OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The smoky fire in the southwest portion of Olympic National Park has jumped the Queets River and was burning on the south side, an incident report issued this morning said.
“The eastern end of the fire flared up after having been relatively quiet the last few days, burning until after 9 p.m. [Saturday],” the report said. “Late in the afternoon, fire was spotted south of the Queets River.”
“While air support was hampered by smoky conditions, firefighters were able to get hose and pumps around the three spots and will continue to focus on that area. Today is expected to bring deteriorating fire weather conditions before things moderate on Monday.”
Earlier report:
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The Paradise Fire continued growing slowly Saturday on the slope of Pelton Peak as fire crews held it north of the Queets River.
Hot, dry weather — with humidity measured at 31 percent — had helped feed the fire as it consumed an estimated 1,240 acres as of late Friday.
Besides flames on the mountain, it smoldered in duff on the rain forest floor along Paradise Creek.
Higher temperatures and continued low humidity that are forecast for today fanned concern that it could accelerate.
The outlook for today’s weather called for clear skies, 38 percent humidity, gusty eastern winds 8 to 10 mph, and temperatures in the 70s and 80s.
Conditions were expected to continue due to an unstable upper-level air mass, the forecast said.
It said conditions were dangerous for wildfires above 2,000 feet.
The Paradise Fire, which began at about 700 feet with a lightning strike May 15, had climbed above 3,000 feet on the 5,301-foot mountain by Wednesday.
Although the Paradise Fire was estimated to be 21 percent contained Saturday, full containment was not an objective for the 104 members of the fire crews.
Instead, firefighters hope to confine the blaze within park boundaries and stop its spread southward and westward.
It will be allowed to run its course to the north and east as a natural phenomenon of the park’s ecosystem until it reaches a natural barrier.
When it reaches such a point, “tactical action will be considered,” according to a National Park Service update.
That might not occur until the end of September, according to the Incident Information System.
Meanwhile, the fire continues through duff and downed timber, climbing along lichen on tree trunks into the forest canopy.
Late last week, visitors to Hurricane Ridge and residents of western Jefferson County could see smoke from the fire.
For more information and to track the fire, see http://inciweb.nwcg.gov or visit the Paradise Fire Facebook page.
