On Sunday July 23rd, Crater Lake National Park received over 50 lightning strikes along with significant precipitation. Three fires are currently burning in remote areas of the park as a result of this storm and a July 3 lightning storm. The National Park Service is managing these fires as wildland fire use fires for ecosystem benefits. Such fires are allowed to burn and spread naturally when they do not threaten people or property. Wildland fire use is an important tool for restoring fire dependent ecosystems. As these fires burn naturally, a mosaic is created across the landscape, breaking up continuous fuels into self- checking fire breaks. Fires managed under Wildland Fire Use are beneficial to the forest ecosystem, removing dead wood accumulations and recycling nutrients back into the soil. Fire managers expect these fires to burn throughout the summer. Varying degrees of growth and movement of the fires is expected. The fires will be managed to prevent any threats to public safety or facilities, and to keep them from leaving the park. If necessary, temporary closures of some backcountry trails may occur to ensure visitor safety. Visitors to the park should expect smoky conditions as localized smoke settles over the lake during late afternoon and evening hours. Visitors will find a better chance of smoke-free views and photo opportunities earlier in the day. There are good opportunities to view these fires from West Rim Drive in the park. The largest of the three fires is the Bybee Fire, at about 25 acres. It is located in the Bybee Creek area in the western portion of the park, in an area that burned in 2004. Fire behavior has been active due to the dead trees from the previous fire. The Bald Crater Fire, in the northwest corner of the park, is approximately 1/4 acre. This fire is burning in downed logs in an area that burned in 1986. The one-tenth acre Hillman Fire, in the northwest corner of the park, was ignited by lighting on July 3 and is also being managed for wildland fire use. No fire activity or smoke is currently showing from this fire.
