RV News: Grand Canyon Fire Scandal, Bear Attacks, Park Openings & Major Industry Merger

From RV Podcast - Stories From The Road by Mike Wendland

April 27, 2026 · 21 min · Episode 603

About this episode

This episode covers significant RV news including a congressional hearing on the Grand Canyon fire, bear attacks in national parks, and a potential merger in the RV industry.

This week's RV news is big. A congressional hearing reveals what really happened when the Grand Canyon burned. A potential mega-merger could reshape every RV on the road. Bears are attacking hikers at the most visited park in America. And the national parks are opening - with some major changes you need to know before you go. In this episode: The Dragon Bravo Fire scandal: did the NPS let it burn on purpose? Congress wants answers. Fire season is already here - Southeast RVers, there are campfire bans in effect RIGHT NOW Patrick Industries and Lippert in merger talks - the two companies inside your RV want to combine Bears attacked six hikers at Great Smoky Mountains in two weekends - here is what not to do Grand Canyon North Rim reopens May 15 after the most destructive fire in park history Glacier National Park drops its reservation system for 2026 - finally Acadia, Yellowstone updates - and an RV height warning Acadia visitors must hear New episodes every Monday (News) and Wednesday (Stories from the Road). Subscribe so you never miss one. Join our community at RVCommunity.com - ad-free, no algorithms, just RVers. Plan your next trip at rvlifestyle.com/plan

People in this episode

Host: Mike Wendland

Topics covered

RV news
national parks
fire incidents
bear attacks
industry mergers
camping regulations

Keywords

Grand Canyon
fire scandal
bear attacks
national parks
RV industry
merger
campfire bans
Great Smoky Mountains
Glacier National Park
Acadia

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: National Park Service, Patrick Industries, Lippert

Places: Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Glacier National Park, Acadia, Yellowstone