National parks in one state are subject to wildfire smoke wafting in from other states on fire. This smelly, thick haze affects more than just one's ability to view the scenery. It also impacts human health along with the health of wildlife and plant life. But how? After a recent trip into Mount Rainier National Park, where smoke from wildfires in California and Oregon hid much of the landscape, turned the sky and atmosphere a dirty yellow, and smelled strongly of burning wood, photographer Rebecca Latson tried to find some answers to her questions.

In a decision that could lead to litigation, the National Park Service is moving to preserve the ranching industry at Point Reyes National Seashore in California for two more decades. While the hefty decision document also calls for maintaining the seashore's free-ranging Tule elk herds, it also allows for the killing of elk near livestock operations.

The 116th Congress has shown strong support for national parks, according to the National Parks Action Fund's congressional scorecard, but there remain concerns over insufficient National Park Service funding and legislation that adversely impacts the parks.

Yosemite and Kings Canyon national park officials moved to close their parks Thursday evening because of poor air quality that was judged to be in the hazardous range due to wildfires in California.