Port Angeles, Wash. - After dry conditions yesterday and today, the Eagle Point Fire grew significantly this afternoon. It is estimated to be 50 acres in size, but after mapping, a more accurate size will be determined. Due to the significant growth of this fire, the Obstruction Point Road will be closed to all traffic. Eagle Point Fire is located about five miles out Obstruction Point Road. The fire is being managed by two helicopters and three fire engines. Type 1 and Type 2 helicopters have dropped buckets of water near the top of the fire to help prevent the fire from crossing over the top of the ridge to the north.
The Hurricane Fire has little to no change and Hurricane Ridge Road will remain open to the public. Some resources from the Hurricane Fire will be reassigned to the Eagle Point Fire.
Firefighters face challenges such as steep and rugged terrain as well as falling rocks and rolling debris. The Hurricane Fire is under a full suppression strategy and is currently being worked by a Type 2 initial attack hand crew, a Type 2 helicopter, a contracted tender, and Olympic Fire Program staff. Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority on the Hurricane Fire and Eagle Point Fire.
A small fire near Martins Lake was spotted during a reconnaissance flight by fire personnel. It is estimated to be.1 acres in size and will only be monitored.
The Diamond Mountain, Low Divide, Delabarre, and Martins Lake Fires saw little change and will continue to be monitored by fire personnel. No suppression actions will be taken at this time.
Fire is an integral part of the forested ecosystems on the Olympic Peninsula; plants and animals here have evolved with fire for thousands of years. Many factors such as weather, topography, and vegetation influence fire behavior and the effects that fires have on natural resources.
Background Information
All six active fires in Olympic National Park ignited when a series of lightning strikes occurred on the Olympic Peninsula.
On Aug. 18, Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest implemented a fire ban including charcoal fires. The move to Stage 2 fire restrictions is due to continued hot and dry conditions that are forecasted to continue at least through the end of October as dry conditions in the region persist.
Closures
Obstruction Point Road and the trailhead will be closed until further notice. Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center (WIC) will be notifying backcountry permit holders who may be impacted by this closure. Any permit holders who plan to backpack via the Obstruction Point Trailhead should contact the WIC at 360-565-3100 or https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wic.htm.
PJ Lake Trail on Obstruction Point Road will be closed to allow for water extraction by helicopter.
Weather and Fire Behavior
Saturday featured sunny and dry weather with temperatures in the 70s. Winds remained calm. Sunday’s forecast calls for 30% chance of showers and partly sunny skies. Temperatures in the 50s. The following days show a cooling trend with little precipitation.
Smoke from the Hurricane and Eagle Point Fires may be visible depending on weather conditions.
Information for the Hurricane Fire can be found at: Hurricane Fire Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov)
National Interagency Fire Center: https://www.nifc.gov
Olympic National Park information: www.nps.gov/olym
Olympic National Forest information: www.fs.usda.gov/olympic
State and county area burn bans: www.waburnbans.net
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service