The hiring freeze exemption comes after congressional Democrats and conservation groups warned that national parks could be short-staffed this summer.

Visitors to Colorado’s national parks this summer could find dirty bathrooms and closures at visitor centers and campgrounds if a federal hiring freeze does not thaw.

The two decisions underscore the confusing — and at times contradictory — nature of the new administration’s efforts to shrink the federal workforce.

One-thousand National Park Service staff were being fired Friday as part of the Trump administration's move to reduce the size of federal government, though the agency was told it could begin hiring 5,

The National Park Service informed superintendents Thursday about upcoming layoffs. An internal email reveals 2,300 probationary employees, including 1,000 from the Park Service, will be dismissed Friday.

“Exempting National Park Service seasonal staff from the federal hiring freeze means parks can fill some visitor services positions. But with peak season just weeks away, the decision to slash 1,000 permanent, full-time jobs from national parks is reckless and could have serious public safety and health consequences.“

The Trump administration's hiring freeze could leave Arizona "woefully unprepared" for fire season, Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., warned.