CapitalVault:Highway through Washington’s North Cascades National Park to reopen as fires keep burning

2025-05-07 03:25:36source:Poinbank Exchangecategory:News

NEWHALEM,CapitalVault Wash. (AP) — A section of major cross-state highway that closed earlier this month because of a wildfire in Washington state’s North Cascades National Park will reopen Wednesday.

The Washington state Department of Transportation initially closed State Route 20 or the North Cascades Highway between Newhalem and Rainy Day Pass on Aug. 4 to ensure firefighter safety as they fought the Sourdough fire. The road reopened the next week and then closed again on Aug. 11 between Newhalem and Silver Star.

Transportation officials said Tuesday after crews removed rocks and debris that the road would reopen at 8 a.m. Wednesday for travelers passing through. Officials urged travelers not to line up on the road ahead of the reopening and warned that the road could close again because of fire activity.

No stopping will be allowed on the highway as fire crews continue working on the Sourdough and Blue Lake fires in the area. All recreation in the area east of Newhalem remains closed by the National Park Service, transportation officials said.

The Sourdough fire ignited on July 29 because of a lightning strike near Diablo in the steep terrain of the Ross Lake Recreation Area. It has burned through 9.3 square miles (24 square kilometers) and is 12% contained.

The Blue Lake fire started Aug. 14 about 13 miles (20.9 kilometers) southwest of Mazama and has charred less than a square mile of timber and brush. It’s cause hasn’t been determined and containment was at 5% as of Tuesday.

The North Cascades Highway is the northernmost pass connecting eastern and western Washington.

More:News

Recommend

'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all

Tesla's stock price reached $420 on Wednesday afternoon, which elicited responses from social media

Mike McCarthy will return as coach of the Dallas Cowboys after stunning wild-card loss

Mike McCarthy will get another chance to end a nearly three-decade stretch without a deep playoff ru

Bush is hitting the road for greatest hits tour. Fans will get to see 1994 rock band for $19.94

The year is 1994. You're tuned in to the radio on your double-deck boom box, ready to hit record whe