8/28/2015 Olympic Peninsula Fire Update

Olympic Peninsula Fire Update

August 28, 2015   

Interagency Fire Information Office – (360) 797-5366

paradisefireinfo@gmail.com

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4305/

Overview:  The Olympic National Park (NPS) and Olympic National Forest (USFS) are managing the information dissemination for all federally managed fires on the Olympic Peninsula through one channel. A Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) is managing fires under NPS and USFS jurisdiction. A Type 4 organization is managing the Gold, Cabin, and Mildred Lake fires under USFS jurisdiction.


Weather:  Light rain began to fall on the Peninsula yesterday and the forecasts calls for a continuation of storm activity through the weekend. These systems are expected to bring 2 to 4 inches of rain to the Olympic Peninsula. The precipitation is expected to reduce fire behavior by raising relative humidity and fuel moisture  though it will not be enough to actually put the fires out. Heavy concentrations of fuel will continue to burn and the dense canopy will prevent much of the precipitation from reaching the ground.

Paradise Fire Update:  Wind from the approaching storm caused an increase in fire activity in fingers on the north side of the fire. In anticipation of the incoming weather the spike camp was disassembled and all fire personnel were pulled off the fire and will be staged until the weather passes. 

 Hungry Fire Update:  There was an increase in activity on the fire yesterday.  An aerial recon of the fire found the fire had grown to 4 acres.  The fire will continue to be monitored and action will be taken as necessary.
 
Gold Fire:  The Olympic National Forest has declared the Gold Fire controlled. Rehab efforts continued yesterday to minimize storm-water run-off and maintain watershed condition. This is the last report for Gold Fire.

Cabin Creek Fire:  This fire is contained and experienced no new growth yesterday. A hand crew and two engine crews have been demobilized and made available for other incidents. A local engine crew will patrol the fire today.

Mildred Lake Fire:  Two smokejumpers are suppressing this fire which was reported yesterday by a watchful hiker. 
 

Fires are not permitted in backcountry areas of Olympic National Park or Olympic National Forest.  Campfires are only allowed in established front-country campgrounds in metal campfire rings.

Campfires continue to be allowed in developed campgrounds because… designated rings are cleared of debris, down to mineral soil, within and around the ring edge. Developed recreation sites include or are close to a water source and road access, should an incident occur.

Fire restrictions for Olympic National Forest can be found at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/olympic/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprd3846455