SR 20 reopens west of Winthrop

WINTHROP — Washington Department of Transportation officials have reopened a section of State Route 20, the North Cascades Highway, which had been closed due to fires in the vicinity.

The road was closed from Newhalem to the Silver Star Campground about 22 miles west of Winthrop, according to a DOT press release. It reopened Wednesday.

“A pilot car will escort travelers along a four-mile stretch of highway from Rainy Pass (milepost 158) to the Blue Lake trailhead parking lot (milepost 162) until further notice as crews continue working in the vicinity of the Blue Lake fire,” the press release said. “Pilot car operations may be suspended at times; however, the road will remain open to through traffic.”

Drivers along SR 20 are asked not to stop in the section that had been closed.

“Travelers are advised they may encounter firefighting personnel and apparatus along the highway,” the press release said.

“This remains an active fire area and the road is subject to closing again with little notice based on fire behavior, fire mitigation strategies or weather,” it said.

The highway was closed earlier in August due to the Sourdough Fire, which started July 29. The Blue Lake Fire started Aug. 15 about 20 miles west of Winthrop and closed SR 20 on Saturday when it crossed the highway.