Fire danger on the Olympic Peninsula remains high, with active fires on both sides of the Olympic Mountains. It's nothing like the damage being done by fires in North Central Washington – where …
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This Olympic Peninsula fire locater map, dated Aug. 20, shows the larger Paradise Fire on the west side of the Olympic Mountains, and smaller fires on the east side. Source: Olympic National Park
Fire danger on the Olympic Peninsula remains high, with active fires on both sides of the Olympic Mountains. It's nothing like the damage being done by fires in North Central Washington – where three firefighters died Aug. 19 and a fourth was critically injured – yet the potential exists.
The U.S. Forest Service has guidelines for how it is approaching the wildfires.
"Our priorities are firefighter and public safety, response to new fires, community and infrastructure protection, and protection of watersheds that supply municipal drinking water," according to Jennifer Berger, public information officer in the Olympic National Forest, Hood Canal Ranger District.
Campfire and burn bans remain in effect. A statewide ban on open burning, on local and state properties, is in effect through Sept. 31, 2015. A select number of campgrounds within Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest still allow campfires in approved fire rings. Otherwise, no open burning is allowed.
GOLD FIRE
The nearest lightning fire to Jefferson County communities is the Gold Fire near Bon Jon Pass, 6 miles northwest of Quilcene. As of Aug. 20, the U.S. Forest Service reports the fire to be 10 acres in size, with a 20-person crew mopping up.
Closed to public access at this time are Forest Road 2820, Forest Road 2810-010, Little Quilcene Trail, and the upper potion of the Mt. Townsend Trail.
CABIN CREEK FIRE
The Cabin Creek Fire in the vicinity of Trap Pass, southwest of Quilcene and 3 miles northeast of the Hamma Hamma campgrounds in Mason County, is contained at eight acres. As of Aug. 20, one engine crew is mopping up and monitoring for any remaining smokes.
Closed to public access at this time are Forest Service Road 2530, beyond the 2530-100 Road.
PARADISE FIRE
The peninsula's largest wildfire at 2,440 acres, the Paradise Fire started by lightning in May, remains active. As of Aug. 20, increased fire behavior was observed Aug. 19 on the western and northern flanks with the hotter and drier weather. There was some fire growth west of Bob Creek, most of which was moving northwest. Firefighters were successful at keeping the fire's southwest end east of Bob Creek. The medium helicopter assigned to the fire continues bucket drops. The Sequoia-Kings Wildfire Module on the fire uses small portable pumps to continue suppression actions on the ground. The sprinkler system installed over the past two weeks is being used. Four firefighters that had been assisting with fires in the Olympic National Forest are due to return to the Paradise Fire Aug. 20.
HAYES / LaCROSSE FIRES
The Hayes Fire in Olympic National Park, started by lightning Aug. 12, provided no visible smoke during helicopter observation Aug. 19, and is in monitor status. It was about a tenth of an acre in size.
The LaCrosse Fire, about a tenth of an acre in size on Aug. 19, was producing no visible smoke, and is in monitor status.
HUNGRY FIRE
Helicopter observation Aug. 19 revealed the fire at about a quarter of an acre, with no additional fire growth. Monitoring is to continue and additional suppression activities may be used if necessary.
SEE THE SMOKE
Smoke from fires around the region is carried in the upper-level winds for hundreds of miles, park officials noted. To see the most up-to-date weather patterns that are transporting the smoke, check out
