Bear Gulch Fire near Lake Cushman grows to more than 5,700 acres, 3% Contained
Aug 12, 2025, 1:17 PM | Updated: 1:46 pm
A photo of the Bear Gulch Fire in the Olympic National Park. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
The Bear Gulch Fire near Lake Cushman has grown to 5,776 acres and is only 3% contained as of 10:16 a.m. Tuesday, officials confirmed.
Warmer temperatures and dry weather have contributed to the increased fire activity and smoke production in the past 24 hours.
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Level 3 evacuations for Bear Gulch Fire
The Bear Gulch Fire area near Dry Creek Trail is under a Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuation order.
The evacuation order includes the Staircase Campground and areas across the causeway on the north side of Lake Cushman.
A Level 2 “BE SET” evacuation notice has also been implemented at Cushman Ridge, south of the Dry Creek Trail.
Helicopters used precise water drops Monday to prevent the fire from moving further east, near Mount Rose.
“In the east flank of the fire in the Mount Rose country, we still have four firefighters up on the hill. They will continue to direct helicopter bucket work with water from up there, and work some of the fire’s edge,” said Bear Gulch Fire Operations Section Chief, Nate Crawford.
Heavy equipment and air operations continued to work Tuesday on the eastern flank of the fire’s perimeter using fuel reduction and water application techniques.
Northwest of Lake Cushman, firefighters will continue patrols and secure the fire’s edge.
Structure protection techniques continue on the western portion of the lake, south of the fire perimeter by fire personnel.
Water hose and sprinkler systems will continuously operate and wet down vegetation around structures and infrastructure in the Dry Creek, Copper Creek, and Staircase areas to prevent future ignitions.
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