National Park News

A Finding of No Significant Impact was signed on August 28, 2009, by Michael D. Snyder, Regional Director for the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service, for Train Operations at Grand Canyon National Park

In Yellowstone National Park, the holiday weekend signals the onset of fall, cooler weather, decreasing visitation and reduction in visitor services.

The numbers of the acres of prairie dogs have decreased significantly this year in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Resource Management staff completed mapping all 23 prairie dog towns in the South Unit and the 2 prairie dog towns in the North Unit of the park in August.  With a couple of exceptions, there was a decrease in acreage for all towns.  Acreage in the North Unit decreased from 136.68 to 123.86 acres, or by approximately 9.4%, and acreage in the South Unit decreased from 1,743.92 to 1,420.59 acres, or approximately 18.5%.

A public scoping meeting for the Ahwahnee Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM in the Underlounge at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley.

UPDATE: Due to poor visibility from smoke from the Big Meadow Fire, the west end of Tioga Road has been closed to through traffic from White Wolf to Crane Flat Gas Station.  There is no projected opening date of this portion of the Tioga Road at this point.  Tuolumne Meadows to White Wolf is still accessible from the east end of the park via Highway 395. 

On Wednesday, August 26, the Brush Creek fire became more active, growing by 5 or so acres and crossing the Brush Creek trail below the fire.  On Thursday, it exhibited even more growth, and smoke could be seen from several lookouts around the Park.  That fire is now estimated at over 100 acres. The fire is still burning within parameters established by fire managers, although it has created several spot fires ahead of the main fire.

The Cascade River Road in North Cascades National Park will close to vehicular traffic at Hard Creek Bridge (MP 12.7) beginning on September 1, 2009. The road will be open September 5-7 during the holiday weekend. The road will be closed again on September 8 through project completion in mid-October. Any cars left up-valley of the construction will not be able to exit Cascade River Road until the project is complete. 

Wednesday, August 26, the Brush Creek fire became more active, growing by 5 or so acres and crossing the Brush Creek trail below the fire.  On Thursday, it exhibited even more growth, and smoke could be seen from several lookouts around the Park.  That fire is now estimated at over 100 acres. The fire is still burning within parameters established by fire managers, although it has created several spot fires ahead of the main fire.

The Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park will have restricted access, between Crane Flat and White Wolf, beginning Monday, August 31, continuing until fire operations along the road are complete. This segment of the road will have controlled access with a pilot car during daylight hours, and be closed completely each night. Motorists should expect delays, which could begin as early as Monday morning.

The Big Meadow Fire in Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus National Forest grew to 3,506 acres today.  The Big Meadow Fire was set by Yosemite National Park Fire Crews on August 26, 2009 as a prescribed burn and shortly thereafter, the fire grew out of the prescription lines.

A 2.5 mile section of the Grand Ditch Road, between the Little Yellowstone and Thunder Pass Trailheads, is closed to public travel through October 15, 2009.

The Big Meadow Fire in Yosemite National Park grew to 2,244 acres today, increasing from 2,200 acres yesterday.  The Big Meadow Fire was set by Yosemite National Park Fire Crews on August 26, 2009 as a prescribed burn and shortly thereafter, the fire grew out of the prescription lines.

Superintendent Jock Whitworth has announced that Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park will be temporarily closed on Tuesday, September 1 from 6 AM to Noon.

Superintendent Jock Whitworth has announced that the temporary closure of the Canyon Overlook parking lot which began August 3, 2009 will be extended through September 13, 2009.

A prescribed fire set by Yosemite National Park Fire Crews yesterday has grown beyond the predetermined fire perimeter and full suppression efforts are in effect.  The fire was originally slated to burn 90 acres, however it burned beyond the fire lines.

After several small rockfalls occurred yesterday in Yosemite Valley directly above the Ahwahnee Hotel, the hotel was temporarily closed for precautionary measures.  The rockfalls released from the Royal Arches, a rock formation directly above the hotel.  Several small rocks landed in the parking lot causing minor damage to three vehicles.  No injuries or structural damage were reported. 

Officials at Glacier National Park remind park visitors that the park is open year-round and that most concessions, lodging and camping facilities will remain open well past Labor Day for the autumn season.

Fire crews are busy laying hose and constructing mow lines in preparation for a 617-acre prescribed fire planned this fall in Wind Cave National Park.

Fire crews are busy laying hose and constructing mow lines in preparation for a 617-acre prescribed fire planned this fall in Wind Cave National Park.

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For twenty days interagency fire crews have managed the Fairfield Fire in Lassen Volcanic National Park Wilderness.  The fire was initially ignited by a lightning storm that passed over the park and neighboring region on August 2. Final acreage is approximately 1,664 acres and falls within the 1,800 acre planned area established during the initial stages of implementation.

Parks Launch Pilot Twitter Accounts to Expand Outreach & Communication Efforts

Yosemite National Park is extending the public scoping period for the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (MRP/EIS). 

Ahwahnee Hotel Temporarily Closed as a Precaution

Yellowstone is asking the public to review a proposal to replace an aging bridge on the park’s Northeast Entrance Road.

After an extensive investigation, three individuals face multiple federal charges for poaching within Yosemite National Park. 

Full level inspections on commercial vehicles will be conducted in Yellowstone National Park on August 26 and 27, and will primarily focus on commercial buses and trucks.

The National Park Service invites people to gather their photographs and videos of Washington National Parks and submit them to KCTS 9’s My Parks! Digital Storytelling Contest by September 1. Students in grades 7-12 are eligible to win prizes—including having their film shown to millions of viewers on KCTS 9—for their films exploring their experiences in nature. 

The last wilderness hike of the season in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is scheduled for Sunday, September 6.

Bats fly through the night at Theodore Roosevelt National Park devouring flying insects.  Visitors can learn the "bat basics" from Erin Gillam, PhD, at 9 p.m. CDT on Saturday, August 29 in the Juniper Campground amphitheater in the park's North Unit.