06/30/2015 Paradise Fire Update

Paradise Fire Update

June 30, 2015

For Immediate Release
360-797-5366

It was a fairly calm day on the Paradise Fire, as crews took advantage of favorable weather conditions. Remote cameras stationed in the Queets River valley transmitted photos back to the Incident Command Post showing smoke concentrated in a few areas of the fire perimeter.

Of particular concern to firefighters is the area around Paradise Creek on the flanks of Pelton Peak. A return to higher temperatures are expected later this week, so weather conditions will again challenge firefighters.

One of the Incident Management Team’s priority objectives is firefighter safety. This is a particular point of concern today, which is the second anniversary of the Yarnell Fire near Prescott Arizona, where 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew lost their lives. Tragedies like this are a constant reminder of the need to be vigilant and alert to safety hazards. The Paradise Fire is burning in very steep terrain, and fire managers continue to assess safety conditions in order to avoid putting firefighters at risk.

Park crews responded to an illegal escaped campfire late Monday. The public is reminded that conditions remain extremely dry, and the forest is vulnerable to careless human caused fires. With the 4^thof July weekend approaching, the public needs to be even more vigilant.

Olympic National Park has instituted a ban on open fires in the park’s wilderness backcountry, including all locations along the coast. Campfires are permitted only in established fire grates at established front country campgrounds. The burn restriction will remain in place until further notice. Camp stoves may still be used in the park's wilderness backcountry, but should be operated well away from flammable vegetation and forest litter. Because of the extreme conditions on the peninsula, Olympic National Forest has also implemented fire restrictions. 

Information on this fire is available on Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4305/. For real time information, visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paradise-Fire/831205013596015. For current information about visiting Olympic National Park, as well as information about the history and role of fire in the Olympic ecosystem, please visit the park’s website at http://www.nps.gov/olym.