Heatwave Complex Update Sept 4, 2009
Incident: Heatwave Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/4/2009
Overview: The Heatwave Complex is comprised of twelve lighting-ignited wildland fires that started in June and July 2009, five of which are active. Seven additional fires remain inactive. The fires of the Heatwave Complex are located in remote wilderness within Olympic National Park and pose no immediate threat to life, safety, and property. The Constance Fire and 10-Mile Fire are burning in Douglas-fir and mountain hemlock forests, with a mixed understory. The Buckinghorse Fire and Knife Fire are mostly in sub-alpine fir forests.
Fire Activity: Fire activity is expected to decrease significantly with wetting rains and cooler temperatures expected through September 9. While this cool, wet period may diminish fire activity, it may not put the fires out. Some fire activity could remain and fire behavior may increase with warmer, drier days in September. All fires are being monitored by ground patrols and/ or aerial observations.
10 Mile Fire - 750 acres - The 10 Mile Fire (750 acres) is being monitored. Fire behavior is minimal. The fire is smoldering and creeping in heavy fuels.
Constance Fire - 440 acres - The Constance Fire (440 acres) is being patrolled every few days. There has been no new growth in the past few weeks.
Buckinghorse Fire - 330 acres - This fire is smoldering and creeping. It is backing downslope to the west and east.
Knife Fire - 170 acres - The Knife Fire's behavior and activity is similar to that of the Buckinghorse Fire. Both are smoldering and creeping, backing downslope to the west and east.
Solduc Fire - 6 acres - The Solduc Fire (six acres) has minimal activity.
Strategy: Given the remote locations of these fires, steep terrain conditions, and habitat management goals, fire managers will continue to monitor these fires as they progress naturally, and are prepared to take actions as needed where they can do so safely and effectively. Fire managers are confining the east side of the Constance fire to prevent additional fire growth on the Olympic National Forest and surrounding private land. Crews are clearing trails of fallen trees and rolling debris resulting from the fires. They are also mitigating other trail hazards, like nearby damaged trees that may unexpectedly fall over the trail. This will expedite trail openings once the fires are out.
Resource Benefits: As they burn, these naturally occurring and slow-moving fires are creating a healthy mosaic of burned and unburned forest. Wildlife will benefit from increased habitat diversity. The current fires are also creating natural fuel breaks that will help moderate the intensity and slow the spread of larger, more intense wildfires in the future.
Closures: There are two emergency trail closures in effect: The Dosewallips Road from Elkhorn Campground to the Dosewallips Trail at Dose Forks and the Duckabush Trail from LaCrossePass junction to the park boundary. There are no backcountry campfire bans in the park. For more backcountry information, please contact the park's Wilderness Information Center (360-565-3100)
Heatwave Complex Fire information: 360-565-3122 or www.inciweb.org
