7/10/2015 Paradise Fire Daily Update

Paradise Fire Update  

July 10, 2015

For Immediate Release
360-797-5366

Minimal fire activity was observed on Thursday due to favorable weather. As a result, little growth was observed on either the northwestern or northeastern corners of the fire, or up the slopes of Pelton Peak. Over the past 48 hours the fire has increased in size by only 20 acres. Predicted cooler temperatures and the possibility of some precipitation in the forecast is likely to slow the fires advance even more.

A 10 person crew from the Washington Conservation Corps will begin improving & clearing the Queets River trail today. The trail has not been maintained in years resulting in extensive overgrowth and downed logs as well as lack of a defined pathway. The WCC supervisor has been working in the Park for four years and is very familiar with the kind of work that is acceptable in a wilderness area. This is normal maintenance of one of the Park's backcountry trails. It will be improved only to pre-existing width and condition using handtools and chainsaws, which are allowed for trail maintenance. Clearing the trail will benefit operations by providing access to fire by ground should helicopters become unavailable due to weather. Up to this point all personnel and supplies have been flown in, something which has become less reliable as fog and smoke have hampered air operations. Fire managers want to ensure they can supply the crew by pack mules if needed, reducing dependence on helicopters.The WCC will be joined by a 20 person fire crew from Central Oregon on Saturday.

Olympic National Park officials would like to remind the public that there is 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.

For real time information, visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paradise-Fire/831205013596015. Basic information is also available on Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4305/.  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.

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Paradise Fire Information Staff

360-797-5366