Paradise Fire Daily Update July 14, 2015

The weather is changing.  The moist and cool weather is beginning to moderate.  The next few days will have lower humidity and warmer temperatures.  The improving weather has allowed the helicopters to resume their support of the crews on the ground. Yesterday's fly-over of the fire revealed little recent growth in the fire's margins, but concentrations of heat remain which may flare up as the weather changes. (Use the Facebook link below to see the flight video.) Recent work on the fire's margins is expected to help contain any further growth to the west or south.

Trail improvement from the Queets River Trailhead to the fire is going well.  The Washington Conservation Crew has completed their assignment on the lower section of the trail and they are breaking camp and hiking out today (Tuesday.)  The Central Oregon Type 2 Initial Attack crew has also made good progress.  The work has often been challenging, including cutting out a 70 inch diameter tree that had fallen across the trail.  Over the next few days they will improve about 5 more miles of trail to provide good access to the fire.

The management of the Paradise Fire is changing.  The National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) led by Bill Hahnenberg is leaving today.  In their place is a Type 3 Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Jason Loomis.  Mr. Loomis says that his intent is to continue the present direction and minimize any negative impacts to those on the fireline.

The open fire ban is still in effect.  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.

More information 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

Paradise Fire Information Staff

360-797-5366