Paradise Fire Update - Friday July 17, 2015

The 1600-acre Paradise Fire in the upper Queets River Valley is continuing to burn within Olympic National Park Wilderness.  Recent observations show that it has grown only 14 acres since the rains last weekend.  The lightning-caused fire, which started in May, was discovered in June and the decision was made to suppress the fire because it occurred so early in the fire season and because of the extremely dry conditions.  

The fire is in burning in centuries-old forest in extreme steep and rugged terrain. In these conditions, it is both unsafe and ineffective to attempt fighting this fire using direct methods such as building a fireline with hand tools. A confinement strategy was developed to use the Queets River as a natural barrier on the south and use portable pumps and hose to prevent further movement to the west toward the park's boundary.  The fire is continuing to move upslope to the north and will likely burn itself out as it moves into higher and less vegetated topography.

The fire is in old-growth rainforest that has not burned for an estimated 500 years, with towering trees, standing snags, and downed logs, many over six feet in diameter. Firefighters reported Thursday that some very large trees were beginning to fall over as their root systems burn and weaken, often kicking loose rocks and other debris that falls down the steep slopes.  

Predicted warm and dry weather this weekend may cause the fire to expand.  Last weekend, fire growth slowed after receiving some rain. Concentrations of fuel continue to burn and are posing a risk of further spread as the weather dries.  As the weather warms, increasing fire activity may produce smoke that can be seen from other areas within and outside of the park.

Access to the fire has been improved.  Crews on the ground have cleared the Queets River Trail which will allow the Olympic National Park mule team to support firefighters and provide better ground access if needed for emergencies.  Helicopters have been used to ferry supplies into firefighters on the ground as visibility allows.  

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