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NPS/Greg Funderburk
Contact: Greg Funderburk, (541)594-3062 CRATER LAKE, OR - September is an excellent time to visit Crater Lake National Park with fewer crowds, pleasant temperatures and cool, crisp air. While visiting the park, you may notice two actively burning fires. The Caldera Fire was ignited by lightning on August 13, 2014 and is burning on the steep walls of the caldera west of Rim Village. The fire is in an inaccessible location and is confined by natural barriers limiting fire spread.Fire management officials are monitoring the incident and will take suppression action on any fire that extends beyond the confinement of the caldera. The Caldera Fire is producing intermittent smoke and is visible from most locations along the Crater Lake Rim Drive. The Founders Day Fire was discovered on August 25, 2014, the 98th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service.The fire was ignited by lightning and is located in the northeast quarter of the park on the east flank of Timber Crater. The fire is currently 16 acres and growth is anticipated due to warm, dry, and windy conditions forecast through September 15, 2014. The fire is being managed with multiple objectives including the restoration of the natural role of fire within the wilderness. The Founders Day Fire is being monitored for fire behavior, growth, and ecological effects.It is being actively managed, and strategies are in place to take suppression action if conditions warrant. The fire is visible from Highway 138 and locations along the northeast section of Crater Lake Rim Drive including Mt. Scott. The 2014 fire season has been very active in southern Oregon and within Crater Lake National Park.National Park Service fire managers have suppressed 40 lightning ignited fires within the park this summer. These fires were suppressed due to dry conditions, potential impacts from smoke, and extended fire duration and resource commitments associated with early season fires. The decision to manage the Founders Day fire for multiple objectives was based upon the fire's remote location within the interior of the park, availability of local and national resources, summer rain received over the fire area, and shorter and cooler days associated with autumn.Fall will soon bring wetting rains and intermittent snow storms signaling the end of Crater Lake's wildland fire season. There are no road or trail closures associated with the fires burning within the park.Smoke from the Caldera and Founders Day Fires is minimal and is not impacting park operations. Come visit Crater Lake National Park and embrace this opportunity to observe the natural role of wildland fire in the Cascade ecosystem! |
Last updated: February 28, 2015