News Release

East Beach Road Fire Update August 4, 2020

As firefighters begin mop up, a hose system is laid within the fire line to assist with direct suppression of fire activity.

News Release Date: August 4, 2020

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

East Beach Road Fire Status:

Acres Burned: 84 acres
Cause: Human Caused
Engines: 3
Tenders: 0
Helicopters: 0 assigned but available locally
Hand Crews: 5
Heavy Equipment: 0
Fallers: 2
Containment: 65%
Total personnel: 175 (with anticipated reduction in crews throughout the day)

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. Smoke may be visible in the weeks to come as the fire continues to smolder and creep in areas too hazardous for fire personnel to work in. The fire is suspected of being human ignited and the cause and origin are still under investigation.

Current Situation: Firefighters continue to manage the fire with hose systems allowing direct water delivery to hot spots. Fire personnel will work to widen and improve existing fire line. Monday brought cool and misty weather patterns to the region, the minimal rainfall did not extinguish the fire. Due to continued rolling debris and hazardous work areas, smoldering and creeping of fire activity is expected to continue over the next few weeks. Inversion layers and shifting wind patterns may push smoke into areas surrounding the fire. Operations begin to reduce personnel as containment percentages increase on the fire.

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.