Even as cooler weather dominates the forecast for some parts of the state, the state Department of Natural Resources will maintain its statewide burn ban until Sept. 30. During the ban, campfires may be allowed, but only in approved fire pits in designated campgrounds. Campers are not allowed to build their own fire pits.

Department officials suggests always checking to see if there are additional local restrictions on campfires before leaving home to go camping or hiking. Because campgrounds may choose to ban campfires, it’s best to check with the campground host before lighting a campfire, said a department news …

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Here is the latest update on wildflowers at Mount Rainier National Park:

“It seems that the peak in Paradise and the late season blooms are happening about the same time.” Said Lou Whiteaker, the park’s plant ecologist.

Great area of the week: Paradise – Nisqually Vista trail

“It is amazing how much the wildflowers have popped this last week,” said Tara Callaway, interpretive park ranger. “Everywhere you hike here, there are tons of lupines, paintbrush, bistort, asters, and louseworts.

“However, I am saddened to say that the end of summer may be near because the first bog gentian was spotted …

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There has been little new fire activity as the Hopper fire continues burning on the east side of Olympic National Park. The fire is still creeping through downed logs and avalanche chutes on the east and west flanks of Mount Hopper. It has burned 385 acres since it was ignited by lightning Aug. 5. It is still considered just 15 percent contained.

The nine-person fuels crew monitoring the fire since Aug. 18 are expected to start hiking out Tuesday. Park fire officials will continue to monitor the Hopper fire by air.

The Hopper fire is located at the headwaters of …

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A portion of Marine Area 4 will close to salmon fishing Saturday, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced a short time ago.

The closures covers the waters of Makah Bay east of the 124 degrees, 41 minutes line, which is approximately from Waatch Point to Anderson Point.

The department’s news release said the Makah National Fish Hatchery is not expected to make egg-take goals for chinook if normally scheduled fisheries occur. A sport closure around the river mouth is necessary.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife a short time ago announced Lake Wenatchee will close for sockeye salmon fishing one hour after sunset on Aug. 31.

The news release said by Aug. 31 most of the sockeye currently in the lake will have migrated to the White and Little Wenatchee rivers and will be unavailable to anglers. Continuing the fishery would also increase bull trout impacts.

Trout and other game fish seasons will continue as described in the 2010/2011 “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet.

The State Department of Natural Resources said this afternoon it is receiving an unusually high volume of calls reporting abandoned campfires throughout Pierce and King counties. Calls are coming in from both the public as well as from department and U.S. Forest Service patrols.

There have been 67 fires started this year as a result of escaped or abandoned campfires, a department official said.

“We want to thank the public for reporting costly, abandoned fires,” Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark said in a news release. “These fires need to be properly put out before they turn into large fires …

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As of late Wednesday, the size of the Hopper fire is holding steady at 381 acres with 15 percent containment.

The Hopper fire is located on Mount Hopper on the east side of Olympic National Park, at the headwaters of the Crazy Creek Drainage and Skokomish River in the Olympic Wilderness, approximately 11 miles north of the Staircase area.

An additional group of 10 fire monitors arrived at the fire Wednesday morning to study the fire’s movement and weather patterns associated with fire behavior, said an update from the park. The monitoring team will install six rapid assessment plots to …

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The state Department of Natural Resources is temporarily closing some roads, a campground, and access in two areas due to road work.

The closures are in Capitol State Forest outside of Olympia and near Mount Si in eastern King County.

In Capitol State Forest, Porter Creek Campground and the nearby B-Line Road will be closing Thursday. The closure will continue through part of next year when DNR crews will assess the condition of the area to be reopened.

Porter Creek Campground is a popular area for motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and mountain bike riding as well as picnicking in the …

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