News Release

Olympic National Park Fire Update- September 16

Date: September 16, 2023
Contact: Public Affairs Office, 360-565-3005

Port Angeles, Wash. – The fires in Olympic National Park have increased in size and complexity over the last 24 hours; fire managers and are ordering additional resources to manage and support firefighters on the ground. A Type 3 incident management organization will be established to manage these lightning caused fires.  

Warm temperatures and low relative humidity levels greatly increased fire activity on the Delabarre Fire. After low fire activity for the last several days, it grew significantly in size. Acreage estimates are between 400 and 500 acres, but a more accurate size will be known after infrared mapping flights take place tomorrow. There continues to remain no threat to critical infrastructure or communities from these fires at this time, but additional trail closures are now in place: 

• Elwha River Trail from Elkhorn to Low Divide 

• Hayden Pass Trail 

• Dosewallips River Trail from Dose Meadows to Hayden Pass 

• Dodger Point Way Trail 

The Delabarre Fire started from a lightning strike in the Delabarre Creek drainage and burned to the northeast over the ridge and into the Buckinghorse Creek drainage. It continues burning to the northeast.  

Increased smoke from fires burning in Olympic National Park was seen throughout the north Olympic Peninsula region. Winds from the south blew smoke from the Delabarre Fire into the region early Saturday morning. Ash was seen in the Deer Park and Lost Mountain Road areas.  

Fire Name	Initial Report	Estimated Size as of 9/16	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	Estimated 400-500 acres	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:  

• Elwha River Trail from Elkhorn to Low Divide 

• Hayden Pass Trail 

• Dosewallips River Trail from Dose Meadows to Hayden Pass 

• Dodger Point Way Trail 

• North Fork Quinault Trail from Elip Creek trail junction to Low Divide 

• Skyline Trail from Elip Creek Trail junction to Low Divide  

• Martin Park Trail 

• Obstruction Point Road and Trailhead  

Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center (WIC) will be notifying backcountry permit holders who may be impacted by these closures. 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 

High pressure aloft will move away from the region today, but the fire sites will still feel its effects with another day of warm and dry conditions. Relative humidity values will remain slightly above critical thresholds, although the potential for active fire behavior remains high. Onshore flow will increase tonight along with clouds associated with an incoming front. This will not make much of an impact on overnight relative humidity recoveries, but its effects will be felt throughout the day Sunday. There is potential for showers Sunday night into Monday. 

Information for the Eagle Point Fire can be found at: Eagle Point 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--