POMEROY, Wash. (AP) — A wildfire has closed the scenic North Cascades Highway, the most northern route through the Cascade Range in Washington state.
The state Department of Transportation Monday morning closed State Route 20 west of the town of Winthrop, between mileposts 170 and 177. The highway is popular with tourists in the summer months, linking the Methow Valley with western Washington.
The road provides access to North Cascades National Park and the Ross Lake National Recreation Area.
Meanwhile, a lightning-caused wildfire burning mostly in Asotin County in southeastern Washington has grown to more than 86 square miles and is only 20 percent contained.
The Dry Gulch Fire was being fought Monday by 536 firefighters as it burned through timber and grass in a remote area of the Umatilla National Forest.
It’s not predicted to be contained until the end of the month.