VIDEO/PHOTOS: The Bear Gulch Fire, which ignited on July 6 near Mount Rose in the Olympic National Forest, has expanded to 5,556 acres with containment efforts at just 3%, officials said. The fire, attributed to human causes, has not damaged any structures but continues to threaten homes and campgrounds. Firefighters are bracing for warmer and drier weather expected over the weekend, which could exacerbate fire activity. Crews continue to work to suppress the fire while protecting structures and values at risk. Efforts include improving road systems and using natural features as fuel breaks to prevent the fire’s spread.
Hundreds of sprinklers have been deployed west of Lake Cushman to protect homes in the Copper Creek and Dry Creek areas, while structure protection specialists are enhancing defenses southwest of the lake. In the Staircase area, crews are mopping up and removing flammable materials near infrastructure, and helicopters are dropping water on hot spots to minimize the fire’s spread. Despite recent rain and higher humidity limiting fire activity, heavy fuels continue to burn intensely under dense canopies, preheating adjacent fuels and contributing to moderate fire spread.
