Level 3 evacuations remain in place for Bear Gulch Fire in Mason County, WA
Wildfires burning in Washington state
Multiple wildfires are burning across Washington state, producing smoky air quality for certain areas. Here's a roundup of the latest progress made on the wildfires.
MASON COUNTY, Wash. - Level 3 "Go Now" evacuations remain in effect for parts of Mason County due to increased fire activity near Lake Cushman.
Firefighter standing on Big Cedar (InciWeb)
What we know:
The Bear Gulch Fire, which has been burning since July 6 in the Olympic National Forest near the Mt. Rose Trailhead, has burned nearly 5,000 acres and is 3% contained.
(Bear Gulch Fire evacuation map (via Mason County Sheriff's Office))
Are evacuations in place for the Bear Gulch Fire in WA?
Level 3 Evacuations (Go Now) are in place for the area near Dry Creek Trail, which includes the Staircase Campground and areas across the causeway on the north side of Lake Cushman. Level 2 Evacuations (Get Set) are in place for areas south of Dry Creek.
Wrapped bridge in Staircase area. (InciWeb)
There are many road, trail, and campground closures in the southeast portion of Olympic National Park. Lake Cushman is currently closed to the public, and a temporary flight restriction is in place over the Bear Gulch Fire.
What's next:
Fire officials say increased humidity and weather patterns this week could be favorable for crews working on the Bear Gulch Fire. Cool temperatures in the mid-60s, with humidity around 60%, are expected to continue through Friday — with rain also in the forecast.
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What caused the Bear Gulch Fire in Mason County, WA?
What you can do:
The Mason County Sheriff's Office said the fire was human-caused, and the Olympic National Forest is seeking tips for how the fire started on July 6. Tips can be submitted to the Forest Service Tipline by calling 541-618-2154 or by email at SM.FS.R6TipHotLine@usda.gov. Tips submitted via email should have the subject "Bear Gulch."
The public can check for updates on the Bear Gulch Fire 2025 Facebook page.
This is a developing story, and will be updated.
The Source: Information in this story came from the Mason County Sheriff's Office, National Park Service, United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service and InciWeb.
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