A National Weather Service red-flag warning for extreme fire danger, implemented Monday the eastern Olympics to Hurricane Ridge, was widened westward today as lightning was forecast across Western Washington and extended to 11 p.m.
The warning “for scattered to abundant lightning” originally was expected to last through 5 p.m. today, the National Weather Service in Seattle said this afternoon.
The Weather Service warning stressed the mountains above Quilcene and Brinnon reaching past Forks and northwest toward Clallam Bay-Sekiu.
Olympic National Park staff were working to monitor this afternoon a single reported fire in the Appleton Pass area of the park that was likely caused by lightning but was not high risk, a park spokeswoman said.
Park staff received a single report of smoke in the high backcountry of the Appleton Pass area, between the Sol Duc and Elwha river drainages, this morning, park spokeswoman Rainey McKenna said.
Park staff have limited information on the fire, she said, but think it’s relatively small based on the amount of smoke.
“It’s in a high remote location of the park, so it’s not a high-risk fire,” McKenna said.
“We’re not worried about it endangering any surrounding communities or infrastructure.”
Park spokeswoman Barb Maynes said park staff are hoping in the next few days to fly over the area in a plane learn more about the fire, when weather permits.
Earlier today, park staff had discovered and put out a 5-foot-by-5-foot brush fire along Hurricane Ridge Road between Mileposts 13 and 14, McKenna said.
This small fire, about a quarter-mile above the road, also was likely caused by lightning, McKenna said.
A wildfire near Skokomish in Mason County has grown to nearly 300 acres, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. The fire is on the edge of Olympic National Forest.
A red-flag warning means that critical weather conditions exist or are expected to develop in the near future.
The conditions can be caused by a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures.
Thunderstorms were still expected to be widespread in the region today, said Johnny Burg, a Weather Service meteorologist in Seattle.
“There could be some overnight, but Sequim and Port Angeles will likely get them Tuesday during the day,” Burg told the Peninsula Daily News on Monday.
The red-flag warning area covers most of Washington and Oregon and a large portion of Northern California.
“Lightning in dry fuels can cause multiple fire starts. Given the recent stretch of hot and dry conditions, any fires that develop could spread rapidly,” the Weather Service said in a statement accompanying the red-flag warning.
Clallam County expanded its burn ban Monday to prohibit all recreational fires, except within Olympic National Park and other controlled campgrounds.
Sheila Roark Miller, Clallam community development director who also serves as county fire marshal, said any illegal burning will result in property owner liability for all fire-suppression costs, fines and fees, including prosecution.
Residents also are urged to maintain a 30-foot defensible space around structures.
In Jefferson County, a burn ban for trash or other open fires has been in effect since July 1.
Recreational fires also are banned, at least today, said Bill Beezley, spokesman for East Jefferson Fire-Rescue. The situation will be evaluated daily, he said.
Olympic National Park
As of Monday, there were no special fire restrictions in Olympic National Park.
Campfires inside designated fire rings at established campgrounds will continue to be allowed in the park.
If conditions continue to be dry, restrictions may be added later this week, said McKenna.
The state Department of Natural Resources expanded its existing burn ban Monday to include all open-flame sources on all DNR lands.
The DNR burn ban will remain in place through Sept. 30.
All outdoor burning on DNR-protected lands is prohibited under the ban, including recreational fires in campgrounds or anywhere on DNR lands.
Fireworks and incendiary devices, such as exploding targets, sky lanterns, or tracer ammunition, are illegal, the agency said in a statement Monday.
Charcoal briquettes also are not allowed. The use of gas or propane barbecues and self-contained stoves are allowed.
Olympic National Forest
There were no current burn bans in Olympic National Forest as of Monday, said Lisa Romano, spokeswoman.
“The Forest Service is not yet considering bans or restrictions yet,” she said.
However, changing conditions may lead to restrictions or bans later, Romano said.
Sequim-based Clallam County Fire District No. 3 responded to three small brush fires over the weekend.
District 3 spokesman Patrick Young said the fires were symptomatic of increasing wildfire danger.
All three fires were quickly contained and extinguished by firefighters, Young said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
