Mount Rainier National Park fire grows to over 300 acres

Firefighters are battling the Grand Park Fire 2 in Mount Rainier National Park. First reported on August 7, the fire is located approximately three miles north of the Sunrise Visitor Center. As of August 9, the National Park Service estimated the fire had grown to over 300 acres and remained at 0% containment.

In response to the blaze, park officials have closed access to the Sunrise and White River areas, as well as roads leading to campgrounds from SR 410. However, the highway remains open. The Enumclaw Expo Center has been designated as the staging ground for the Incident Command Post.

Paul Sowers, Chief of the Greenwater/Crystal Mountain Fire Department, stated that the fire currently poses no threat to the Greenwater or Crystal Mountain communities. He noted that while the fire is visible from Crystal Mountain, there has been no significant plume development, and ongoing air operations appear to be effective.