North Cascades Highway reopens after crews clear mudslide; Easy Fire still growing

Whatcom County’s closest connection to Eastern Washington is open again after mudslide covered the road and a wildfire burned nearby.

Highway 20 opened east of Newhalem at noon Thursday, officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation said in an emailed statement.

“Fire crews continue to work in the area in response to the Easy Fire and a 35 mph advisory speed zone has been posted between milepost 150 and 154. There are no pullouts or passing through in this section and travelers should remain alert for fire and maintenance vehicles exiting and entering the roadway,” WSDOT said.

Highway 20, also called the North Cascades Highway, closed Aug. 4 because of the Easy Fire and stayed closed after an Aug. 11 mudslide that was caused by heavy rain from thunderstorms that passed through Western Washington.

Maintenance crews are still working to clear basins and restore drainage on weekdays.

Flagger-controlled traffic with a pilot car will guide drivers between milepost 150 and 154 starting at 7 a.m. Monday, WSDOT said. The road will be open without a pilot car during non-working hours, WSDOT said.

Some 7,000 tons of trees, rocks and dirt was cleared from the roadway.

Meanwhile, recent cooler weather has allowed fire crews to gain ground on the Easy Fire, which is burning near southeastern Whatcom County.

“Aided by recent rain, cloud cover and moderated temperatures, firefighters have successfully held the Easy Fire within its existing footprint. Unmanned aircraft systems (drones) were used to look for areas of remaining heat and found a small number of heat signatures. Helicopters dropped water bucket to cool down the hot spots,” according to a media briefing issued Wednesday.

The Easy Fire has grown to 2,130 acres since it was sparked by lighting on July 17, according to the federal government wildfire information service InciWeb.

It’s 36% contained and burning in timber, mostly creeping and smoldering. Several buildings are threatened.