Warming and Drying May Increase Heatwave Complex Fire Activity This Week
Incident: Heatwave Complex Wildfire
Released: 8/17/2009
Interagency News Release
For Immediate Release
6:00 p.m. Aug 17, 2009
Michelle Fidler 360-565-3124
Warming and Drying May Increase Fire Activity This Week
Fire managers anticipate that fire activity and smoke from the Heatwave Complex fires may increase during the warm, dry weather predicted for the next few days.
"Fire activity ebbs and flows depending on how dry it is, the type of vegetation the fire is burning in, and how steep the landscape is," said Incident Commander Todd Rankin. "These fires may continue until they burn themselves out naturally or they are extinguished by heavy precipitation," he added.
The long-term forecast indicates that fire activity is likely to decrease again later this week. Additional periods of increased fire activity are probable before the area receives enough precipitation to extinguish the fires completely, typically by mid-October.
Of the twelve lighting-ignited fires of the Heatwave Complex discovered in Olympic National Park since June, five continue to actively burn. Fire activity has been minimal over the past week with cooler temperatures, higher humidity levels, and varying amounts of precipitation falling on the fires.
The Constance fire (438 acres) has shown little growth since last week.
The 10 mile fire (492 acres) was still showing numerous areas of smoke when fire managers last flew over the fire on August 14.
The Buckinghorse fire (324 acres) and the Knife Fire (140 acres) have each shown minimal fire activity.
No smoke has been observed on the Solduc fire (4 acres) since last week.
Seven additional fires remain inactive.
The Heatwave Complex fires are located in remote areas of Olympic National Park and pose no immediate threat to life, safety, and property. "We will continue to monitor these fires, and are prepared to take actions as needed, where we can do so safely and effectively," Rankin emphasized.
Fire managers in Olympic National Park are managing the Heatwave Complex fires for resource benefits. As they burn, these naturally occurring and slow-moving fires are creating a healthy mosaic of burned and unburned forest. Wildlife will benefit from increased habitat diversity. The current fires are also creating natural fuel breaks which will help moderate the intensity and slow the spread of larger, more intense wildfires in the future.
Campfires are currently prohibited in the park, except for campfires in permanent fire grates in the park's established frontcountry (road accessible) campgrounds and below the high tide line on the coast. Portable gas stoves are permitted.
The Dosewallips Road/Trail is CLOSED at the Olympic National Forest's Elkhorn Campground due to the Constance Fire because the fire is releasing burning logs and debris downslope onto the road/trail. This closure includes the Lake Constance Trail, The Main Fork Dosewallips to Greywolf Pass Junction, West Fork Dosewallips to Honeymoon Meadows, and Constance Pass/Home Lake access from Boulder Shelter Camp (USFS) on the Upper Dungeness.
The Duckabush Trail is CLOSED from the trailhead to the LaCrosse Pass junction due to the Tenmile Fire.
These trail closures are likely to be in effect for several weeks or longer. For current trail conditions, please contact the park's Wilderness Information Center (360-565-3100). For additional fire information, maps, and photos, please visit www.inciweb.org.
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