Eastern Whatcom County wildfires continue to spread

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — The Luna Fire and Border 2 Fire continue to burn in steep and remote terrain within the North Cascades National Park Service Complex, according to reports from the National Park Service and the Maine Incident Management Team.

The Luna Fire, located 10 miles north of Newhalem, started on July 2, 2026, from a lightning strike, according to the Maine Incident Management Team. According to the team, the fire has burned 3,583 acres and has 0% containment as of August 9, 2026. A total of 32 personnel are assigned to the incident under Incident Commander Ben Goodwin, according to the Maine Incident Management Team.

According to the Maine Incident Management Team, a Type 3 helicopter conducted bucket work along Big Beaver Creek on August 8, 2026. Yellowstone Wildfire Module 2 is working in the Beaver Pass area to protect structures and will move to the Big Beaver Camp area upon completion, according to the team. A Bell 212 helicopter has been assisting with potential initial attack operations within the park.

Luna and Border fire locations as of August 9, 2026. Source: Watch Duty

The Border 1 Fire and Border 2 Fire were discovered on July 17, 2026, following lightning storms east of Ross Lake near the US and Canada border, according to the National Park Service. The two fires merged on July 21, 2026, into the Border 2 Fire, which is managed under a full-suppression strategy. The National Park Service reported that the fire crossed the international border into Canada, where it is known as the Hozomeen Mountain Wildfire, and extended east onto Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest lands.

Trail closures in effect for the Border 2 Fire include the following.

Willow Lake Trail
Hozomeen Lake Trail
Obelisk Trail
Boundary (Three Fools Creek)/Castle Pass Trail
Desolation Lookout Trail
Eastbank Trail north of Lightning Creek

Camp, boat-in, and campground closures for the Border 2 Fire include the following.

Nightmare Camp
Willow Lake Camp
Hozomeen Lake Camp
Desolation Camp
Deerlick Camp
Boundary Bay, Silver Creek, Little Beaver, Little Beaver Group, Cat Island, and Lightning Creek boat-in camps, including docks
Winnebago Flats Campground
Upper Loop and Lower Loop Campgrounds

Area closures for the Border 2 Fire include Ross Lake north of the Lightning Creek boat-in camp to the US and Canada border, the entire Hozomeen area, and the Starvation Ridge and Hozomeen cross-country zones, according to the National Park Service. Foot traffic across the US and Canada border in this area remains prohibited.

Trail closures for the Luna Fire include:

Big Beaver Trail from Ross Lake to the junction with Little Beaver Trail
Little Beaver Trail from Ross Lake to Whatcom Pass
Sourdough Trail

Camp closures for the Luna Fire include Pumpkin Mountain, Big Beaver Boat-in, Big Beaver Stock, Luna, Beaver Pass, Beaver Pass Stock and Group, 39 Mile, 39 Mile Stock, Twin Rocks, Twin Rocks Stock, Stillwell, Pierce Mountain, and Sourdough Lookout camps. Area closures for the Luna Fire include the Sourdough, Luna, and Prophet cross-country zones, according to the National Park Service.

Operating drones within the North Cascades National Park Service Complex is prohibited without prior written approval from the superintendent, according to the Maine Incident Management Team.