8/4/2015 Paradise Fire Update

Fire personnel flew over the Paradise Fire again on Monday afternoon and observed that a narrow finger of the fire has reached Bob Creek. When the fire was first discovered in early June, Bob Creek was established as landmark that if reached, would trigger additional suppression actions.

In accordance with that plan, helicopters will be used today to drop bucket loads of water onto the fire’s western flank to slow the fire’s western progression. Incident Commanders will also fly into the area to develop further suppression options and firefighters will scout sites for a portable water tank to aid further suppression activities. Kloochman Lookout will continue to be staffed providing a critical observation site for both fire managers and firefighters on the ground.

The fire continues to burn deep within the wilderness of Olympic National Park and is in an area of huge, centuries-old trees and extremely steep terrain, making traditional ground firefighting tactics impossible. Firefighter and public safety remain the top priorities in suppressing and managing the Paradise Fire.

In other activities on Monday, firefighters patrolled the area south of the Queets River and found no spot fires. Initial Attack crews continued patrols of the western side of the national park and are available to fight any new fires should they occur.

Park managers will also re-evaluate the Queets River Trail closure at Bob Creek, and will likely move the closure further west for public and firefighter safety. Updates will be posted to Inciweb, Facebook and Twitter.

Although smoke is a concern to many, the fire continues to burn in an area that is not immediately threatening life or property.

Fires are not permitted in the backcountry area of Olympic National Park, including coastal areas. Campfires are only allowed in established front-country campgrounds in metal campfire rings.

For real time and detailed information, visit our Facebook page: 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.