Update: Crews continue to make progress on the difficult Bear Gulch Fire. This extremely steep fire rises 3500 ft from the lakeshore to the top of Mt. Rose through rocky terrain and dead trees left from the 2006 Bear Gulch fire. These steep and hazardous conditions limit the ability of firefighters to work safely on the hillside. Fire crews continue strengthening containment lines around the perimeter utilizing pre-identified existing natural barriers and trail systems such as the Wagon Wheel Lake trail, Mt. Rose trail and Mt. Ellinor trail. Crews are applying water with hose lines to accessible portions of the fire, felling hazard trees along control lines and clearing brush to create fire lines. Helicopters continue to drop water on remote portions of the fire to keep it from spreading towards Staircase Ranger Station or the communities around Lake Cushman.

Closures: For public safety and the safety of our crews FS RD-2419 is closed to public access. This includes the Mt. Ellinor trail. This closure remains in effect while crews operate heavy equipment to improve the fire-line. NF Road 2400 is closed at mile marker 10.5, at the junction of N Mount Church DR. and NF road 2400. Falling or rolling debris from the fire area, including large boulders and trees, continue to pose a serious hazard to anyone on NF Road 2400 (also known as FS-24, Road 119 and N Lake Cushman Road). This ongoing threat presents significant safety concerns.  This closure on NF Road 2400 includes access to day use, trailheads and other sites beyond the closure point. Other recreation sites continue to be evaluated for the potential of future closure based on changing fire conditions and operations.

Campfires in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest are restricted to established fire rings.

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:

There are many closures within both the Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest. Please visit their websites to view all closures:

Lake Usage:

Helicopters will continue to use the North end of Lake Cushman for dipping water to use for fire suppression. Please continue to keep the north end of the lake clear from boating and other recreational uses.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Wednesday is expected to be hot and dry with a high near 93. Winds are light and variable becoming southwest from 5-10 mph. Wednesday evening is mostly clear with a low around 56. Winds will be 5-8 mph becoming call after midnight.

Smoke: Smoke impacts have been minimal thanks to daily water drops. There may be occasional smoke in the afternoon as the temperature rises and humidity falls. With the hot, dry 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.