NPS Photo Bear Gulch Fire The human-caused Bear Gulch Fire was ignited on July 6, 2025. The fire started in Olympic National Forest, on the steep, rocky, southwestern slope of Mt. Rose above Lake Cushman. In late July, the fire progressed towards Olympic National Park, crossed the North Fork Skokomish River, and expanded into wilderness areas. Dry, hot weather and easterly wind events in mid-August and mid-September fueled cycles of increased fire behavior and rapid expansions. The Bear Gulch Fire became the largest wildland fire on the Olympic Peninsula since 1951. After months of coordinated response, the fire was declared 100% contained on November 12, 2025. After a year-long closure, the Staircase developed area and its access road, FS-24, will reopen on July 8. Visitors will be able to access the campground, ranger station, Rapids Loop Trail, and other developed facilities. Wilderness trails beyond the developed area will remain closed while crews complete hazard assessments and repair damaged backcountry infrastructure, including bridges and privies. Restoration work will continue throughout the summer, including trail stabilization, erosion control, culvert repairs, and vegetation management. Area closures may change as recovery efforts continue. The fire left a patchwork of burn scars that increased the risks of landslides, rockfall, and treefall in the Staircase and North Fork Skokomish River drainage areas. To stay safe in the Staircase area, visitors should: Stay on open trails. Closed areas may contain unstable ground, damaged bridges, or hidden hazards. Respect closures to protect yourself and allow trail crews to safely complete repairs. Beware falling trees and rolling rocks. Trees and branches can fall without warning, even on calm days. Stay alert for overhead hazards, avoid lingering beneath burned trees, watch for stump holes or unstable ground, and leave the area immediately if you hear cracking trees or moving rocks. Drive carefully. Rocks, debris, or fallen trees may block roads at any time. Slow down, especially during wet or windy weather, and carry extra food and water in case travel is delayed. Check the weather. Wind and storms can quickly increase hazards by bringing down trees or triggering flash floods, landslides, and debris flows. Avoid burned areas during severe weather and leave immediately if conditions worsen. Help the forest recover. Burned landscapes are especially vulnerable to invasive species. Clean boots and gear before hiking to help protect recovering ecosystems. Archived information about the Bear Gulch Fire can be found on the inactive InciWeb page: Waolf Bear Gulch Fire Information | InciWeb
A good resource for visualizing current and future smoke conditions. Learn more about the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service here: U.S. Wildland Fire Service | U.S. Department of the Interior |
Last updated: July 8, 2026