SIT REP 2: July 19, 2025, Saturday

INCIDENT SUMMARY

Location: A wildfire named the BEAR GULCH (Incident #WA-OLF-000178) is burning about 10 miles northwest of Hoodsport in the Olympic National Forest near Mt. Rose Railhead along the Lake Cushman Trail, in Washington State (USA).

The human-caused fire broke out on July 6, 2025, at 2142 hours PT.

Photo Credit: Inciweb

Current Size Up: There have been 633 acres of timber litter and understory, and steep terrain. The fire has a 19% containment status and has been slated for total containment by October 1, 2025. This does not mean the fire will necessarily be put out, but it could still have some hotspots and other fire objectives that require the agency to address.

Fire Behavior: Active fire behavior has been observed with isolated torching.

The USFS Operational Update: “Smoke continues to be visible from afar as the fire moves further into the Mount Skokomish Wilderness, west of Mt. Rose and burning above road 24.

Operations remain focused on continuing to safely implement this critical work.

Crews will keep working to prep and secure the Staircase area with sprinkler kits and fire protective wrap on structures.

They will continue to work off the fire breaks, established from roads 2419 and 2451, and will be strengthening the line by utilizing heavy equipment and hand crews.

Furthermore, hand crews will continue constructing handline near the Mt. Ellinor trail system with heavy equipment off of road 2419.

As the fire remains active, a type 1 helicopter will keep dropping water on the fire to slow its progress towards National Park infrastructure. Fire crews are also building up and reinforcing the containment lines around the perimeter using natural barriers, roads, and trails.

This fire is burning in extremely steep terrain that rises 3500 ft from the lakeshore to the top of Mt. Rose
and on to Copper Mountain.

Firefighter and public safety are our number one priority, so these steep conditions limit and slow down the ability to work on the hillside due to rolling debris, falling trees, and difficult access.”

Damage Assessment: 0 structure loss or reported as damaged. Cost-to-Date: 3.5 Million Dollars.

EVACUATIONS IN EFFECT

Evacuation updates: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/fire_info.php

INCIDENT COOPERATORS

Resources: 163 personnel, four crews, six engines, and a single helicopter.

Lead Fire Agency: USDA Forest Service.

Aviation Assets: Fire Suppression Aircraft is currently and will continue to dip (draft water) out of the north end of Lake Cushman. BOATERS AND REC USERS SHOULD AVOID THIS AREA. | Photo Credit: Inciweb

FAA: There is a current Temporary Flight Restriction or TFR in effect. This is to protect the lives of firefighters both in the air and on the ground and stop the incursion of drones and aircraft in the airspace around the wildfire.

(c) 2025 NW FIRE BLOG