PORT ANGELES — Sula Jacobs, the superintendent of Olympic National Park, shared her deep passion for the park during a luncheon held by the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce at the Red Lion Inn on Wednesday. Jacobs, who has been in her role for three and a half years, recalled her first experience with the stunning landscapes of the park from a family trip decades ago.
In her presentation, Jacobs highlighted the most significant event of 2025 — the Bear Gulch fire. What began as a manageable incident on July 6 quickly escalated, expanding by 5,000 acres within a single day. Jacobs confirmed that the fire was human-caused and emphasized the park’s commitment to fire safety, ensuring that personnel are consistently monitoring conditions during fire season.
Looking ahead, Jacobs outlined upcoming roadwork projects scheduled for the summer. A portion of the road just past Mora Campground will be closed, though the campground itself will remain accessible. Additionally, there will be a one-lane closure in the Hoh Rain Forest. “We have a very limited window to do road work,” Jacobs explained, stressing the importance of timely repairs.
While final visitation figures for December are pending, Jacobs reported that Olympic National Park welcomed approximately 3.6 million visitors in 2025 and saw about 3.7 million in 2024. The influx of tourists generated around $380 million in economic activity, with significant portions allocated to lodging and dining. This economic boost supported nearly 2,880 jobs across the community, underscoring the park’s integral role in local commerce. Jacobs noted that visitor spending contributed to an impressive $516 million in economic output for the Olympic Peninsula.
Additionally, she celebrated the achievement of the park’s Utilities Team, which won the award for Best Maintenance among all U.S. national parks.
During an engaging question-and-answer session, Jacobs addressed inquiries regarding the ongoing reconstruction of the Hurricane Ridge Lodge. A public listening session was also scheduled for that evening for community input. Jacobs reassured attendees that existing constraints are manageable and that the new lodge will maintain the same footprint and utility connections as the original. While concerns about winter construction impacts were raised, she indicated that a clearer picture would emerge as plans progress.
For those unable to attend the listening session, public comments can be submitted through the park’s planning website until January 21.
For further details about the lodge reconstruction project, visitors can access more information online. Jacobs’ dedication to both the preservation of Olympic National Park and its partnership with local businesses serves as a reminder of the park’s vitality in both environmental and economic terms.