8/22/16 Olympic National Park Fires

Fire Information Office

Olympic National Park Fires 2016

Godkin, Hayes, Cox Valley and Ignar Creek

360-565-3125

Eight-Mile Section of Elwha River Trail Closed for public safety

Park officials and fire managers closed an approximately eight-mile section of the Elwha River Trail at 3:30pm Monday afternoon, to provide for public safety in the vicinity of two wilderness fires.  The trail will be closed from the Hayes River Ranger Station south to Chicago Camp. The trail remains open from Hayes River north to the Whiskey Bend Trailhead and from Chicago Camp south.

Fire crews reported three new spot fires on Monday afternoon from the Godkin Fire in the Elwha River valley. Two of the spot fires were approximately one-tenth of an acre, and one was reported even smaller, at approximately 30 feet by 30 feet in size. Camp Wilder shelter is approximately 100 yards north of one of the spot fires. Water drops from helicopters are being used to cool the fire spots.

Wilderness permit holders for that area will be apprised on the closure and provided information about alternative routes.

In addition to the closure of this segment of the Elwha River Trail, there are two other fire-related closures in Olympic National Park. About eight miles of the Hayden Pass Trail are also closed, from the Hayes River Ranger Station to Dose Meadows to the east.  The Obstruction Point Road remains closed.  

There are approximately 600 miles of trail within Olympic National Park.