Warm, dry weather raises concern of fire spread in Olympic National Park

With warm weather forecast, fires could surge, fire officials say.

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — With warm, dry weather forecast the next couple of weeks, fire officials are closely watching four smoking wilderness fire sites in Olympic National Park.

With high temperatures forecast to be higher than normal through Aug. 25, fires that have stayed quiescent since the end of July could surge, fire officials said.

Todd Rankin, fire management officer for Olympic National Park, said Sunday he expected fire activity to pick up by the end of this week.

“With these conditions, the vegetation will dry out from the recent rain and increased fire activity is anticipated,” fire managers said Friday in a news release.

Smoke from the fires might become visible from viewpoints in the region.

On Thursday, an Olympic National Park fire manager flew over four known wilderness fire sites to monitor their condition after a week of cloud-covered skies.

All four fires are believed to have been started by lightning July 21. They were initially reported between July 25 and July 29.

The manager found no smoke from the Cox Valley Fire or the Ignar Creek Fire.

Only two sources of smoke were visible from the Godkin Fire.

The last one, the Hayes Fire, had four isolated sources of smoke.

Fire managers plan to continue to monitor the locations and activity of these fires, none of which now poses threats to people or structures.

They added that fire planners have identified specific locations around each fire where strategy changes might be considered if the fire approaches those areas.

The Hayes Fire is the largest and has consumed approximately 150 acres. The Hayes site is 20 miles south of Port Angeles on a ridge line between Lost River and the Hayes River.

The Godkin Fire has consumed an estimated 90 acres. It is located about 25 miles south of Port Angeles along the Elwha River.

The Cox Valley Fire, which was visible from Hurricane Ridge, was estimated to be about 10 acres. Cox Valley is located about 12 miles south of Port Angeles, near P.J. Lake and north of Obstruction Point Ridge.

Ignar Creek is the smallest fire and has consumed about only a half-acre. The site is about 22 miles northeast of Lake Quinault.

The four fires have consumed a total of over 250 acres so far.

More in News

A man drops off his ballot this weekend in front of the Clallam County courthouse in Port Angeles. Dropboxes across Clallam and Jefferson counties will be open until 8 p.m. tonight. Go to www.peninsuladailynews.com for initial results. Election coverage will be in Thursday’s print edition. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Election day

A man drops off his ballot this weekend in front of the… Continue reading

Clallam last of its kind in nation

County has predicted president since 1980

Bruce Skinner. (Leah Leach/for Peninsula Daily News)
Skinner earns festivals association lifetime award

Veteran music festival organizer also inducted into Hall of Fame

Hood Canal Bridge closures set Thursday night

The Hood Canal Bridge on state Highway 104 will repeatedly… Continue reading

Decoy carver Ben Tyler, left, talks about the carvings he has on display to Brian Erickson, from Juneau, Alaska, during the Port Townsend Woodworkers Show at the Legion Hall in Port Townsend on Saturday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Decoy carvings

Decoy carver Ben Tyler, left, talks about the carvings he has on… Continue reading

About two dozen witches set off on the second annual Witches Paddle from Northwest Maritime to the Pourhouse pub on Saturday, a distance of half a mile. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Witches paddle

About two dozen witches set off on the second annual Witches Paddle… Continue reading

Jefferson commissioner to speak at Studium Generale East

Jefferson County commissioner Kate Dean will present “Small Town… Continue reading

Port Angeles City Council to meet Wednesday

The Port Angeles City Council will conduct public hearings… Continue reading

Cindy, left, and Alan Turner are selling Port Book and News after 38 years in business. The store has become a fixture in Port Angeles for its thoughtful selection of books, carefully curated gifts, exceptional customer service and community-minded spirit. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Book and News for sale after nearly 40 years

Store known for its curated selection of books, magazines

Family members of Ruth McCord celebrate the dedication of a park named after their mother’s legacy on Oct. 25. The future park, located near North Seventh Avenue and West Hendrickson Road, looks to honor the late Sequim resident’s wishes to offer a place for youngsters and the elderly alike. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim dedicates a new city park

Land to offer attractions for both youth, elderly

Operations scheduled at Bentinck range this week

The land-based demolition range at Bentinck Island will be… Continue reading

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading