Heatwave Complex
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA
Wildfire

Started on or about
07/30/2009

Status as of
10/12/2009

Cause
Natural

Location
(WA)

Acreage Treated
Constance fire (July 11) - 443 acres; 10 mile fire (June 13) - 770 acres; Buckinghorse fire (July 29) - 330 acres; Knife Fire (July 29) - 170 acres; Solduc fire (July 29) - 6 acres; Dose (July 11) - 0.1 acre; Second Column (July 11) - 0.1 acre; Five Ridge (July 28) - 0.1 acre; Morganroth (July 29) - 0.1 Acre; Long (July 29) - 0.1 Acres; Wilder One (July 29) - 0.1 Acres; Wilder Two (July 29) - 0.1 Acres

Resources Committed
Mimimal Olympic Fire management staff and crews assigned, varies from 2-8 personnel

Estimated Containment Date
the end of 2009 Fire Season, usually mid October

Park Status
The park remains open. Two trail closures are in place: the Dosewallips Road is CLOSED at the Olympic National Forest's Elkhorn Campground to the Dosewallips Trail at Dose Forks, 1 mile west of Dose Ranger Station due to the Constance Fire. The Duckabush Trail is CLOSED from LaCrosse Pass junction to the park boundary due to the Ten Mile Fire.

Updates on Fire
An aerial reconnaisance flight conducted on October 10 detected fire activity on the Buckinghorse, Constance, and 10 Mile fires. Fire activity consisted of surface fire in areas of heavy timber. Increased acitivity was observed on the Constance fire as the fire burned along a ridgeline between Constance Creek and Bull Elk Creek. Wind/slope alignment was causing increased fire activity with the potential for short, upslope runs. Minimal growth is expected due to natural barriers bordering the fire area. Cool but dry weather is expected through October 12 then a change to wet weather is expected. Fire activity is expected to decrease at that time.

Overview
The Heatwave Complex is comprised of twelve lighting-ignited wildland fires that started in June and July 2009.

Last 24-hour Activity
Cool, dry weather with light east winds has allowed the three of the fires to continue smoldering and creeping in heavy surface fuels. Increased fire activity with occassional single tree torching was observed on the Constance fire.

Strategy
Given the remote locations of these fires, steep terrain conditions, and habitat management goals, fire managers will continue to monitor these fires as they progress naturally, and are prepared to take actions as needed where they can do so safely and effectively. Fire managers are confining the east side of the Constance fire to prevent additional fire growth on the Olympic National Forest and surrounding private land.

Vegetation Affected
These fires are burning in a variety of vegetation. The Constance Fire and 10-Mile Fire are in Douglas-fir and mountain hemlock forests, with a mixed understory. The Buckinghorse Fire and Knife Fire are mostly in sub-alpine fir forests.

Benefits of the Burn
Naturally caused wildfires have occurred in the Olympic Peninsula for thousands of years, and are an integral part of the area’s ecosystem. Evidence of past wildland fire is found throughout the park in fire scars on trees and the mosaic of forest patterns. As they burn, these naturally occurring and slow-moving fires are creating a healthy mosaic of burned and unburned forest. Wildlife will benefit from increased habitat diversity. The current fires are also creating natural fuel breaks which will help moderate the intensity and slow the spread of larger, more intense wildfires in the future.

Partners Involved
Olympic National Forest, Brinnon Fire Department

Additional Information
Visit the Incident Website

Contact Information
Todd Rankin
Phone Number: 360-565-3122
Todd_Rankin@nps.gov