Heatwave Complex Progressing Naturally; Public Open House Planned for Frida
Incident: Heatwave Complex Wildfire
Released: 8/25/2009
Interagency News Release
For Immediate Release
9:00 a.m. Aug 25, 2009
Michelle Fidler 360-565-3124
Heatwave Complex Progressing Naturally; Public Open House Planned for Friday Evening in Brinnon
Five fires within the Heatwave Complex remain active, burning in the remote wilderness of Olympic National Park.. "Fire activity and smoke has increased with warmer, drier weather as expected," said Incident Commander Todd Rankin. "These fires are moving slowly across the landscape where they are benefitting the ecosystem," he emphasized.
To learn more about these fires and hear updated information about them, the public is invited to stop by the Brinnon Fire Department on Friday, August 28, between 6 and 8 p.m. where Heatwave
Complex fire managers will be available to answer questions and will have updated photos and video on display.
The fires of the Heatwave Complex are creating a mosaic of burned and unburned vegetation across the landscape. The majority of fire activity and smoke occur along the perimeter or edge of the fire, which can sometimes vary from a few hundred feet to several acres in size.
Yesterday the 628 acre Ten Mile fire put up a visible column of smoke as the fire burned an interior pocket of fuels within the eastern half of the fire. Firefighters are monitoring the fire which continues to smolder and creep. Approximately 20% of the fire's perimeter is active.
The 438 acre Constance fire is still active, but fire activity has been minimal. Firefighters are monitoring the fire, mopping up hot areas on the east side, and clearing trees off the Dosewallips Road/Trail. Approximately 5% of the perimeter is active.
Increased smoke was observed on the west flank of the 140 acre Knife fire during an overflight on August 24. The 324 acre Buckinghorse Fire has been showing minimal smoke. Visible smoke was reported August 23 on the 4 acre Sol Duc fire, which has also experienced minimal perimeter growth.
Fire managers expect these fires may remain active into September, but shorter days will reduce the potential for large fire growth. A few additional periods of increased fire activity are probable, and some interior pockets of vegetation will continue to smolder until the area receives enough precipitation to extinguish the fires completely, typically by mid-October.
The Heatwave Complex is comprised of twelve lighting-ignited fires discovered in Olympic National Park since June, seven of which are inactive. Naturally caused wildfires have occurred in the Olympic Peninsula for thousands of years, and are an integral part of the area's ecosystem. Evidence of past wildland fire is found throughout the park in fire scars on trees and the mosaic of forest patterns.
A backcountry fire ban and backcountry trail closures remain in effect. For current backcountry conditions, please contact the park's Wilderness Information Center (360-565-3100). For additional fire information, maps, and photos, please call (360) 565-3124 or (360) 565-2975 (recorded message) or visit http://www.inciweb.org/.
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