News Release

Olympic National Park Fire Update- September 15

Low Divide Fire smoke was visible from Hurricane Ridge this afternoon. Hurricane Ridge remains open for visitation.

NPS Photo/M. Theune

News Release Date: September 15, 2023

Contact: Public Affairs Office, 360-565-3005

Port Angeles, Wash. – Fire activity increased on the Low Divide and Martins Lake Fires today as forecasted and was in line with what firefighters were expecting. Fire managers completed an aerial reconnaissance of all active fires today. There continues to remain no threat to critical infrastructure or communities from these fires at this time. As such, the next published update will be on Monday, September 18.  

Smoke from the Low Divide Fire is settling into the Elwha Valley at night and during the day today was observed lifting north and northeast over the mountains towards Port Angeles, Sequim, and into the Straights of Juan de Fuca. To learn more about smoke and air quality in your area, visit the free mobile-friendly website fire.airnow.gov for more information.  

Firefighters remain deployed to the Low Divide, Martins Lake, and Eagle Point Fires. The Low Divide Fire has still not crossed the North Fork Quinault River at this time. There are additional resources available if the need arises and is something that fire managers proactively plan for.  

Eagle Point Fire had minimal activity even though it appeared smokey from Hurricane Ridge. All the fire activity was confined to the interior fire footprint. However, firefighters observed standing dead trees, known as snags, coming down across the Obstruction Point Road this afternoon; further demonstrating the need to keep the road closed to visitors for the time being.  

Delabarre Fire increased in activity this afternoon. Diamond Mountain and Hurricane Fires showed no smoke today, and the Mount Queets Fire had ground fire burning in sparse vegetation.

Fire Name	Initial Report	Estimated Size as of 9/14	Location
Hurricane	8/28/23	4 acres	2,000 ft below Hurricane Ridge parking area
Eagle Point	8/28/23	122 acres	~5 miles out Obstruction Point Road
Diamond Mountain	9/1/23	30 acres	3.3 miles NE of   Anderson Pass
Low Divide	9/1/23	90 acres	2 miles SW of Low Divide
Delabarre	9/1/23	1 acre	3 miles SE of Mount Christie
Martins Lake	9/2/23	31 acres	2 miles NE of Mount Christie
Mount Queets	9/14/23	1 acre	Summit of Mount Queets

 

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

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 

Warmer temperatures and lower humidities were observed today across the fire area. This is consistent with the forecast for this weekend. Firefighters are expecting to see continued increase in activity until the next cold front comes in early next week with cooler and moister weather.  
 

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: https://ecology.wa.gov/Air-Climate/Air-quality/Smoke-fire/Burn-bans 

--NPS--