The Bear Gulch Fire, burning on the north side of Lake Cushman in the Olympic National Forest, has grown to an estimated 15,739 acres with only 9% containment, fire officials announced Wednesday.
The fire, which was first reported on July 6 at 8:37 p.m., experienced significant activity Tuesday due to warm, dry conditions and strong easterly winds, according to fire officials.
Heavy smoke is expected to be visible across the Olympic Peninsula and in the Hood Canal area in the coming days.
The east winds have primarily impacted the upper slopes of the fire area, intensifying fire behavior and producing heavy smoke, particularly from the North Fork Skokomish River valley area, according to fire officials.
Helicopter bucket drops were conducted over the Copper Creek area, northwest of Lake Cushman, to help slow the fire’s spread.
The fire is burning in steep, rugged, inaccessible terrain, limiting safe direct engagement from firefighters, according to fire officials.
