Firefighter Fatality

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:

Name: Anne Veseth

Rank: Firefighter

Age: 20

Gender: Female

Status: Wildland Part-Time

Years of Service: 2

Date of Incident: 08/12/2012

Time of Incident: Pending

Date of Death: 08/12/2012

Fire Department: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest

Address: 104 Airport Road, Grangeville, ID 83530

Fire Department Chief: Forest Supervisor Rick Brazell

Incident Description: Firefighter Veseth was struck by a tree while working fire operations on the Steep Corner Fire above Orofino, Idaho.

Incident Location: Vicinity of Orofino, Idaho.

Funeral Arrangements: Pending

Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Anne Veseth at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 52 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm

Federal Partners Continue to Support Response to Western Fires

USDA, DOI, FEMA Provide Firefighters, Aircraft, and Federal Grants to Support Local Partners Combating Fires

WASHINGTON— Federal partners are working closely with first responders and firefighters from local, state, and tribal agencies to combat and monitor wildfires in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming as well as other states. Through the National Interagency Fire Center, which coordinates resources from the US Forest Service, Department of the Interior and other federal agencies, firefighters, incident management teams, airtankers, helicopters, fire engines and other resources are being provided to supplement state and local resources as teams continue to respond to fires across the West.

Today, 19 active large fires are burning in nine states, including one of the largest wildfire in New Mexico history and one of the largest wildfires in Colorado history. To help fight these damaging fires, federal agencies have made approximately 4,500 firefighters available to aid in efforts to suppress and contain the fires.

Yesterday, the Forest Service announced the agency has mobilized eight additional aircraft to its firefighting fleet to ensure that an adequate number of airtankers are available for wildland firefighting efforts. With these additional airtankers, the Forest Service has 16 large airtankers and one very large airtanker available immediately for wildfire suppression. The Forest Service has the capability to mobilize an additional 11 large airtankers, should circumstances require it.

Additionally, the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior fire agencies can mobilize hundreds of helicopters and dozens of smaller aircraft, called “single-engine airtankers.”

To ensure states have the financial support they need, FEMA has provided Fire Management Assistance Grants to states with active large fires. These grants help cover eligible costs, on a 75 percent cost share basis, and can reimburse state and local costs associated with personnel and equipment used to combat fires. On Saturday June 9th, FEMA authorized the use of federal funds, through the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program (FMAG), to help with eligible firefighting costs for the High Park Fire located in Larimer County, Colorado and the Little Bear Fire located in Lincoln County, New Mexico. On May 26, an FMAG was approved for the Whitewater-Baldy Complex fire located in New Mexico.

While extremely serious fires are burning in several states, to date the season has been below average, meaning that additional resources remain available should they be necessary.

“We continue to support our state, local, and tribal partners as they work to contain and suppress the wildfires burning in the West,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “Our fire managers are bringing extensive resources to bear to respond vigorously to those wildfires threatening lives, communities, and cultural and natural resources, and we stand ready to provide additional eligible resources as necessary.”

“We’re bringing the full range of our federal, tribal, state, local and non-governmental resources together to manage these wildland fires and reduce risk to communities,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “We remain vigilant and continue to do all we can to ensure the safety of all firefighters in this challenging wildlife season.”

“FEMA continues to closely monitor the fires in several southwestern states, and is providing financial support through our Fire Management Assistance Grant program to assist efforts, led by firefighters, public safety officers, and emergency personnel, to fight and mitigate the volatile wildfire conditions,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.

On average the USDA Forest Service and the Department of the Interior bureaus respond to more than 20,000 wildfires per year. Federal firefighters, aircraft, and ground equipment are strategically assigned to parts of the country as the fire season shifts across the nation. Firefighting experts will continuously monitor conditions and move these assets as necessary to be best positioned and increase initial attack capabilities. In addition, federal agencies are conducting accelerated restoration activities nationwide that will result in healthier forests and will lessen fire risks in years to come.

