Single Publication

For Immediate Release

Contact: Public Affairs Office, Olympic_PAO@nps.gov, 360-565-3005

Hurricane Ridge Road Will Reopen Following Recent Fire Activity

Fire suppression efforts, aided by recent rain and cooler weather, will allow the park to reopen the Hurricane Ridge Road and Obstruction Point Road to all traffic on Saturday, September 2. The fire grew an acre overnight but continues to smolder and remain manageable. However, if dry conditions persist or fire activity increases, the area may need to be closed again to support fire suppression efforts.

PJ Lake Trail on Obstruction Point Road will be closed to allow for water extraction by helicopter.

Firefighters were able to mitigate some of the standing burning trees and several buckets of water were dropped on the western edge of the fire to help prevent further spreading. 4,000 feet of hose has been laid to help suppression efforts.

The Hurricane Fire is located in steep and rugged terrain. Other challenges firefighters face include falling rocks and rolling debris. Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority on the Hurricane Fire. The Hurricane Fire is under a full suppression strategy and is currently being worked by a Type 2 initial attack hand crew, a Type 2 helicopter, a contracted tender, and Olympic Fire Program staff.

The Hurricane Fire was ignited on the afternoon of August 28, when a series of lightning strikes occurred on the Olympic Peninsula. There are currently 30 personnel assisting with suppression efforts.

Clear skies allowed for a reconnaissance flight on Friday; three other fires were located in Olympic National Park: Diamond Mountain Fire, Low Divide Fire, and Delabarre Fire. These three fires, along with the Eagle Point Fire, will be closely monitored, and suppression efforts will be taken if warranted.

Hurricane 

Initial Report - 8/28/23

Estimated Size - 4 acres

Location - 2,000 ft below Hurricane Ridge parking area

Eagle Point 

Initial Report - 8/28/23

Estimated Size - 1 acre

Location - Obstruction Point area

Diamond Mountain  

Initial Report - 9/1/23

Estimated Size - 20 acres

Location - 3.3 miles NE of Anderson Pass

Low Divide 

Initial Report - 9/1/23

Estimated Size - 2-5 acres

Location - N. Fork Quinault drainage

Delebarre 

Initial Report - 9/1/23

Estimated Size - .1 acres

​​​​​​​Location - 3 miles SE 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.

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.  

Closures  

PJ Lake Trail on Obstruction Point Road will be closed to allow for water extraction by helicopter.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Friday and Saturday will feature a return to near normal temperatures as an upper-level ridge settles into the area. Highs will be in the 70s. Relative humidities will dip somewhat but are not going to approach critical conditions. Winds will be light out of the north to northeast.

By Sunday morning, another system moves into the area and ushers in another week of cooler, cloudier and more showery weather.

Smoke from the Hurricane and Eagle Point Fires may be visible depending on weather conditions.  

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

National Interagency Fire Center: https://www.nifc.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   

 --NPS--