Along with other campgrounds within the North Cascades National Park Complex, Harlequinn Campground near the community of Stehekin has fire restrictions in effect that currently ban campfires / Rebecca Latson file

There is always something going on around the National Park System, and summer is an especially busy time. Here's a roundup of some of the latest news in the parks.

Campfires Banned In The North Cascades National Park Complex

Effective Friday, July 16, campfires or the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans and barbeque grills, are banned in all portions of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex – North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. This includes all National Park Service lands and campgrounds along State Route 20 as well as Hozomeen and the entire Stehekin Valley. Stoves or grills that are solely fueled by liquid petroleum fuels for the purpose of cooking are allowed in all locations. The burn ban complements similar restrictions in the adjacent Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and British Columbia, Canada.

Use caution when smoking and do not discard cigarette butts. Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other incendiary devices in any location on federal lands is always prohibited. 

If smoke or flames are visible, dial 911 or report at any ranger station.

Lightning Ignites Wildfires In Kings Canyon National Park Wilderness

The Lost Fire seen from a reconnaissance flight on Monday, July 12, 2021, Kings Canyon National Park / National Park Service

Recent lightning strikes in the Sierra Nevada resulted in two new wildfires in the wilderness of Kings Canyon National Park. The Lost Fire, spotted on July 10, is currently mapped at 92 acres, and the Sugar Fire, spotted on July 11, is currently mapped at one-quarter acre. Neither fire currently poses any risks to life or property, and there are no closures due to the fires at this time.

In order to mitigate smoke potential impacts throughout the remainder of the summer, and to minimize resource damage due to critically low fuel moistures, both fires are being suppressed. Firefighters have been inserted via helicopter to suppress the Sugar Fire. For the larger Lost Fire, located in remote, rugged terrain, south of the Middle Fork of the Kings River in the Slide Bluff area, fire personnel are utilizing a confine and contain strategy.

Helicopter 530 from Los Padres National Forest will be assisting with the management of the Lost Fire. Fire managers are strategizing about how to insert firefighters to engage in more direct suppression tactics.

In Sequoia National Park, pockets of active fire continue to emerge within the footprint of the 2020 Castle Fire. Continued hot and dry weather will likely lead to the discovery of more trees in this area that have continued to smolder since last year.

"The fact that we’re still seeing fire activity in the Castle Fire footprint, as well as new starts, really underscores the importance of preventing human-caused fires in the parks during this extremely dry and hot summer,” says Fire Management Officer John Ziegler. “We’re in stage three fire restrictions, which means no charcoal or wood fires or barbeques are allowed anywhere in the parks. We hope the need for those restrictions is clear under these circumstances.”

Further updates on these fires will be issued as more information becomes available. For more information on fire in the parks, click here.

Graffiti Removed At Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

An autumn view in Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park / NPS-Tom WIlson

Over the weekend, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park staff worked to remove graffiti and burn marks associated with the recent defacement of the park’s iconic Illinois Monument and grave site of the unknown soldier.

“I am grateful for the expeditious actions of the park staff to clean the vandalized areas. While impacts to the sites appear minimal, these illegal acts of vandalism hurt and degrade the experiences of visitors, and repairs, if possible, can be time consuming and costly,” said Patrick Gamman, superintendent for Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.

The vandalism was reported last Friday morning by park staff and volunteers. Damage included drawn graffiti on the Illinois Monument, black carbon deposits on the grave site and charred remains of two American flags, which did not belong to the park.

“We take vandalism incidents seriously in the park, and we encourage anyone with information to reach out to us as the investigation continues,” Gamman said.

Anyone with information that could aid this investigation is asked to contact investigators through the following means: NOTE: Use is restricted to investigative tips ONLY and should not be used to offer general comments or opinions.

CALL or TEXT the Tip Line 888-653-0009
ONLINE form go.nps.gov/SubmitATip
EMAIL [email protected]
EMERGENCY dial 9-1-1

Shuttle Bus Changes For Summer And Fall 2021 In Grand Canyon National Park

Boarding the shuttle bus, Grand Canyon National Park / NPS-Michael Quinn

Beginning July 17, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park should be prepared for changes in shuttle bus operations. The following changes will be in place from July 17 through November 30, 2021 unless otherwise noted.

To protect public health, all buses and shuttle operations are still modified to meet COVID-19 guidelines. Modified buses currently carry a smaller number of passengers per trip with additional safety measures in place, including:

• Shuttle buses are operating at reduced capacity
• Face masks/coverings are required on the bus; passengers must have their own face masks/coverings;
• Visitors will need to enter and exit through the rear door only;
• Hand sanitizer is available for use;
• Passengers must follow all CDC and public health physical distancing guidelines while in line;
• Buses undergo daily cleaning according to CDC and public health guidance.

Key shuttle updates:

• The Village Route (Blue Route) will operate from 5 a.m.-10 p.m.  
• The Hermits Rest Route (Red Route) and the Kaibab Rim Route (Orange Route) will operate from 5 a.m. until one hour after sunset. 
• The Kaibab Rim Route (Orange Route) will run to all locations, including westbound to the Yavapai Geology Museum. 
• The Tusayan Route (Purple Route) will not operate during 2021.  

The Visitor Center-Hermit Road Express Bus will operate from 12-8 p.m., every 15 minutes. This route takes people directly from the Visitor Center to Hermit Road and vice versa. This route will run through September 10, 2021.  The Hikers' Express Bus, which starts at the Bright Angel Lodge, then travels to the Backcountry Office, the Visitor Center, and the South Kaibab trailhead will operate at the following times:  

• July through August – begins at 4, 5, and 6 a.m.  
• September – begins at 5, 6, and 7 a.m.   
• October – begins at 6, 7, and 8 a.m.
• November – begins at 7, 8, and 9 a.m.

For additional shuttle bus information, click here.

New Superintendents

Congratulations to the selection of Jim Ireland as superintendent of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, and Lloyd Masayumptewa as superintendent of Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments.

Jim Ireland has almost 30 years of NPS experience and has served as the superintendent of Timpanogos Cave National Monument near Salt Lake City, Utah for almost 10 years. Ireland has most recently served as the acting superintendent of Bryce Canyon National Park since April 2021. He will assume the permanent role on July 18, 2021.

Lloyd Masayumptewa (Piivayouma) is Hopi from the third mesa village of Orayvi (Old Oraibi) and is of the Water-Coyote clan. He has been serving as the acting superintendent of Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments since March 2021 and has over 20 years of NPS experience. He will assume his new role on July 18, 2021.