DIABLO, Wash. — No estimate for reopening the North Cascades Highway has been forthcoming since it was reclosed on Thursday, August 10th. The 30-mile section of road between Newhalem and Rainy Pass was closed August 5th and reopened for a day on August 9th.
Officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation reported on Sunday, August 13th, that the section of road remained closed due to firefighting efforts and debris with no estimate for reopening.
WSDOT provided photos from within the closed section showing fallen debris on the road including rocks, trees and burning material.
As of today, Sunday, August 13th, officials from agencies monitoring wildfire smoke reported via the Washington Smoke Blog, “The only fire-of-concern from a smoke perspective in Washington is the Sourdough Fire burning above Diablo Lake in the North Cascades.”
They added, “winds through Tuesday evening will be out of the northeast across the Cascades and out of the north through the Puget Lowlands. The poorest air quality will be in the morning hours in the immediate vicinity of the fire and southeastward through the Skagit Valley.”
