Yosemite, CA — US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum spent this past Saturday in Yosemite National Park.
Burgum, the former Governor of North Dakota, has been serving as President Trump’s Interior Secretary since early 2025.
In a post on social media, Burgum stated, “There’s no better place to celebrate National Trails Day than Yosemite National Park.”
Burgum went on to thank the Yosemite Park Superintendent Ray McPadden for welcoming him to experience the “breathtaking park” firsthand and for highlighting the trails that connect visitors to some of America’s most iconic landscapes.
Griefer highlights local issues
Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Griefer was among those who had the chance to meet with Burgum on Saturday.
Griefer reported at today’s board of supervisors meeting, “One of the big things that they are trying to do is a unified fire response,” instead of focusing too heavily, initially, on whose jurisdiction the fire is located in.
Griefer added, “I informed him that the Chinese Camp fire started on BLM (land) and the Rim Fire started on Forest Service (land). The mentality of, “It’s not on our border; it’s not our responsibility,’ needs to change because the fire doesn’t care about that.”
Griefer also brought up some specific fire-related issues in the Cedar Ridge and Twain Harte areas.
Griefer also spoke to Burgum about initiatives in Tuolumne County to reduce fire risk. He added, “I touted that we are the leader in the state, if not the nation, with some of the fire stuff that we are doing in our county. He was very proud to hear that and was looking for more input, so, as I have an opportunity, I will get that information out to the board (of supervisors), and we can continue to have that ‘seat at the table.’”
Griefer concluded, “It was a really good discussion with the Secretary. We also talked about the reservation system for the park. The park is very happy with the way the park is operating right now. There are a lot of really good things going on.”
