Thursday, July 31, 2025

Volunteers needed for revegetation work in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park posted this on their social media the other day:
Want to get your hands dirty? Join us for a group volunteer event!

Throughout the month of August, several workdays are planned for revegetation work in Glacier Basin Campground. Spend the day helping restore Rocky's native vegetation by hand-planting native seedlings!

The project will involve moving seedlings from trucks to the work site, kneeling, digging with hand tools, and careful attention to planting techniques. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to participate, and advanced registration is required. Participants may sign up for one workday or multiple; learn more about dates and register by visiting www.rmconservancy.org/volunteer/.




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Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Manhunt underway for man who murdered two hikers in Arkansas State Park

A couple who was killed at Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday, July 26, 2025, was hiking with their two daughters when they were attacked. The girls, who are 7 and 9, were not injured and are safe with family members.

The victims have been identified as Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who recently moved to Prairie Grove from another state.

At about 2:40 p.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) was notified of a double homicide at the park, located in Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. Brink were found dead on a walking trail. ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is handing the suspected homicide.

Investigators are asking those who visited the park on Saturday to check cellphone photos and videos or GoPro camera footage for images of the suspect. They are also asking residents of the area surrounding the park to notify ASP if they have access to security and game camera footage.The area of the park where the incident occurred remains cordoned off and secured by law enforcement. The park is located in a remote and rural area, where the terrain is rugged, vegetation is thick and there is no cellphone service.

On Sunday, July 27, 2025, ASP issued an updated description of the suspect. After receiving additional information, investigators now believe he was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, with sleeves rolled up, rather than a tank top as originally reported. The suspect is an unknown white male with a medium build. He was wearing dark pants, a dark ballcap and sunglasses. The suspect had a black backpack and was wearing fingerless gloves. He was seen driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan.

The suspect’s vehicle may be a Mazda with a license plate covered by electrical or duct tape. It may have been traveling on State Highway 170 or State Highway 220 near the park.

Anyone with images of the suspect, information about the suspect or his whereabouts should contact ASP Troop L at (479) 751-6663. Investigators urge anyone with photos or video to not post footage on social media, as this may inadvertently jeopardize the investigation. State police just released these images of the suspect. More info here.




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Sunday, July 27, 2025

North Rim of Black Canyon to open

Park staff will open the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to the public on July 30, 2025. Visitors will be able to access trails, overlooks, and the North Rim Campground.

Park staff will be available at the ranger station 10:00am to 3:00pm daily for information, permits, and to answer questions. The 13-site North Rim Campground will be open on a first-come, first-served basis. The small campground is limited to vehicles less than 22 feet (6.7 m) long. The South Rim of the park remains closed due to firefighting activity.

The South Rim Fire started on July 10, 2025, and remains active. Information on the fire can be found at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cobcp-south-rim.



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Friday, July 25, 2025

Lighting Strike Tree Causes Small Fire South of the Lawn Lake Area of Rocky Mountain National Park

At approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, Rocky Mountain National Park received a report of a potential lightning strike fire seen from Rainbow Curve on the east side of the park. Fire managers confirmed a small, single white plume in steep terrain approximately ¼ mile below treeline, in a remote location in the Lawn Lake area. There was high humidity and a mix of heavy and light rain in the park.

Early this morning park fire staff hiked to the steep, remote area. No values are at risk. The Roaring River Fire is currently a single smoldering tree, .01 acre, and is located south of the Lawn Lake area. Park fire staff have accessed the fire with the intent to contain it.

Fire restrictions reminder:

Rocky Mountain National Park always has Stage 1 fire restrictions in place, which means that campfires are prohibited except within designated campfire rings inside picnic areas and drive-in campgrounds. The use of portable charcoal grills, wood fuel camp stoves, and propane/butane-fueled gas stoves is allowed. Fireworks are always prohibited within Rocky Mountain National Park.

Use caution and vigilance when having a fire. Never leave a campfire unattended. When done with a fire, use the drown and stir method to put it out. Pour water on the fire, use a shovel or stick to stir the coals, add more water and repeat until the coals are cool to touch.



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Thursday, July 24, 2025

South Rim Fire response update

The South Rim Wildfire, which was ignited by lightning strikes on July 10, 2025, remains active within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The park is coordinating with federal, state, and local partners to manage fire activity and to assess potential post-fire impacts. The park remains closed to visitors until further notice.

At this time, drinking water supplies have not been directly impacted by the fire. Starting July 21, a team of Department of the Interior and US Forest Service hydrologists and soil scientists began conducting rapid assessments to evaluate risks such as sedimentation and debris flow that could impact water quality.

Once conditions allow, a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team will be deployed to evaluate post-fire threats including flooding, debris flows, hazardous materials, cultural and historic sites, and hazard trees, as well as impacts to vegetation, wildlife, and recreation. The BAER team includes specialists from the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Weather Service, and U.S. Forest Service. The National Park Service will share findings and any recommended treatments as they become available.

For updates on fire activity and response efforts, visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cobcp-south-rim. For updates on park operations, visit www.nps.gov/blca.



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