National Park News

Yearling that died during recent tranquiliiiizing operation had lacerated jugular vein

A free event to celebrate National Parks in Arizona and other public lands will take place on the University of Arizona campus in Centennial Hall and on the nearby grounds on Saturday, August 29, 2009.

Fire management staff at Denali National Park and Preserve will burn a pile of debris consisting construction lumber on Tuesday, August 25, 2009.

Construction on Phase I of the improvements called for in Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim Visitor Transportation Plan (SRVTP) continues to progress. 

On Sunday, August 23, a large wave washed over a crowd of visitors gathered along the coast along Acadia National Park’s Ocean Drive, sweeping seven people into the ocean and injuring others. 

Zion Tunnel also closed from 5 pm to 8pm on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 for Centennial Tunnel Walk (registration full).

Zion Tunnel also closed on August 25, 2009 from 6:30 am to 8 am for maintenance.

A necropsy determined that the grizzly bear yearling that died after being darted by park rangers on Monday August 17, 2009, died from internal bleeding. 

Glacier National Park invites the public to an open house at the Native Plant Nursery, Tuesday August 25th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, to experience the nursery’s new and improved facilities. 

Due to low fire activity in the North Cascades National Park Complex this past week, this will be the last NOCA Fire update unless fire activity increases. Dee Townsend, Fire Management Officer, at the North Cascades National Park Complex said, “This has almost been a record year with twenty-seven fire starts in the park.  There has only been one other year with more fires (thirty-six) since the park was established in 1968.  It has been a good opportunity to allow fire back on the landscape.”  She reminds us that the fire season is not over yet.

Hiker who fell from Ahern Pass was Dr. William H. Labunetz, a 67-year-old retired neurologist from Great Falls, MT.

Little to no fire activity has been observed at any of the fires for several days.  Fires remain in monitoring status.  There are no firefighters on the ground at these fires due to steep inaccessible terrain.  One helicopter (Type 3-light) is assigned to the fire to support firefighters if requested. The Panther Comlex has five fires totaling 622.6 acres, light smoke is reported. The Crapper Complex has 4 fires, no smoke visible. The Moon Complex has 3 fires, no reports.

Yesterday, an aerial flight was made to observe park fires as well as scout new fire starts due to lighting activity the previous night; only the Panther Fire in Panther Creek was producing smoke.  No new starts from lightning activity were found.  However, new fire starts from lightning may take up to two weeks to produce visible smoke so fire managers will remain vigilant. Today ground patrols will be made to watch for changes in fire activity. Helicopters are available to assist firefighters by making water drops if requested.

Phase II of the project will be the Chisos Basin developed area, interior lighting improvements to the Panther Junction visitor center exhibits, and the Persimmon Gap Visitor Center exhibits.

The National Park Service (NPS) today announced the availability of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and a series of public meetings on Biscayne National Park’s Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

Biscayne National Park has extended the public comment period for the possible inclusion of marine reserve zone(s) (no-fishing area) in the upcoming General Management Plan.  The comment period will continue through August 17, 2009 in response to public requests for additional time to review and comment on the zone. 

The Aspen Fire, located on the Walhalla Plateau east of the North Rim developed area in Grand Canyon National Park, received precipitation on Saturday, August 22, reducing visible smoke and fire activity. 

Glacier National Park officials are learning more about the loss of a park visitor Saturday, August 22, 2009. A 67-year-old male from Great Falls, MT, had been hiking with four others and had climbed Iceberg Notch earlier in the day.

Glacier National Park officials are saddened by the loss of a park visitor Saturday, August 22, 2009.

Yosemite National Park Rangers and National Park Service Agents, with assistance from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, eradicated 4,735 marijuana plants valued at nearly $19 million from within the park yesterday.

Yosemite National Park Fire Managers are planning a prescribed fire in Big Meadow in the community of Foresta next Wednesday August 26, 2009.  The total burn area will include 90 acres, pending weather conditions and air quality. 

Yesterday, patrols were made from roadside vantage points to observe fire activity.  No changes were noted in fire activity from the previous day.  Three fires continue to produce light smoke: the Elija and Panther Fires in Panther Creek, and the Brush Creek Fire in Brush Creek drainage.  Again, no smoke was observed at the other fires: Cascade Creek Fire and fires in the Crapper Complex. 

Today, a helicopter reconnaissance mission is planned for the Stehekin area to scout new fire starts due to lighting activity last night.  Ground patrols will be made to watch for changes in fire activity at existing fires in the Panther and Crapper Complexes. Helicopters are available to assist firefighters by making water drops if requested.

The national park system in the United States of America is considered to be one of our country’s best ideas and has inspired other nations to establish their own national parks.

Lassen Volcanic National Park Superintendent, Darlene M. Koontz, announced that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Warner Valley Comprehensive Site Plan (DEIS) has been prepared and is now available for review and comment.

Yesterday, aerial flights and road patrols were made from vantage points to observe fire activity.  Three fires were producing light smoke: the Elija and Panther Fires in Panther Creek, and the Brush Creek Fire in Brush Creek drainage.  No smoke was observed at the other fires: Cascade Creek Fire and fires in the Crapper Complex.  New aerial GIS mapping of the two largest fires in the park found that the Elija fire has increased to 400 acres from 353 acres the Panther Fire has increased 3 acres to 223 acres over the past few weeks.

Everglades National Park’s American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Cape Sable Canals Dam Restoration Project moves to the next step!

Fire managers are preparing to conduct prescribed burns in the areas of Upper Beaver Meadows, Little Horseshoe Park, and South Lateral Moraine. Burning operations may begin as early as August 31 and continue through October depending on weather and fuel conditions.

Road to be open during daylight hours as rockfall monitoring continues.

On August 17, two Portland Oregon climbers were ascending the Dorado Needle via the SW Buttress Route when the lead climber fell approximately 20 feet. A team of three rangers were flown to the site via the park’s on-call contracted aircraft from HiLine Helicopters. The 36 year old climber was treated and released at the local hospital.

A local fisherman was found dead in Yosemite National Park near Windy Point, along Highway 140 this morning.  Keith Robinson, 62, of Midpines, left his home after work to fish in Yosemite on August 17, 2009.  When he failed to return home the next morning he was reported overdue to Yosemite dispatch.