7/23/2015 Paradise Fire

Paradise Fire Update  

July 23, 2015

For Immediate Release
360-797-5366

The cooler weather and higher humidity continues to have favorable effects on the fire area, creating very little growth. This fire is still burning and will continue to burn and smoke into the fall months. It will take a heavy rain or snow storm to saturate the ground below the thick forest canopy before this fire can be extinguished.

The fire is backing down into the drainage and accomplishing exactly what the objectives dictate in the management strategy. The objective is to confine the fire within the Park boundaries. The remote location, steep terrain, heavy fuel loads and drought conditions all create a condition where a long term management strategy must be used.

Firefighters continue to monitor the edges of the fire looking for heat and when safe to do so, they are tasked with taking measures to cool and extinguish these hot spots.

The Safety of firefighters is a key component to the fire management strategy. After several days of moderate temperatures and more humid conditions over the fire area, people may think things are "easier" for the personnel on the fireline.  "Actually, during a slowing of fire activity, firefighters can be even more challenged.  This is the time of a fire when maintaining focus and safety awareness can be difficult," states Incident Commander Fulton Jeansonne.

While the fire footprint did not grow Wednesday, large burning trees are continually changing at a slow rate.  A tree that was solid 3 days ago may gradually become weak enough to fall, or large branches may drop.  These are some of the hazards that develop over hours and days, even as the weather helps reduce the fire intensity and spread.

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.