HomeMy WebLinkAbout121525 - News Release_ Atmospheric river impacts on Olympic National ForestALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
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Olympic National Forest
Forest Service News Release
Contact: Corina Rendón
425-248-5431
sm.fs.onfpao@usda.gov <mailto:sm.fs.oly_so_admin@usda.gov>
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Atmospheric river impacts on Olympic National Forest
OLYMPIA, Wash., Dec. 15, 2025 — Last week an atmospheric river moved across Western Washington bringing large amounts of rain and high winds to portions of the Olympic National Forest.
Forest Service crews will assess damage when safely able to, but it will take some time to understand the full extent of conditions. More rain is expected this week, which may worsen
conditions.
The combination of atmospheric rivers with the fragile soil type and steep mountains found on the Olympic Peninsula can create surge runoff triggering multiple debris flows, blow down
and washouts. Chances of landslides or washouts are much more likely to occur among pre-disturbed areas like roads and trails.
Areas of particular concern include recent burn scars. Burned areas have an increased likelihood of landslides, mudslides, flash floods, and debris flows due to the lack of vegetation
and unstable soil. Closures remain in effect for parts of the Bear Gulch and Tunnel Creek Fire areas. Post-fire hazards can exist outside closure areas.
Downed or falling trees are also a concern across the forest. Heavier than normal rainfall can saturate the soil, making it softer and loosen the grip of a tree’s root system. This can
lead to downed trees along roads, trails, rivers, and recreation sites.
Forest managers are reminding visitors to use caution and do not drive on roads that are underwater or that have been partially washed out from the storm runoff. Stay prepared by bringing
the 10 essentials <https://click.news.fs.usda.gov/?qs=71e4780bc88cc94cea5c2b27c2b1b4bb091f1fe0731ae5fdb2a6fd153db7ae11fc3d6e32c8a05172791af19198888c8fce1cf21038e54b22> in addition
to winter supplies for yourself and your vehicle.
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About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science
and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote
lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland
fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S.,
of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
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