OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Lightning striking in two wilderness areas have ignited fires within Olympic National Park.
The fires are in the upper Duckabush and Dosewallips River valleys in the eastern portion of Olympic National Park, a news release from the park said.
The trail to Lake Constance, which is about 2 miles northeast of the end of the Dosewallips Road, is closed because of the fires, the National Park said.
The fires — one of about 10 acres and the other about 1 acre — are deep within the park’s designated wilderness areas, the National Park said.
“These fires were ignited by early season thunderstorms and are a natural part of the Olympic ecosystem,” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin.
“Considering their size, extremely steep surroundings and location well within park and wilderness boundaries, we are managing these fires for resource benefit through confinement and continued monitoring.”
Hot and dry weather conditions have caused concern for those monitoring fires, said Bill Sanders, who monitors fire danger conditions throughout the North Olympic Peninsula for the Department of Natural Resources.
He said the next week is expected to pose fire danger. Although the risk remains moderate, he re-evaluates the rating every day.
A moderate rating means that a burn ban is in effect in both Clallam and Jefferson counties.
No fire larger than 3-by-3 feet may be started. Campfires may still be started in designated areas at campgrounds.
Lightning storms June 13 and July 11 resulted in more than 30 lightning strikes within the park, with four fires known to be ignited, a Parks Service spokesperson said.
Two of the fires are believed to have gone out, while the other two are still raging.
The Constance fire in the upper Dosewallips drainage, involving about 10 acres, was ignited by a lightning strike July 11, the spokesperson said.
Because it is in a remote location and difficult to reach, park firefighters are working to contain it by using existing barriers, such as rock outcrops, trails and ridge tops, which serve as natural firebreaks.
The smoke column is visible from the Silverdale area. A webcam of the smoke can be viewed at www.drdale.com.
The fire in the upper Duckabush Valley was ignited when lightning struck an old growth tree June 13.
It was about 1 acre and is being monitored, the spokesperson said.
Naturally occurring fires create a patchwork of different forest types and provide a mosaic of habitats for a wide variety of plants and animals, the spokesperson said.
