State Route 20/North Cascades Highway reopened to traffic on Thursday, Aug. 22 nearly 20 days after a portion of the road closed because of a wildfire and then a mudslide.
Fire crews remain in the area in response to the Easy Fire and drivers should remain aware of fire and maintenance vehicles exiting and entering the roadway, according to an announcement by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
North Cascades Highway closed between Granite Creek and Easy Pass trailhead, milepost 148-157, on Aug. 4 due to fire. On Aug. 11, after a rainstorm, there was a significant mudslide that covered several hundred feet of highway near milepost 152, according to DOT. Crews removed around 7,000 tons of material to clear the road.
Beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26, there will be flagger-controlled traffic with a pilot car between milepost 150 and 154 so crews can continue to clear basins and restore drainage during working hours, according to DOT. The road will remain open without a pilot car during working hours.
There is a 35 mph advisory speed zone posted between milepost 150 and 154, according to DOT.
The Easy Fire, which began on July 17 because of lightning, has burned 2,130 acres and is 36% contained, according to the Washington state Department of Natural Resources.
The U.S. Forest Service announced on Aug. 8 that it expects multiple wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, including the Easy Fire, to continue burning until the region experiences significant rain or snow in the fall.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
