7/6/2015 Paradise Fire Update

Paradise Fire Update 

July 6, 2015

For Immediate Release
360-797-5366

Weather continues to be the leading story on the Paradise Fire. A thick blanket of smoke drifted over the Olympic Peninsula from multiple fires in British Columbia on Sunday, socking in many communities for much of the day. Firefighters worked to lay hoses and pumps around several spot fires that occurred late Saturday in the flat on the south side of the Queets River. Today, firefighters will continue to work these spot fires, the largest of which is three acres. The fire continues to burn actively on the north perimeter. Weather conditions are expected to moderate some today.

                                         

Safety of firefighters continues to be the top priority. With new spots south of the Queets River, firefighters are now crossing the river more often. Previously this involved firefighters walking on large fallen trees. Now that equipment needs to cross the river, fire managers delivered two small rafts to the firefighters, thereby reducing the risk to firefighter safety.

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. Because of the extreme conditions on the peninsula, Olympic National Forest and local communities have also implemented fire restrictions. Please check the regulations for areas near you.

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.

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Paradise Fire Information Staff

360-797-5366