke out August 18 and has burned nearly 1500 acres northwest of Pahaska Tepee. Neither man's injury was life threatening. One suffered a neck injury while the other sustained a twisted knee. |
||
| |
||