Federal land managers are also helping communities prepare for wildfire. Federal partnerships with tribal, state, and local agencies strengthen preparedness programs, such as Firewise http://www.firewise.org/ and Ready Set Go! http://www.iafc.org/readySetGo that help families and communities prepare for and survive wildfire. You can also visit FEMA’s Ready.gov http://www.ready.gov, to learn more about steps you and your family can take now to be prepared for an emergency.

For more information, visit www.ready.gov.

Update on Investigation Into Suspicious Death in the George Washington National Forest

On August 12, 2011, hikers reported the discovery of a deceased individual located near a hiking trail in close proximity to the Appalachian Trail, in the Northwest part of Amherst County, Virginia. Investigators from the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State Police, the United States Forest Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene and the body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Virginia Department of Health.

Subsequent investigation identified the victim as Mr. Scott Lilly, of South Bend, Indiana, known by the trail name “Stonewall.” It appears Mr. Lilly was hiking the Appalachian Trail and the circumstances of his death are suspicious.

While this multi-agency investigation is ongoing and the release of information may be limited, it is important for the public to be aware that no information has been developed by these agencies that would lead investigators to believe other hikers would be targeted. However, hikers are encouraged to continue exercising the usual precautions while on any trail.

Information provided by the public thus far has been extremely beneficial in advancing this investigation. Investigators are now seeking to locate and identify several additional hikers, who while using the following trail names, may have had contact with Mr. Lilly. These individuals are:

“Mr. Coffee”

“White Wolf”

“Papa Smurf”

“Combat Gizmo” and “Space Cadet” (possibly a husband/wife team)

Anyone with information regarding these individuals is once again urged to call the FBI at 1-800-225-5324, option #4 (1-800-CALL FBI, #4).

Identification of Body Located in George Washington National Forest

On August 12, 2011, hikers reported the discovery of a deceased individual located near a hiking trail in close proximity to the Appalachian Trail, in the Northwest part of Amherst County, Virginia. Investigators from the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State Police, the United States Forest Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene and the body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Virginia Department of Health.

Subsequent investigation identified the victim as Mr. Scott Lilly, of South Bend, Indiana, known by the trail name “Stonewall.” It appears Mr. Lilly was hiking the Appalachian Trail and the circumstances of his death are suspicious.

While this multi-agency investigation is ongoing and the release of information may be limited, it is important for the public to be aware that no information has been developed by these agencies that would lead the investigators to believe other hikers would be targeted. However, hikers are encouraged to continue exercising the usual precautions while on any trail.

Mr. Lilly’s name and photo are being provided with the request that anyone who may have seen or had contact with him recently, call either the Central Virginia Crime Stoppers (1-888-798-5900) or the FBI (1-800 CALL FBI option #4 -1-800-225-5324 option #4) and relay any information that may be pertinent to this investigation.

Mr. Scott Lilly

Trail Name: “Stonewall”

To relay pertinent information, please call either the FBI @ 1-800 CALL FBI option #4 (1-800-225-5324 option #4) or the Central Virginia Crime Stoppers @ 1-888-798-5900

ACTT Operation Yield 13 Pounds of Cocaine

‘Intelligence Driven Operation’ continue to yield results

Tucson, Ariz. – A 13-day Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats operation in the Coronado National Forest near Nogales concluded on May 17. The ACTT operation resulted in 95 arrests and the seizure of more than 680 pounds of narcotics with an estimated value of more than $471,500.

The Tucson Sector Border Patrol was the lead agency during this ACTT operation which focused on apprehending smugglers and disrupting the activities of transnational criminal organization operating in the Coronado National Forest’s Nogales Ranger District. The intelligence driven operation displayed the unprecedented level of cooperation, coordination and communication that is taking place between law enforcement agencies across Arizona. The operation also exemplifies the ACTT’s commitment to deter, disrupt and interdict individuals and criminal organizations that pose a threat to border communities.

