Before you head out, check new park closures tied to prescribed fire, wildfire hazards and coastal weather. Today’s briefing also includes a North Carolina paddle-boater rescue report.

Illustrative Yosemite Valley landscape from Tunnel View: NPS / C. Jacoby. National Park Service photo. This photograph does not depict the current Dome Fire. No claim to original U.S. Government works.

Wildfire and Fire Restrictions

• Kings Canyon: Grant Grove prescribed-fire closures: An October 16 NPS update announced a 482-acre prescribed fire in Kings Canyon National Park’s Grant Grove area, planned to begin October 17 if weather permits; the announcement is a plan, not confirmation that ignition occurred (National Park Service). The Grant Grove Day Ride Loop Trail closure starts October 17; General Grant Tree Trail, North Grove Loop Trail and Grant Tree Road closures start October 18, followed by portions of Sunset Trail on October 19 (National Park Service). If you are visiting, plan around those closures: areas will reopen only after hazards are cleared and conditions are safe, and smoke may affect visibility and air quality (National Park Service).

After confirming your destination is open and checking its fire rules, browse our Camping collection.

Trail and Access Closures

• Yosemite: revised Dome Fire safety closure: Yosemite’s October 17 notice closes the road segments, trail segments and areas marked on the Dome Fire Safety Closure 2026 version 9 map to all travel, except administrative and firefighting activities (National Park Service). The order supersedes prior area closures and remains in place until rescinded; before you hike, use the linked map rather than assuming an entire named road or trail is either open or closed (National Park Service). NPS identifies falling trees and limbs, burning logs, hot ash and smoke-related visibility and respiratory hazards within the fire area (National Park Service).
• Outer Banks: storm closes NPS visitor areas: An October 17 release announced closures by noon that day of Cape Hatteras National Seashore campgrounds, off-road vehicle ramps and visitor facilities, along with Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial (National Park Service). The release forecast wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph, high surf, overwash and coastal flooding, and reported a mandatory evacuation of Hatteras Island visitors ordered by Dare County (National Park Service). If your plans involve these areas, wait for an official reopening announcement: reopening depends on improved conditions and completed post-storm assessments (National Park Service).

Once you have checked current access for your chosen route, explore our Hiking collection.

Water Safety

• Lake Waccamaw: paddle boater rescued after taking on water: An October 17 report says a paddle boater on Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina, lost sight of shore and began taking on water in windy conditions; responders located the boater within 10 minutes of the distress call, with no injuries reported (FOX Wilmington / WECT). The town urged you to use caution on the water, ensure your vessel is properly equipped and contact emergency services immediately if you need help (FOX Wilmington / WECT).

Featured Gear: Review the Princeton Tec Apex LED Headlamp, Black/Grey as you plan your hiking and campsite lighting. Check its specifications against your needs before choosing your gear.

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