250-acre fire burns deep in Olympic National Park, officials say

PORT ANGELES -- A fire has burned about 250 acres of Queets River Valley wilderness in the Olympic National Park, the National Park Service said.

Staff learned of the fire late Monday, officials said. It is located about 12 miles up valley from the Queets River trailhead.

The cause of the fire is not currently known.

Officials closed the Queets River Trial at Bob Creek until further notice as the fire burns. A three-person team is hiking into the area to evaluate the fire, and check on fuel moisture and other conditions.

The short-term weather forecast is calling for cooler temperatures and possible showers this Friday. However, drier conditions are expected to persist into the summer.