BRINNON — It is “status quo” in the Heatwave Complex as five wildfires continued to smolder in Olympic National Park on Thursday.
“The cool and moist weather has really slowed down the fire activity,” said Diane Abendroth, National Park Service fire ecologist.
The lightning-sparked wildfires have burned a total of 1,148 acres in the 922,651-acre park.
No growth has been reported since Tuesday.
Fire crews have been focused on containing the eastern spread of the biggest fire — the 442-acre Constance fire — in the Dosewallips River Valley at Constance Creek. That fire started July 11.
For the most part, fires in the Heatwave Complex have been allowed to burn without human resistance for their natural benefits to the environment.
Public meeting today
A third public meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. today at the Brinnon Community Center.
Rather than focusing on firefighting operations, park officials — along with members of the Northern Rockies Southwest Area Fire Management Team — will provide information on fire behavior and its effect on the wilderness.
“We’re going to change it up a little bit,” Abendroth said.
Since the Heatwave Complex peaked at 12 active fires in late July, seven have burned out on their own.
The remaining fires in the grouping are being closely monitored. They are:
• 10 Mile fire, 379 acres. It is located in the Duckabush Valley about 15 miles from Brinnon. Fire managers say it poses no threat to the hamlet. The fire has been smoldering since June 13 and flared up about a week ago.
• Buckinghorse fire, 312 acres. It started July 29 in the upper Elwha Valley in the heart of the park in Jefferson County.
• Knife fire, 15 acres. It is near the Buckinghorse fire and began July 29.
• Solduc Fire, 0.5 acres. Clallam County’s only active wildfire began July 29 in the Seven Lakes Basin.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
