Olympic: A Lightning-Sparked Fire Watched on the Park's West Side

If you're planning a hike in Olympic National Park, here's something worth knowing before you pack your bag. A wildfire called the Mt. Tom Creek Fire is currently burning on a remote mountain slope on the west side of the park. Its cause is natural. It was started by lightning, a common occurrence in these forested highlands during the summer.

Firefighters are on the scene and working under a full-suppression strategy, which means they're aiming to put the fire out completely. To do that without needlessly putting crews at risk on this hard-to-reach terrain, they're using what's known as indirect confinement tactics. In practice, they're not fighting the flames head-on. Instead, they're building containment lines at a distance to hold the fire back and keep it from gaining ground.

The key thing to know for your trip is that no evacuation orders have been issued and no area closures are in effect. The park is still open and accessible. So the situation is under control, but it's worth staying alert, especially if your plans run through the Hoh River Trail, one of the signature trails in this part of the park.

If you're thinking about an overnight backpacking trip in this area, park managers recommend planning ahead. In plain terms, keep a backup route in mind in case fire activity picks up near the Hoh River Trail. It's a common-sense precaution, not a call to cancel. Check the day's conditions at a visitor center before you set out.

To place this trail among all your options and plan your visit under the best conditions, we recommend starting with the Olympic park guide, which pulls together the essentials to know before you go. And if you're picturing a bigger journey along the coast, this park is part of our road trip itinerary that runs through it.