OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Prescribed burns are planned for five debris piles in Olympic National Park beginning Monday.
The Olympic Interagency Fire Management Program and park road crew have prepared for the burns in the Sol Duc, Elwha, Hoh, Mora and Quinault maintenance areas of the park, said Penny Wagner, park spokesperson.
“Road clearing operations in Olympic National Park generate large amounts of debris and pile burning is the most convenient and cost-effective method of disposal,” Wagner said.
Smoke will be visible at times from nearby trails and roadways while the burns are in progress, she said.
Signage will be used to notify the public. Smoke impacts are expected to be minimal, Wagner said, but cautioned that it is impossible to predict weather patterns and smoke behavior.
The locations of the prescribed burns have experienced weeks of cool and cloudy weather with significant precipitation, she added, and fire management personnel have no concerns about fires escaping.
No area closures are anticipated at this time, Wagner said.
