OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The fire in the Queets River valley, a smoldering, smoky and slow-moving blaze for the past week, slowed a little bit this morning after flaring up late Sunday.
The smoldering fire in Olympic National Park is thought to have to grown by 200 acres in a day, but has calmed with lower morning temperatures.
The increased fire activity is limited to the afternoon and evening hours, said Diane Avendrop, spokeswoman for the federal team assigned to the wildfire that has been called the Paradise Fire.
The lightning-caused blaze started near the confluence of Paradise Creek and the Queets River in Jefferson County, 13 miles northeast of Quinault, earlier this month.
“The fire has been picking up in the late afternoon and evening on days with warm and dry weather. Most of the growth happens then,” Avendrop said this afternoon.
All fire activity remains on the north side of the Queets River, while the west fire line continues to hold, she said.
The fire was officially listed by fire officials at 407 acres on Sunday morning, and grew to an estimated 600 acres by Monday morning.
[Reporting by Arwyn Rice, Peninsula Daily News]
Here is a statement issued this morning by the fire information officer:
The Paradise Fire became active late Sunday afternoon with the arrival of a warm, dry, unstable air mass. Strong, up-valley winds caused short range spotting and kept the flames moving through the tree canopies until late night hours. The relative humidity level in the rain forest was approximately 30% last night; typically, it ranges from 50% to 60% at this time of the year. The fire moved to the east/northeast, in thick vegetation. Dry lichens high in the tree tops are carrying the flames in extremely steep, inaccessible terrain.
The Paradise Fire remains on the north side of the Queets River and the west side is holding, but its exact size is not known. There is too much smoke to get a precise measure this morning. An infrared flight will be conducted tonight, which will allow more accurate mapping of the fire area. It is important to note that the fire is burning in a very remote area; it is not threatening any life or property.
Every effort has been made to stop the fire’s spread, and crews will continue suppression activities when it is safe to do so in areas that are accessible. But in much of the active areas, options are limited. Rolling rocks, falling snags and unstable burning material make it impossible for firefighters to build direct line at this time.
Continued warm temperatures and low humidity are expected through this week, and the fire will likely increase in size and complexity. A National Incident Management Organization has been ordered. This highly qualified team consists of seven people including the incident commander, fire behavior analyst, public information officer and specialists in operations, planning and finance.
Current resources include 18 firefighters and two helicopters. The helicopters are using bucket drops to slow the fire’s spread in the drainages. A portable water tank has been set up along the Queets River for helicopters to dip from, so they are not filling buckets directly out of the Queets River.
A public meeting will be held tonight, June 22, from 7-8 p.m. in the Vern Burton Community Center meeting rooms, 308 E. Fourth St., Port angeles. Fire managers will share maps and photos of the fire area and provide an update of the fire activity.
A second public meeting will be held in the Forks area Tuesday night, June 23, from 6-7 p.m. The location will be reported in tomorrow’s update.
