7/1/2015 9 am Paradise Fire Update

Paradise Fire Update 

July 1, 2015

For Immediate Release
360-797-5366

The Paradise Fire continues to creep slowly up the slope of 5301 foot (1616m) Pelton Peak in Olympic National Park. The fire began at around the 700 foot elevation level and the fire growth has now reached the 3000 foot level. The fire is now burning on both sides of Paradise Creek through heavy fuels on the forest floor. Both the eastern and western edges of the fire are reported to be quiet, and the crews are successfully keeping it north of the Queets River. Fire and Park staff briefed U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer and several local elected officials yesterday afternoon.

Today is a transition day for one of the fire use module crews fighting the fire in the Queets River drainage. One crew will depart for some well-deserved time off and be replaced by a fresh team of firefighters. "The fire use modules are highly valuable to managing fires in remote settings and difficult places," observed Incident Commander Bill Hahnenberg. "They help us keep the fire going where we want it to, taking tactical actions when needed."

With the July 4^th holiday weekend approaching, Olympic National Park officials would like to remind the public that there 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. 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. Fireworks are illegal on federal and state lands. Check local regulations for other recreation areas. Olympic peninsula communities welcome visitors, and ask people to celebrate and recreate responsibly, keeping fire danger in mind.

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.