8/2/2015 Paradise Fire Update

Paradise Fire Update - Monday, August 3, 2015

The hot, dry pattern continued over the weekend.  The Paradise Fire grew again Sunday.  An infrared mapping flight was requested Saturday night, and due to the number of other fires in the country with homes threatened and people at risk, this fire was a lower priority and the flight was not completed.  Since there was no infrared data available, personnel used a GPS device while flying over the fire to collect location information on the west edge of the fire.  Based on combining the GPS data with previous infrared-mapped perimeters, the total footprint of the fire is now estimated at 2,292 acres.  This is a total growth of 1,020 acres in the last month.  The fire remains east of Bob Creek and north of the Queets River.  

Although it will be cooler on Monday and Tuesday, it is still expected to be beyond the temperature, humidity, and Energy Release Component (ERC) thresholds that coincide with growth days on this fire.   The helitack crewmembers will be flown to the fire area, to examine the ground on the south side of the river and ensure there are no spot fires.  There has been no evidence of heat across the river from the infrared camera at the lookout, and the incoming Incident Commander wants to verify that on the ground.  The lookout position will be in place to keep an eye on the main portion of the fire while the firefighters work.  Initial Attack modules will patrol the west side of Olympic National Park.  A cooling trend begins today, with a gradual return to normal temperatures forecast by mid-week.  As the season progresses, fires that directly threaten communities are generally the priority for people and equipment.  It may be more difficult to get aerial infrared mapping as regularly as it was done during the first month of this incident.

Wildland fire assignments are generally limited to 14-days at a time.  Today a new Incident Commander, Jason Demas, has overall responsibility for the Paradise Fire.   After his transition with outgoing IC Fulton Jeansonne, IC Demas provided a leader's intent message to all personnel: "Everyone should be thinking 2-3 days into the future, keeping informed on fire weather forecasts and how to safely and effectively respond to changing conditions."  The incident management team has members from around the country, here to provide assistance to Olympic National Park during this historic fire event.  

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.

Link to new progression map:

http://tinyurl.com/nl9m9wd 

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Paradise Fire Information Staff

360-797-5366