Lightning-sparked wildfire still 0% contained, burns 86 acres in Olympic National Park

A lightning-sparked wildfire continues burning in Olympic National Park, but firefighters are getting some help from the weather.

The fire, dubbed the Mt. Tom Creek Fire, has scorched 86 acres and remains 0% contained, despite the fire starting on Tuesday near Mount Tom Creek Basin. The fire started after multiple lightning strikes were recorded in Olympic National Park Tuesday night through early Wednesday afternoon.

Crews are using helicopters, engines, and hand crews to battle the blaze. Smoke has been reported to be visible from various locations on the Olympic Peninsula.

The rain expected through the weekend could slow the fire’s spread, but fire officials don’t believe it will be enough to extinguish it fully. Specifically, the fire area is expected to receive between 0.25 and 1.75 inches of rain by Sunday.

“The fire is burning on a steep, densely forested slope approximately five miles west-northwest of Mount Olympus,” the National Park Service stated. “The Hoh Rain Forest administrative site is approximately six miles from the fire perimeter.”

Due to the fire’s difficult location, it was deemed “not feasible” to insert firefighters directly from aircraft onto the fire line after firefighter rappellers assessed the area.

“Public and firefighter safety will remain the top priority as crews work to suppress this fire,” the National Park Service added. “The fire is far from potential aircraft landing zones and trails that could provide evacuation routes, creating challenges for firefighter safety. Additional hazards include standing snags, steep slopes, and dense vegetation.”

No evacuation orders, minimal closures due to fire

Despite the active fire, there are no evacuation orders, no damaged structures, and the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center remains open. Propane and gas stoves are also allowed.

Only the Lake of the Gods backcountry campsite is closed, as of this reporting.

A Type 3 Incident Management organization took command of the fire’s suppression on Friday.

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