Update: With higher temperatures and increased winds, fire behavior increased on Wednesday and the fire progressed west across Bear Gulch and onto Copper Mountain. Crews working in the Staircase area continue placing sprinkler kits and installing fire protective wrap on structures. Two helicopters and two super scooper airplanes spent most of the day dropping water on the fire to slow its progress towards National Park infrastructure. This fire is in extremely steep terrain that rises 3500 ft from the lakeshore to the top of Mt. Rose and on to Copper Mountain. These steep conditions limit the ability of firefighters to work safely on the hillside due to rolling debris, falling trees and difficult access. Fire crews continue strengthening containment lines around the perimeter using natural barriers, roads, and trails.
Closures: USDA, Forest Service, Olympic National Forest Order NO. 06-09-25-04 for the Bear Gulch area is in effect. NF Road 2400 is closed at mile marker 10.5, at the junction of N Mount Church DR. and NF road 2400. This closure on NF Road 2400 includes access to day use, trailheads and other sites beyond the closure point. FS RD-2419 is closed to public access. This includes the Mt. Ellinor trail system. The Lower and Upper Big Creek Loop, leaving from Big Creek Campground are also closed. This closure remains in effect while crews operate heavy equipment to improve the fire-line. Big Creek Campground remains open. Other recreation sites continue to be evaluated for the potential of future closure based on changing fire conditions and operations. Additional information is available at the website links below.
For Olympic National Park closures, check their website:
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.
Lake Usage:
Aircraft will continue to use the North end of Lake Cushman for dipping water for fire suppression. Please continue to keep the north end of the lake clear from boating and other recreational uses.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Thursday begins a slight cooling trend with sunny skies and a high near 88. Winds are moving from the south around 6 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low around 58 and winds from the south, southwest around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
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, 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.