The largest wildfire in Western Washington raced through thick timber Thursday in a popular recreation area on the east side of the Olympic Mountains, nearly doubling in size in 24 hours and prompting fire officials to close several trails and roads into the area.
Meanwhile, officials were readying a mandatory evacuation order for all hikers and campers in the area of Hamma Hamma Road leading into the Lena Lake area, about five miles west of Highway 101.
"This means 'Leave Now.' Don’t wait - pack your stuff and leave the area. If you were planning to hike or recreate in the area, you must make other arrangements," Olympic National Forest officials said in Thursday's daily update on the fire.