OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Low humidity and high temperatures on Saturday fed a lightning-caused fire in the Queets River valley, pushing it over 1,000 acres.
The Paradise Fire burning deep in the Olympic Mountains is only 5 percent contained and could burn for months, said Donna Nemeth, Olympic National Forest public affairs officer.
The smoldering fire is in Olympic National Park on the floodplain and hillsides north of the Queets River valley near Paradise Creek, about 13 miles northeast of Quinault.
It is burning into the wilderness away from habitations.
“No communities are threatened,” Nemeth noted.
On Saturday, firefighters battled increased fire activity, with smoke visible at several places throughout the North Olympic Peninsula.
“Right around noon, things began to pick up, but the crews were holding it along the river… and that is really their primary task – keeping it north of the Queets River,” Nemeth said.
“At this point the fire is moving in the direction that they want it to go, which is up towards the wilderness.”
The fire is burning north-northeast up toward the rocky top of Pelton Peak and eastward over Pelton Ridge.
At lower elevations, the fire is being carried along by lichens, which are extremely dry for this time of year.
About 78 firefighters were on the ground Saturday to corral the fire to areas where it will burn out, and prevent it from spreading to new areas lacking natural fire barriers, Nemeth said.
The fire is expected to continue expanding today — in the direction of more wilderness, she added.
“Eventually it will run into natural barriers which will stop it, such as rock faces and areas where the fuels are not as heavy as in the rainforest,” Nemeth said.
Increased temperatures and low relative humidity combined with unstable air masses and possible dry lightning could push the fire to spread and raise the potential for new fires to start, fire managers said.
The area, which experienced its driest spring in 120 years, is ripe for fire, experts said.
“Through the weekend, we are anticipating continued high temperatures, and potential for some lightning,” Nemeth said.
“With that in mind, they are gearing up for potential new starts from the lightning strikes and increased activity on the Paradise Fire.”
When humidity drops to 40 percent or below, “general activity begins to pick up,” Nemeth said. “The fallen logs will start burning.”
A red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service is expected to be in force through tonight.
“A red flag warning means that there is high and sustained winds,” which have the potential to stoke the flames and push them into new areas, Nemeth said.
Olympic National Park has instituted a ban on open fires in the park’s wilderness back country, including all locations along the coast.
Campfires are permitted only in established fire grates at established front country campgrounds.
The burn restriction will remain in place until further notice.
Camp stoves may still be used in the park’s wilderness back country, but should be operated well away from flammable vegetation and forest litter.
Because of the extreme conditions on the Peninsula, Olympic National Forest also has implemented fire restrictions.
Burn bans are in effect in Clallam and Jefferson counties and on state Department of Natural Resources land. The city of Forks also imposed a burn ban.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
