Issues with cyanobacteria in the Virgin River continue to be a problem at Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. Though the bacteria is a natural part of aquatic environments, some varieties might produce dangerous liver and nervous system toxins, according to park staff.

While the National Park Service recently made news by promoting the economics tied to the National Park System -- last year visitation to the parks generated an estimated $28.6 billion for the country's economy -- just as, if not more, important would be framing the parks' contribution to the natural world.

A brutal heat wave, coupled with a long-running drought, has many national parks in the Western half of the country enduring broiling temperatures and increased fire danger. Temperatures Wednesday at Death Valley National Park could reach 128 degrees at Furnace Creek, the National Park Service said, while fire danger at Grand Teton National Park inched up to "high."

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