7/7/2015 Paradise Fire Update

Paradise Fire Update 

July 7, 2015

For Immediate Release
360-797-5366

The Paradise Fire was active on both the west and east flanks yesterday, while the northern perimeter has slowed its advance towards Pelton Peak. The northwest corner of the fire is backing slowly westward and is currently about 1 mile due north of the confluence of Paradise Creek and the Queets River or about 1 to 1.5 miles east of Bob Creek. Firefighters report significant progress on containing the three spot fires south of the Queets River with no visible smoke within the perimeters. The focus today will be on ensuring that no heat exists in these spot fires.  Monday's weather was cooler than forecasted which resulted in less fire activity. This cooling trend is expected to continue for the next few days. Canadian smoke will remain in the area most of the week.  

The Incident Management Team has ordered an Air Resource Advisor to monitor air quality. This specialist brought two temporary air quality monitors which have been installed in Forks and Queets. A flyer is available to help people understand the impact of wildfire smoke in their communities. This document is posted on the Paradise Fire Facebook page. Detailed information about air quality, wildfire smoke impacts on health, and some smoke modeling guidelines for considering whether to modify activity can be found online at www.wasmoke.blogspot.com.

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