The North Cascades Highway (Highway 20) was closed east of Ross Lake for almost a day due to a wildfire near the road, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The highway was closed Wednesday evening between milepost 148, near Granite Creek Bridge, and milepost 158, just east of the Rainy Pass Trailhead. The highway reopened Thursday around 4 p.m., but the wildfire was still active. Officials said motorists should not stop between mileposts 148 and 158.
The fire is burning about a half-mile off the road, so motorists should stay in their vehicles and obey all signs. “No looking,” the Washington State Department of Transportation warned Thursday afternoon.
WSDOT also advised drivers to watch out for fire and maintenance crews and to have backup routes in case road closures occur again.
The blaze, dubbed the Easy Fire, near the Easy Pass Trailhead, was started by lightning on Wednesday, according to the release. Report by the Northwest Interagency Coordination Centre.
The National Weather Service Red Flag Warning Warnings were issued for much of the Cascade Mountains and Olympic Peninsula on Wednesday, as scattered thunderstorms that could spark fires were expected in those areas.
As of Thursday’s update, the fire has burned 100 acres and is 0% contained.
The highway was closed multiple times last summer due to wildfires.
National Park Service last week A ban on open flames was issued Dry weather is causing above-average fire risk across much of Western Washington in July and August across North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.
Southeast of the Easy Fire, the Pioneer Fire off Lake Chelan had burned about 24,000 acres as of Thursday. The blaze was 14% contained, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.