"Border security requires a team approach to target cross-border criminal organizations,” said Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent Randy Hill. “We leverage multi-agency authorities, intelligence, and investigative and interdiction capabilities to get the job done here in Arizona.”

The operation resulted in the following arrests and seizures:

93 illegal aliens arrested

92 were impacted by a federal consequence

One was prosecuted on state drug charges

Two United States citizens arrested for outstanding arrest warrants

13 pounds of cocaine seized

667 pounds of marijuana seized

The operation involved the following agencies:

Tucson Sector Border Patrol

U.S. Forest Service

Arizona Department of Public Safety

ACTT, launched in September 2009, continues to utilize a collaborative, cooperative enforcement approach that leverages the capabilities and resources of Department of Homeland Security agencies in Arizona in partnership with other federal, state, local, tribal governments and the government of Mexico against criminal organizations that pose a threat to the United States.

These agencies continue working together to diligently share vital information on current smuggling trends that have led to a number of mutually beneficial, intelligence driven operations that continue to support their common goal of making our country safer.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Mexican National Sentenced for Large Marijuana Grow on Public Lands

Leonardo Villasenor-Cesar, 23, was sentenced yesterday to fifteen years in federal prison in connection with a marijuana grow on public lands located in Valley County near the boundary with Boise County during the summer of 2010. United States District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Villasenor-Cesar to forfeit drugs, manufacture materials and firearms. Villasenor-Cesar pled guilty last November to drug manufacturing and firearms possession charges. Villasenor-Cesar is a native of Michoacan, Mexico and had entered the United States illegally. He had been living in the Caldwell, Idaho area.

Between May and August 2010, Villasenor-Cesar and other co-conspirators planted, fertilized, watered, tended, and began harvesting approximately 1,687 marijuana plants on public lands administered by the United States Forest Service. Law enforcement officers were tipped off about the growing operation by a hunter. Federal and state law enforcement officers followed up and on August 31, 2010 carried out a joint arrest and eradication operation. They found two suspects in the marijuana growing operation and were able to arrest Villasenor-Cesar. The other suspect was able to evade capture in this remote, mountainous area. Villasenor-Cesar was armed with a loaded pistol at the time of his arrest, and another loaded pistol was found under his control. A stream had been dammed to provide water piped through plastic tubing to the cultivation plot. Two tents and primitive shelters were found, as well as cell phones, batteries, tools, plant growing materials. There was evidence that they had been supplied with groceries dropped off on a nearby road.

At sentencing, Judge Lodge commented on the lengthy prison sentence, saying that these harsh, fixed penalties reflect the nation’s concern about these types of operations; and the increasing concern that individuals who carry firearms in furtherance of growing marijuana on public lands create a danger for citizens who use public lands for lawful recreation. The case was the result of a joint investigation of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), led by the United States Forest Service and Drug Enforcement Administration, in conjunction with the Valley County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bureau of Land Management, Canyon County Narcotics Unit, Boise Police Department, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Idaho State Police, Idaho Fish and Game, and the Idaho National Guard. The U.S. Forest Service is aggressively working with partners at the federal, state and local levels to address the issue of illegal marijuana growing in national forests and is committed to ensuring the national forest system is a safe place for visitors.

United States Attorney Wendy J. Olson praised the cooperative work done by so many law enforcement officers from state and federal agencies. “In remote areas, safe and successful handling of crime scenes, such as this one on Boom Creek, require the joint efforts of many agents,” said Olson. “The United States Attorney’s Office for Idaho prioritizes protection of public lands. It goes to the essence of national sovereignty that citizens be able to safely and lawfully enjoy our treasure of public lands in this state. Criminals who conduct operations such as this one endanger the public in three ways: first, by endangering our natural resources; second, by endangering citizens using public lands; and third, by growing marijuana which they then intend to richly profit from by selling illegal drugs to our citizens.”