MAZAMA, Wash. – A portion of State Route 20, also known as the North Cascades Highway, was closed Monday so emergency crews can respond to a fire burning near Mazama.
The crews are responding to the Cedar Creek Fire, which was sparked by lightning over the weekend in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Due to the wildfire, travelers planning to head east on the North Cascades Highway will need to alter their plans.
WSDOT has fully closed the highway between mileposts 170 and 177, about 20 miles west of Winthrop near Early Winters.
Motorists planning cross-state travel should plan to use U.S. 2 or I-90 until further notice.
Authorities aren’t sure when the highway will reopen.