Olympic National Park – Olympic National Park officials on Friday released an update on the Bear Gulch fire that has closed Staircase and other areas of the park near Lake Cushman.
They said the estimated size of the human-caused fire has grown to 440 acres and is 0% contained.
On Thursday crews continued work along North Lake Cushman Road removing fuels and maintaining access and egress to allow for continued operations. The Staircase area was also evaluated for fuels mitigation work and structure protection. Crews spent time on the west side of the causeway looking at homes and evaluating the best way to mitigate fuels and provide structure protection to homes and structures in that area should it become necessary.
The potential for falling debris across North Lake Cushman Road continues to be a primary hazard in the area. Water drops or rain showers can agitate the loose rock and other unstable debris on the steep hillside above the road. Crews are using a grader to help clear the roadway to maintain access for firefighting efforts and escape in case of an emergency.
Incident priorities in the Staircase area are residential structure protection and defense of area infrastructure. Crews will be reducing fuels, wrapping structures in protective barriers, and placing sprinklers to protect those values near Staircase Ranger Station on Friday. Crews will also be removing snags, brush, and debris to use it as a fire break. In addition, fire personnel will be working on the east side of the fire to identify new fire lines and establish existing roads and trails for additional fire breaks.
Falling or rolling debris from the fire area, including large boulders and trees will continue to pose a serious hazard to anyone on North Lake Cushman Road. Due to this ongoing threat and significant safety concerns, the road is closed, including access to day use, trailheads and other sites beyond the closure point, at mile marker 10.5. This junction is where the pavement ends and the Forest Service road into the Staircase area of Olympic National Park begins. Access to Division 3 remains open.
Due to dry conditions, high fire danger, and the number of interagency resources already dedicated to active incidents, campfires in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest are restricted to established fire rings starting at 12 a.m. on July 11th, 2025.
(Photo courtesy of firenet.gov)