Highway 20 reopens after closure due to wildfire

SEDRO-WOOLLEY — Highway 20 over the North Cascades reopened about 4 p.m. Thursday after it was closed in both directions early Thursday morning between Granite Creek (milepost 148) and east of the Rainy Pass Trail Head (milepost 158) due to wildfire activity, the state Department of Transportation said.

The Easy Fire was sparked by lightning Wednesday, 20 miles west of Mazama, within Skagit County, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

As of Thursday afternoon, it had spread to 300 acres and was 0% contained.

Steep terrain and the absence of any nearby roads are complicating fire response efforts.

“Our goal is to stop any new growth on the Easy Fire, but this is a really rough spot,” Chris Furr, Methow Valley District Ranger for the Forest Service, said on social media.

“Another day of low humidity, extreme heat and dangerous ground conditions isn’t going to help.”

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest officials are asking those in the area to keep a distance from fire crew efforts and their equipment.

“This is just a nasty piece of ground for ground and air resources,” said Furr. “In this first 24 hours we’re going to look at every option, every tool we have to safety corral this thing but we’re also bracing for the long-haul.”

No structures or homes were at risk as of Thursday afternoon.