OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The Mount Dana Fire deep within the wilderness of Olympic National Park had grown to 10 acres by the end of last week.
The fire burning about 21 miles south of Port Angeles was estimated to cover 2 acres on Monday. It had grown by Friday evening, park staff said after a reconnaissance flight over the area.
“There was an increase in activity on the Mount Dana Fire over the last few days due to warm dry weather,” according to a press release issued Friday.
“The fire generated considerable smoke visible from Hurricane Ridge and Obstruction Point Road within Olympic National Park.”
The weather forecast after Saturday called for an increase in precipitation and a decrease in temperature, park staff said.
Smoke from the fire may continue to be visible in the coming week depending on weather conditions, staff members said.
No trails or area closures are in effect at this time.
The fire is smoldering and creeping, with occasional torching, up the slope toward the peak of Mount Dana at about 4,400 feet in predominately sub-alpine fir trees, park staff said.
The fire in a remote area of the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness does not pose an immediate threat to human life or structures, staff said, and so the plan is “to manage the fire for resource benefit while reducing suppression cost and firefighter exposure to potentially hazardous, rugged and steep terrain.”
The webcam located at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center has been moved in the direction of Mount Dana so the public can view fire activity. It is at https://tinyurl.com/PDN-hurricaneridgecam.
The fire was reported on Aug. 31 after a series of lightning strikes on the Olympic Peninsula recorded from Aug. 28 to Aug. 31.
