NPS/Robb

Smoke from the 2006 Carbon Copy fire.

Fire has shaped Mount Rainier's landscape for thousands of years, and is important for the survival of many plants and animals. Naturally ignited wildland fires are beneficial to the park ecosystem, removing dead wood accumulation and recycling nutrients back into the soil. Most fires at Mount Rainier are suppressed but the park Fire Management Plan allows select fires to be managed to benefit the park's ecosystem.

The park's primary fire management goal is to return fire as a natural ecosystem process. Equally important are protecting life and property. The safety of firefighters and the public is always the highest priority during any firefighting activity.

In-depth information on fire management in the park is available in the Mount Rainier National Park Fire Management Plan.

2009 Wildland Fire News

Lightning cells moved through the park on July 28th and 29th, striking 94 different locations throughout the park in a 23 hour period. Of the confirmed strikes, 23 ignitions have been identified. Many are in remote locations, are single trees or have died out on their own. Only one, the Grand Park Fire, has grown to any size at 20 acres. There is no immediate threat to life or property.

Fire Location Maps & Photos

Air Photo - North Aerial photograph identifying locations of confirmed strikes on the north side of the park.
Topo Map - North Topographic map identifying locations of confirmed strikes on the north side of the park.
Air Photo - South Aerial photograph identifying locations of confirmed strikes on the south side of the park.

Grand Park Fire
Burning 0.5 miles northwest of Grand Park at 5280' elevation on a west facing slope.

August 6, 2009 Status
Current size: 20 acres
Activity and threats: On August 9th, this fire will go into monitor status. Park fire managers will continue monitoring through the remainder of the season. This is the final update unless there is a significant change in the fire status.

August 5, 2009 Status
Current size: 20 acres
Activity and threats: Crews are monitoring the fire for slopovers and spot fires. Downsizing of crews begins today, reducing the number of firefighters to 14 from 25. The Type 3 Hughes 500 helicopter is being replaced by a Type 2 Bell 206B3. The park continues to monitor the three small fires burning at various backcountry locations. 

August 4, 2009 Status
Current size: 20 acres
Activity and threats: Creeping and smoldering. Crews continue line construction and begin mop-up efforts today. Forecasted weather is 69-73 degrees, 29-33% humidity, and winds W to SW 4-7 mph. The park is monitoring three small fires burning at various backcountry locations around the park.

August 3, 2009 Status
Current size: 20 acres
Activity and threats: Creeping and smoldering. Approximately 70% contained. Forecasted weather calls for a high of 77 degrees and 30% humidity. Winds W/10-12 mph. There are 15 smoke jumpers, 10 park firefighters and 10 overhead assigned. A Type 3 Hughes 500 helicopter is also assigned.

August 1, 2009 Status
Current size: 6-10 acres
Activity and threats: Mostly creeping and smoldering with some torching and small uphill runs. The park is currently under a red flag warning with possible lightning activity expected late in the day. Weather is hot and dry. A squad of smoke jumpers is assigned to this fire. Additional resources have been ordered to assist with suppression efforts. Today the decision was made to suppress the fire due to the high probability to spread outside of the park.

Contact the Fire Information Officer for more information.