DIABLO, Wash. — About 2:30pm on Sunday, July 21st, officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced the North Cascades Highway (SR20) would closed in both directions at 4pm due to a wildfire on timberland near the highway. It had previously been closed on July 17th and then temporarily been reopened on July 18th.
Effective 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, SR 20 North Cascades Highway is closed in both directions between Granite Creek (MP 148) and Easy Creek trailhead (MP 157) due to wildfire activity and fire mitigation on the Easy Fire. This closure is in place until further notice.
– Washington State Department of Transportation (July 21, 2024)
Motorists will need to use Steven’s Pass (SR2) or Snoqualmie Pass (I-90) to reach destinations east of the Cascades.
The wildfire, identified as the “Easy Fire,” was initially reported about 8pm on July 17th after a lightning storm was reported passing through the Easy Pass area just south of the Whatcom/Skagit County line. It was reported about 9pm to involve about 100 acres.
The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center said the cause of the fire was lightning. It was reported today, July 21st, the fire extended over the ridge of Mount Hardy, threatening the Pacific Coast Trail, and was moving slowly down a slope toward the North Cascades Highway (SR20). It was reported this morning to cover about 286 acres and is 0% contained.
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