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.