Bear Gulch

## Bear Gulch Fire Report - July 29, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Bear Gulch Fire was first reported on July 6, 2025, around 9:42 PM PDT. It ignited near the Mt. Rose Trailhead along the Lake Cushman Corridor (FS-24) in the Olympic National Forest, approximately 10 miles northwest of Hoodsport, Washington. **Size and Containment**: As of July 28, 2025, the fire has grown to an estimated 1,094 acres. Containment has decreased to 10%. Previous reports indicated containment at 19% around July 20-22. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is burning in timber, litter, and understory, primarily on steep and rocky terrain. Recent growth has been lateral due to rollouts (burning vegetation rolling downhill) and upslope burning, with the fire spreading into the Skokomish Wilderness and Olympic National Park. Active fire behavior with isolated torching has been observed. The fire is creeping, smoldering, and backing with isolated torching. **Containment Efforts**: Full suppression strategies are being implemented, utilizing tactics that offer the highest probability of success while mitigating risks to responders. Firefighters are using indirect tactics and point protection due to the difficult terrain. Efforts include preparing lower Staircase trails for use as fire lines, reducing fuels along Forest Road 2451, and removing hazard trees and brush along Forest Road 2419 to protect the Lake Cushman residential area. Indirect fireline construction is underway along roads and trails to prevent the spread east towards Big Creek Campground, Lake Cushman Mt. Rose Village, Hoodsport, and Highway 101. A Type 1 helicopter has been used for water drops to slow the fire's progression. The Western Washington Incident Management Team transitioned command to a National Incident Management Team (NIMO) on July 23, 2025. The cost to date for the fire is reported at $3.5 million. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** Currently, there are no evacuation orders in effect for nearby communities. The following evacuation levels are in place as a reminder for residents to prepare: * **Level 1 – READY**: Prepare a go-kit for you, family, and animals. Clear areas around your home in advance and know your escape routes. * **Level 2 – SET**: Have your go-kit on hand and ready. Ensure you, your family, and animals are ready to go at a moment's notice. * **Level 3 – GO**: Grab your go-kit. Load your family and animals and leave. **Road and Trail Closures:** Several roads and trails are closed due to the fire and associated hazards, including falling debris: * **NF Road 2400 (also known as FS-24, Road 119 and North Lake Cushman Road)** is closed at mile marker 10.5, at the junction of North Mount Church Drive and NF Road 2400. This closure includes access to day-use areas, trailheads, and other sites beyond this point. * **FS Road 2419** is closed at its intersection with NF Road 2400, with barricades in place. This closure includes the Upper and Lower Mt. Ellinor trail system. * **FS Road 2451** is closed, making the Copper Creek Trailhead and Dry Creek East Trailhead inaccessible. * **The Upper Big Creek Loop**, leaving from Big Creek Campground, is closed. * **The Mt. Rose Trail** is closed. * **Northfork Skokomish River Trail** from Staircase to its junction with the Flapjack Lakes Trail is closed. * **Wagonwheel Lake Trail**, **Shady Lane Trail**, and **Four Stream Trail** are closed. * **Slide Camp and Wagonwheel Lake wilderness campsites** are closed. **For more information, visit:** * [Olympic National Forest Website]: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/olympic * [Olympic National Park Fire Conditions and Updates]: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/fire-conditions-and-updates.htm * [InciWeb for current fire information]: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ ### Current Impact **Impacts:** * **Structures Impacted**: There are no reported structure damages or losses. * **Injuries and Fatalities**: No injuries or fatalities have been reported in relation to the Bear Gulch Fire. * **Infrastructure**: Crews are working to protect park structures in the Staircase area, including preparing areas around structures and improving fire breaks. Sprinklers have been installed in strategic positions. Efforts are also underway to protect critical energy and infrastructure in the Staircase area of Olympic National Park. * **Air Quality**: Smoke from the Bear Gulch Fire, along with smoke from other fires in the region and Canada, has caused haze in Western Washington. While air quality is generally good to moderate, intermittent periods of smoke are expected in communities near the fire, such as Hoodsport, Potlatch, and Skokomish, particularly in the afternoons. The Mount Rose Village may experience UNHEALTHY AQI briefly in the morning. Travelers on HWY 119 should anticipate reduced visibility. **Safety Concerns:** * **Burn Bans and Fire Restrictions**: Campfires are restricted to established fire rings in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest due to dry conditions and high fire danger. * **Hazardous Conditions**: Falling or rolling debris, including large boulders and trees, poses a significant hazard along NF Road 2400. Steep terrain also limits firefighter access and increases the risk of rolling debris, falling trees, and cliffs. * **Air Space Restrictions**: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire, prohibiting unauthorized aircraft, including drones, to ensure the safety of aerial firefighting operations. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: Containment is currently at 10%, with efforts focused on improving control lines and protecting values at risk. The projected full containment date was previously stated as October 1, 2025, though this is an estimate and may change. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: Over the next few days, warmer and slightly drier weather is expected to continue. Onshore flow is moderating humidity, which helps to moderate fire behavior. However, a warming and drying trend is expected to begin on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Light winds are generally expected, with temperatures in the low to mid-80s on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, cooling to the mid-70s on Thursday. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The Bear Gulch Fire is human-caused. The exact cause has not been specified. **Weather and Climate**: The fire is burning in steep terrain, and warm, dry weather conditions have complicated firefighting efforts. The ongoing presence of smoke and haze is attributed to the Bear Gulch Fire and other fires in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. The dry conditions and the forecast for above-average probability of large and costly wildfires in the region highlight the role of climate in exacerbating fire risk. ### For more information, visit:** * [InciWeb - Bear Gulch Fire Information]: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7058/ * [Olympic National Forest Alerts and Closures]: https://www.fs.us

Citations