The Interior Department has instructed National Park Service employees and other agency staff not to publicly confirm deaths or severe injuries occurring in national parks, according to a report by the Washington Post. An internal memo issued in December states that employees 'shall not confirm a death' or disclose details about serious injuries, marking a significant change from the agency's previous practice of releasing information about fatal incidents.
Under the new policy, staff may only acknowledge that an incident has occurred, provide the general location, indicate that responders are on the scene, and mention that further information will be released when appropriate. This guidance applies to all Interior Department bureaus and includes fatalities, suspected fatalities, serious injuries, and what the memo refers to as 'emotionally sensitive incidents.'
Previously, the National Park Service typically issued news releases confirming deaths within one to three days after notifying next of kin and verifying information. Current and former park employees have indicated that the previous approach aimed to provide factual information while avoiding speculation, as public disclosure is seen as a means to keep visitors informed about potential risks in public lands.
An Interior Department spokesperson stated that the guidance aims to create a 'more consistent approach to incident communications' and is 'not intended to conceal fatalities or delay information.' They emphasized that the department continues to issue public safety information and incident updates while respecting investigative processes and privacy concerns.
National parks receive over 300 million visitors annually, with an average of approximately 350 deaths occurring in parks each year due to various causes, including accidents and medical emergencies, according to park service data.