BELLINGHAM — The Washington Department of Transportation has issued a temporary closure of State Route 20 — North Cascades Highway — after the Easy Fire just east of Whatcom County flared up near the road.
The road closed in both directions at 8 a.m. Sunday between Granite Creek and Easy Pass trailhead. There is currently no estimated reopening time or detours of any kind.
Firefighters are engaging in suppression tactics, and working to clear the road of debris and hazards. The Easy Fire has grown to 1,056 acres.
The fire started from a lightning strike on July 17, and closed the road. However, the road was reopened July 26 with a pilot car and flaggers being used to control traffic.
With wildfires growing across the state, Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency proclamation on Friday, primarily to further mobilize the state’s firefighting resources.
