Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks were closed entirely Wednesday evening by National Park Service officials due to unsanitary conditions that were creating health and safety concerns. 

The two parks, in California's Sierra Nevada, are believed to have become the first in the National Park System to be entirely closed due to visitation problems since the partial government shutdown began nearly two weeks ago. That shutdown, while leaving most parks open, has left them without maintenance crews to deal with restroom wastes and overflowing garbage cans, as those personnel were not deemed essential.

Previously, Sequoia and Kings Canyon had closed some areas, including Wuskachi Lodge in Sequoia, because of sanitation issues. Without maintenance crews to tend to those issues, and without rangers to manage crowds, conditions were becoming untenable in the parks.

"Bathroom facilities in all locations (in Sequoia) are unsanitary and unhealthy, resulting in facility closures and human waste and toilet paper accumulation," wrote Public Affairs Officer Sintia Kawasaki-Yee in a release Wednesday evening. "Overflowing trash receptacles have resulted in animals eating and spreading trash around. Lack of adequate parking has resulted in significant pedestrian use of the Generals Highway, creating risk of pedestrian-vehicle conflicts."

In Sequoia, the closure order was being enforced at the Ash Mountain Entrance Station in Three Rivers, California, and extended through the Foothills, Giant Forest, and Lodgepole areas through to Lost Grove. The closure includes all concession and park partner operations.

At Kings Canyon, the closure was being enforced at the Big Stump Entrance Station on Highway 180. It included all areas and services within Grant Grove, such as the General Grant Tree, Big Stump Picnic Area, Grant Grove Village, Azalea Campground and all concession and park partner operations. 

Sanititation conditions in Kings Canyon were similar to those in Sequoia, said Kawasaki-Yee, and illegal campfires had been made there.

"It is likely these closures will remain in effect for the duration of the government shutdown," she added.