Submitted by Public Information Team
Estimated size: 762 acres
Containment: 19%
Start Date/Time: 07/06/2025 9:42 PM
Area of Origin: North side of Lake Cushman near Mount Rose in Olympic National Forest, Hoodsport, WA
Cause: Human-caused
Structures Damaged: 0
Update: The fire is progressing further into Mount Skokomish Wilderness and the previous Bear Gulch Fire scar (2006). Crews are actively engaging the fire where they can, improving the primary control lines by reducing and removing fuels. They continue improving the Staircase area by refining the sprinkler system and fire protective wrap on structures. Difficult terrain inhibits the ability of crews to access steep rocky areas. Our focus continues to be safely meet objectives of protecting identified values at risk and improving primary control lines on Forest Roads 24, 2419, 2451, trails in the Mt Ellinor and the Big Creek area. When weather and visibility improve, crews may be able to have a Type 1 helicopter resume dropping water on the fire to cool down the fire’s progression. The fire continues to burn in heavy timber and extremely steep terrain which rises 3500 ft from the lakeshore to the top of Mt. Rose and on to Copper Mountain. Firefighter, community, and public safety are our number one priority. The Western Washington Incident Management Team is timing out today and will be transitioning to a National Incident Management Team (NIMO), who will take command of the fire tomorrow.
Please note: New fires in the area are stressing local resources. Campfires are only allowed in approved campfire rings in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest. Please be mindful of fire restrictions and do your part to prevent wildland fires by extinguishing your campfires, properly disposing of cigarettes, and securing trailer chains. Visit Inciweb for current information on the size and location of local fires.
Closures: USDA, Forest Service, Olympic National Forest Order NO. 06-09-25-04 for the Bear Gulch area is in effect. NF Road 2400 is closed at mile marker 10.5, at the junction of N Mount Church DR. and NF road 2400. This closure on NF Road 2400 includes access to day use, trailheads and other sites beyond the closure point. FS RD-2419 is closed at the intersection of 2419 and the NF road 2400 with barricades in place. This includes the Upper and Lower Mt. Ellinor trail system. Big Creek Campground remains open. The Upper Big Creek Loop, leaving from Big Creek Campground is closed. This closure remains in effect while crews operate heavy equipment to improve the fire-line. We may need to close other campsites or trails in the future.
Additional information is available at these website links.
For Olympic National Park closures, check their website:
Evacuation Levels: While there are no evacuation orders currently in effect, below is a reminder of how to prepare for an evacuation incident:
Level 1 – READY: Prepare a go kit for you, family, animals. Clear areas around your home in advance. Know your escape routes.
Level 2 – SET: Have your go kit on hand and ready. Ensure you, your family, and animals and ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Level 3 – GO: Grab your go kit. Load your family and animals and leave.
Lake Usage:
When weather and cloud cover allow, aircraft will continue to use the North end of Lake Cushman for dipping water for fire suppression. Please continue to keep the north end of the lake clear from boating and other recreational uses. If aircraft approach the lake, give them space for firefighting operations.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Tuesday will be partly sunny, with a high of around 77 and light winds becoming southeast around 5mph in the afternoon. Tuesday evening temperatures will drop to 58 with light winds around 4mph and humidity reaching a max of 84%.
Smoke: There may be occasional smoke in the afternoon as the temperature rises and humidity falls. With the hot, dry weather, communities near the fire such as Hoodsport, Potlatch, and Skokomish should expect intermittent periods of smoke.
Air Space Restrictions: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire. Any unaccounted-for aircraft, including drones, puts aerial firefighting resources and lives at risk. If you fly, we can’t. All firefighting aircraft must be grounded if unmanned aircraft or drones are operating near the fire.
