News Release

East Beach Road Fire Update August 2, 2020

Firefighters are dealing with a number of hazards including large rolling debris displaced

News Release Date: August 2, 2020

Contact: Fire Information Line, 360-565-2986 (7am-10pm)

East Beach Road Fire Status:

Acres Burned: 84 acres
Cause: Human Caused Under Investigation
Engines: 9
Tenders: 2
Helicopters: 3
Hand Crews: 8
Heavy Equipment: 2
Fallers: 6
Containment: 15%
Total personnel: 225


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: Saturday the fire continued to be active. With the return of lower temperatures the fire behavior started to moderate and firefighters were able to make good progress on the fire line. Firefighters were able to put in lines on the eastern and western edges of the fire. There are portions of the fire located in steep and hazardous terrain making direct attack unsafe for fighters. The team is looking at options on best ways to mitigate the spread of fire in those areas. Today firefighters will continue fire line construction to minimize fire growth.

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.