News Release

Olympic National Park Fire Update- September 13

Date: September 14, 2023
Contact: Public Affairs Office, 360-565-3005

Port Angeles, Wash. – Aerial reconnaissance and ground observations today showed another day of minimal fire activity across the six wildfires burning in Olympic National Park. As such there is no significant change in the reported size of these fires. Smoke was visible in the Elwha Valley from Hurricane Ridge further towards the south end due to the Martins Lake and Low Divide Fires.  

Clearing weather allowed for two helicopter missions to be completed today. The first was a multifaceted reconnaissance flight that not only gave information to the fire crews on the ground what the conditions were like as seen from the air, but also continue coordination with the park’s facility management staff on any potential impacts to roads, trails, and other critical infrastructure from these fires now or in the future. The second mission that was completed was the successful return, known as backhaul, of the over 2,200 lbs. of fire equipment from the Hurricane Fire to make it available for the next fire.  

Additionally, fire management staff is working with the parks’ resource management and science staff on understanding and mitigating any impacts to plants, animals, and any cultural sites that may be affected by these fires. Theses specialty trained resource advisors share important information with firefighters about what makes places like Olympic National Park so unique.   

The Delabarre and Diamond Mountain fires continue to show no activity and remain at the same acreage. 
 

Fire Name	Initial Report	Estimated Size as of 9/10	Location
Hurricane	8/28/23	4 acres	2,000 ft below Hurricane Ridge parking area
Eagle Point	8/28/23	85 acres	~5 miles out Obstruction Point Road
Diamond Mountain	9/1/23	25 acres	3.3 miles NE of   Anderson Pass
Low Divide	9/1/23	60 acres	2 miles SW of Low Divide
Delabarre	9/1/23	1 acre	3 miles SE of Mount Christie
Martins Lake	9/2/23	30 acres	2 miles NE of Mount Christie

 

Fire is an integral part of the forested ecosystems on the Olympic Peninsula; plants and animals here have evolved with fire for thousands of years. Many factors such as weather, topography, and vegetation influence fire behavior and the effects that fires have on natural resources. 

Background Information 

All six active fires in Olympic National Park ignited when a series of lightning strikes occurred on the Olympic Peninsula in the afternoon on August 28. 

On August 18, Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest implemented a fire ban including charcoal fires. The move to Stage 2 fire restrictions is due to continued hot and dry conditions that are forecasted to continue at least through the end of October as dry conditions in the region persist. One less spark means one less wildfire.  

Closures   

Due to wildfire activity the following closures are in effect until further notice:  

The Skyline Trail is closed between the top of the Elip Creek Connector trail and Low Divide until further notice. This closure affects 20 miles of the Skyline Trail and includes both Three Prune and Lake Beauty wilderness campsites. Additionally, the North Fork Quinault Trail from Elip Creek trail junction to Chicago Camp is also now closed and includes the Trapper, Sixteen Mile, and Low Divide wilderness campsites. The Martins Park Trail remains closed. 

Obstruction Point Road and the trailhead will be closed until further notice.  

Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center (WIC) will be notifying backcountry permit holders who may be impacted by this closure. Any permit holders who plan to backpack in the above impacted areas should contact the WIC at 360-565-2992 or by emailing [e-mail]. 

Weather and Fire Behavior 

The middle of the week and into this weekend is forecasted to have warmer and drier weather across the fires area. Following that, another low pressure system may move into the area. This cycle of weather patterns will cause fire activity to fluctuate in response to the different temperatures, humidities, and any precipitation that falls.  
 

Information for the Eagle Point Fire can be found at: Eagle Point Fire Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov) 

Information for the Hurricane Fire can be found at: Hurricane Fire Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov) 

Olympic National Park information: www.nps.gov/olym  
Olympic National Forest information: www.fs.usda.gov/olympic 
State and county area burn bans: www.waburnbans.net    

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