Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest have restricted fires and tobacco smoking as a wildfire continues to scorch national forest terrain north of Lake Cushman.
With a “high” fire danger posted for the entire Olympic Peninsula, the national forest has restricted fires to fireplaces in designated campgrounds, identified by their large entrance signs.
Fires are not allowed in the backcountry, wilderness or at campsites along forest service roads, although fuel stoves may be used.
Smoking is restricted starting tonight to vehicles, developed recreation sites and forest development roads.
In the park, campfires are restricted to fire grates in established front-country campgrounds. In the park’s coastal strip, campfires are permitted only along the beach below the high-tide line.
Backpacking stoves are allowed in the backcountry, although smokers should light up only in bare areas such as river bars, beaches, roads and clearings that are bare of vegetation and forest duff, rangers said.
People should notify authorities to report abandoned campfires or if they sight smoke:
* In the national forest, call 360-765-2223.
* In the park, call 360-565-3000.
Water drops
Meanwhile, heavy helicopters dropped 324,000 gallons of water on the Bear Gulch No. 2 fire over the weekend, slowing its spread along Staircase Road near the southeast corner of the park.
The fire has blackened 250 acres of steep terrain between Lake Cushman and Mount Rose since it started July 25.
Central Washington Area Incident Management Team 5 said the fire in steep terrain was only 30 percent contained.
Personnel from the U.S. Forest Service, Mason County Fire District No. 18, the National Park Service and the state Department of Natural Resources are fighting the flames.