High Steel Fire in Olympic National Forest held to 26 acres

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A fire in the Olympic National Forest near the High Steel Bridge in the Skokomish Valley was contained at 26 acres on Friday.

The blaze was initially spotted Wednesday, and officials with Olympic National Forest said it was first estimated at being 10 acres in size.

The cause of the fire is undetermined and currently under investigation, officials said.

A Type 4 Incident Commander along with the Logan Hot Shot Crew, two engines, and a dozer responded quickly to the fire after it was reported. The High Steel Fire is surrounded by three roads and is plumbed with hose around most of the fire, and by Thursday evening, officials said the crews were able to get containment around the fire and the lines are holding.

As of Friday, the response included two fire engines, a 10-person camp crew, and one water tender. 

No rain is in the weather forecast, but officials said elevated relative humidity and calm winds were helping to keep the fire in check.

Increase smoke is expected, and may be visible throughout the Hood Canal area.

There are currently no closures in the area, but forest officials are asking the public to avoid the area to ensure operations can continue smoothly.