Bear Gulch Fire grows to 5,556 acres with only 3 containment

The Bear Gulch Fire in Olympic National Forest has rapidly expanded to 5,556 acres, with containment efforts currently at a mere 3%. Officials attribute the fire to human causes, and while there has been no structural damage, it poses a significant threat to nearby homes and campgrounds. Firefighters are preparing for an anticipated increase in temperatures and drier weather that could worsen fire conditions over the weekend. To combat the blaze, crews are enhancing road systems and using natural features as fuel breaks. Hundreds of sprinklers have been deployed in vulnerable areas, and structure protection specialists are bolstering defenses.

The Staircase area has seen crews mopping up and removing flammable materials, while helicopters are actively dropping water on hot spots. Evacuation orders are in effect, particularly for areas near the Dry Creek Trail and Staircase Campground, which are under Level 3 and Level 2 notices, respectively. The southern portion of Lake Cushman remains open for recreation, while all campfires are prohibited in the region.