News Release

East Beach Road Fire Update August 1, 2020

NPS Photo Noah Linck

News Release Date: August 1, 2020

Contact: Fire Information Line, 360-565-2986

East Beach Road Fire Status:

Acres Burned: 65 acres
Cause: Human Caused
Engines: 6
Tenders:2
Helicopters: 3
Hand Crews: 9
Heavy Equipment: 1
Fallers: 2
Containment: 15%
Total personnel: 205

Incident Summary: On Wednesday July 29 at 4 pm a wildfire was discovered just north of East Beach Road near Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. The East Beach Road Fire was first reported to Olympic National Park Fire Management. The fire is burning primarily on a south facing slope in steep heavy timber with shrub understory and is being pushed uphill by terrain driven winds. Heavy smoke and isolated single tree torching may be visible in the coming days as there is a warm dry weather pattern expected for the region. The fire is suspected of being human ignited and the cause and origin are under investigation.

Current Situation: Friday the fire continued to actively burn throughout the day. The observed fire behavior was 3-5 feet flame lengths with creeping and smoldering activity on the flanks of the fire. Air resources were very active flying over the fire helping cool hot spots. Plan for today is to improve on the existing control lines that were started yesterday. On the east and west edges of the fire they are initiating hose lays. On the northern edge of the fire they are scouting access to the top of the fire to create and improve roads as potential line. Weather is expected to shift to cooler moist conditions Sunday evening into Monday.

Evacuations and Closures: East Beach Rd is closed from Hwy 101 to Log Cabin Resort. Access to East Beach Rd between Hwy 101 and Log Cabin Resort is for local residents only. Log Cabin Resort is still operating and anyone trying to gain access to Log Cabin Resort will need to take Hwy 112 to Piedmont Rd. Day use recreation sites along East Beach Road in Olympic National Park are closed to the public at this time.

Cooperating Agencies: Olympic National Park, Department of Natural Resources Olympic Region, Olympic Interagency Fire Management, Clallam County Sheriff’s Department and Emergency Services.