A wildfire broke out Friday in the northeastern part of Mount Rainier National Park. Around 3 p.m. the park announced on social media that it was closing a portion of the park, effective immediately, due to the Grand Park 2 fire.
In a news release, the park’s public affairs office said that the White River Campground, White River Road, Sunrise area and all trails originating on these roads were closed to the public.
The Sunrise Visitor Center and the White River Campground in the Park were evacuated, according to local fire officials.
State highways 410 and 123, which run along the eastern edge of the park, remained open.
The Grand Park 2 fire was burning about 200 acres Friday night, but Paul Sowers, the fire chief for Greenwater and Crystal Mountain Fire Departments, said in a social media post it “will grow considerably by the end of the day.”
National Park Service and U.S. Wildland Fire Service emergency personnel responded to the fire and aerial resources were ordered, including air tankers. Sowers said he heard a crew of smokejumpers were also being ordered over the radio.
“Access to the fire will be a challenge,” Sowers said.
The road to Lake Eleanor trail, which would provide the most efficient access, is washed out, according to Sowers.
Grand Park is a meadow at about 5,600 feet in elevation near Lake Eleanor and the historic Fremont Lookout.
“First responders are on scene conducting an initial assessment and implementing appropriate containment and protection measures,” the park’s release said, adding, “Additional information regarding fire size, fire behavior, containment, road closures, and impacts to park operations will be provided as verified information becomes available.”
Mount Rainier National Park has had a fire ban in place since June 26.
Sowers said it is possible that the fire has been smoldering since recent lightning storms.
Last month, a wildfire forced the closure of the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail and part of the Pacific Northwest Trail.
There was no immediate threat to the Greenwater or Crystal Mountain communities, according to Sowers.
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