Bear Gulch Fire Update as of 3 PM 7/11/2025: Crews continued work along NF Road 2400 removing fuels and maintaining access and egress to allow for continued operations. The Staircase area was also evaluated for fuels mitigation work and structure protection. Crews spent time on the west side of the causeway looking at homes and evaluating the best way to mitigate fuels and provide structure protection to homes and structures in that area should it become necessary.

The potential for falling debris across NF 2400 (FS24) continues to be a primary hazard in the area. Water drops or rain showers can agitate the loose rock and other unstable debris on the steep hillside above NF Road 2400.  Crews are using a grader to help clear the roadway to maintain access for firefighting efforts and escape in case of an emergency.

Incident priorities in the Staircase area are residential structure protection and defense of area infrastructure. Crews will be reducing fuels, wrapping structures in protective barriers, and placing sprinklers to protect those values near Staircase Ranger Station today. Crews will also be removing snags, brush, and debris along NF Road 2400 to use it as a fire break. In addition, fire personnel will be working on the east side of the fire to identify new fire lines and establish existing roads and trails for additional fire breaks.

Falling or rolling debris from the fire area, including large boulders and trees will continue to pose a serious hazard to anyone on NF Road 2400 (also known as FS-24, Road 119 and N Lake Cushman Road). Due to this ongoing threat and significant safety concerns, NF Road 2400 is closed, including access to day use, trailheads and other sites beyond the closure point, at mile marker 10.5. This junction is where the pavement ends and the Forest Service road into the Staircase area of Olympic National Park begins. Access to Division 3 remains open.

Due to dry conditions, high fire danger, and the number of interagency resources already dedicated to active incidents, campfires in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest are restricted to established fire rings starting at 12 a.m. on July 11th, 2025. 

Evacuation Levels: While there are no evacuation orders currently in effect, below is a reminder of how to prepare for an evacuation incident:

Level 1 – READY: Prepare a go kit for you, family, animals. Clear areas around your home in advance. Know your escape routes.

Level 2 – SET:     Have your go kit on hand and ready. Ensure you, your family, and animals and ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Level 3 – GO:      Grab your go kit. Load your family and animals and leave.

Closures:

Road Closures:

  • NF Road 2400 is closed at mile post 10.5
  • NFS Road 2451 is closed at Copper Creek Trailhead and Dry Creek East Trailhead are not accessible.
  • All spur roads located within the Forest Service Closure area are also closed to the public.

Trail Closures:

  • #814 Mt Rose Trail (ONF)
  • Northfork Skokomish River Trail from Staircase to its junction with the Flapjack Lakes Trail (ONP)
  • Wagonwheel Lake Trail (ONP)
  • Shady Lane Trail (ONP)
  • Four Stream Trail (ONP)
  • Slide Camp and Wagonwheel Lake wilderness campsites (ONP)

Recreation Site Closures:

  • Bear Gulch Picnic Area
  • Cushman Day Use Site 1 Picnic Area
  • Cushman Day Use Site 2 Picnic Area
  • Cushman Day Use Site 3 Picnic Area
  • Cushman Day Use Site 4 Picnic Area
  • Cushman Day Use Site 5 Picnic Area
  • Mt Rose Trailhead
  • The Staircase area and Campground in Olympic National Park are closed

Lake Usage

  • The northwest section of Lake Cushman needs to remain clear of boaters and recreational use for visitor and fire fighter safety (see attached image). This zone may be needed by firefighting aircraft for scooping and landing.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Today will be sunny with a high near 84. Calm winds becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Friday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 57. East winds around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Smoke: Smoke impacts have been minimal thanks to the cooler weather over the last couple of days. With warmer weather starting today, communities near the fire such as Hoodsport, Potlatch, and Skokomish should expect intermittent periods of smoke.

Air Space Restrictions: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire. Any unaccounted-for aircraft, including drones, puts aerial firefighting resources and lives at risk. If you fly, we can’t.  All firefighting aircraft must be grounded if unmanned aircraft or drones are operating near the fire.