Three new forest fires were reported Wednesday in east Clallam and Jefferson counties as lightning moved through the area, Olympic National Forest officials said.
Meanwhile, hazy smoke above the North Olympic Peninsula has been tracked from as far away as southeast Oregon, according to a daily update on the smoldering Paradise Fire in the Queets River drainage in Olympic National Park.
Donna Nemeth, Olympic National Forest spokeswoman, said the three small fires that began Wednesday were caused by lightning.
Each is on Forest Service land.
They are:
■ Cabin Creek Fire: About 5 miles west of Brinnon and 3 miles northeast of Lena Lake.
The fire is estimated to be between 5 and 10 acres.
“It is in extremely rugged and inaccessible terrain, similar to the Paradise Fire,” Nemeth said Thursday.
■ Gold Fire: About 6 miles northwest of Quilcene off Forest Service Road 28 north of Bon Jon Pass.
Three local fire engines and Jefferson County water tenders were able to contain the fire, Nemeth said.
■ Zion Fire: On Mount Zion about 9 miles northwest of Quilcene.
Smoke jumpers were able to contain the fire Thursday, Nemeth said.
88 new fires
All told, 88 new fires began in the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday, officials said.
A recently installed sprinkler system continued to dampen lands around the Paradise Fire on Wednesday, a daily incident report said.
A state Department of Natural Resources helicopter dropped buckets of water on the 2,425-acre blaze before its crew was sent to battle the Cabin Creek Fire.
Another helicopter shuttled crews to the Paradise Fire and assisted with reconnaissance after the lightning storms.
“Scouting the area to the northwest of the [Paradise] fire perimeter will continue with the assistance of the [state] Department of Natural Resources,” the daily update from the National Park Service said.
“The helicopters will continue bucket drops and crew transports as needed. If needed, the helicopters will be made available to assist with new fires on the peninsula. Crew members will work to improve and extend the sprinkler system as more supplies arrive.”
The sprinkler system set up for the Paradise Fire continues to dampen the area to the west of Bob Creek to prevent the fire’s spread.
There were 48 personnel working the blaze Thursday.
The Paradise Fire began with a lightning strike in May and is expected to smolder until fall.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
