8/25/16 Olympic National Park Fires

Fire Information Office

Olympic National Park Fires 2016

Godkin, Hayes, Cox Valley and Ignar Creek

360-565-3125

Warm Dry Weather Produces Increased Fire Activity

The Hayes Fire exhibited a substantial increase in fire activity Wednesday and moved southeast towards Hayes Pass and Sentinel Peak with the current size estimated at approximately 3139 acres. The Godkin Fire saw less activity and is estimated at 517 acres. Water drops from a helicopter were used Wednesday afternoon to strengthen the confinement barrier on the Cox Valley Fire. It produced a small amount of visible smoke throughout the day and is holding at 56 acres. Very little fire activity was observed on the Ignar Creek Fire and it remains under an acre.

Fire activity is expected to increase today and Friday due to low relative humidity, warm temperatures, and increased winds. Temperatures are expected to reach mid-80s with relative humidity at 24-30% and winds out of the north to northeast 4 - 10 mph. Smoke is likely to be transported to the south and southwest from predicted northeast winds. Beginning on Saturday, cooler temperatures with higher humidity are expected to bring decreased fire activity.

Aircraft Subject to Temporary Flight Restriction

A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect over the fire areas due to increased use of helicopters for water drops and supply delivery.  If drones (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) are ever observed near firefighting operations, our aircraft are not allowed to fly.  Drone launching in national parks is illegal.

Smoke Could Effect Air Quality

Although fires have had and are expected to exhibit active growth through Friday, the fires are still deep in remote wilderness. The heavy amount of smoke is due to the extreme quantities of fuel and burnable materials. Smoke continues to settle into surrounding valleys at night and lifts during the day. People can take precautions to protect themselves by staying indoors when smoke is present. Detailed information on air quality and health impacts is available at www.wasmoke.blogspot.com.

Below is a summary of the fires.  All four fires were started by lightning on July 21, 2016.

Fire Name	Godkin	Hayes	Cox Valley	Ignar Creek
Initial Report	7.25.2016	7.26.2016	7.28.2016	7.29.2016
Estimated size 8/25/2016	517 acres Increase of 2 acres	Approx. 3139 acres Increase of 1500 acres	56 acres Increase of 0 acres	Approx. ¾ acre Increase of 0 acres
Location	25 miles south of Port Angeles along the Elwha River	20 miles south of Port Angeles on a ridgeline between the Lost River and Hayes River	Approximately 12 miles south of Port Angeles, near PJ Lake north of Obstruction Point Ridge	Approximately 22 miles northeast of Lake Quinault