Know Before You Go: Fires Spread, Burn Bans in Effect for Labor Day Weekend

It's hot and dry out there, and, at least through the Labor Day weekend, there's no reprieve in sight. A lot of fires have expanded or started in the last couple of days, closing areas that are popular for hiking and backpacking. 

A view of smoke from the Jolly Creek Fire burning east of Snoqualmie Pass on Aug. 30. Photo/USFS via inciweb

• Fire danger continues into September
• Use caution when smoking and do not discard cigarette butts.
• Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other incendiary devices in any location on federal lands is always prohibited.
• If smoke or flames are visible, dial 911 or report at any ranger station.

If you haven't yet, check WTA's USFS Fires layer on our Hike Finder Map to see where the fires are; look up your destination on our Hiking Guide to see if its closed; or double-check with the agency that manages the area you're heading to to ensure that your Labor Day destination doesn't require some last minute rescheduling.

• Get info about wildfire and camping safety, as well as links to burn bans across the state.

Active Fires in Popular Areas

In the Teanaway, north of I-90 and east of Cle Elum, the Jolly Mountain fire has prompted evacuations and closed many of the trails in the Teanaway Community Forest as well as Forest Service lands beyond. 

The human-caused Diamond Creek fire has burned a whopping 52,681 acres in the Pasayten Wilderness, a remote but popular area east of Winthrop with miles of trails meandering through wide-open wildlands stocked with larch trees.

Three separate fires are currently burning on Highway 410, east of Mount Rainier, and near Mount Rainier National Park. As of September 1, State Route 410 east of Chinook Pass will re-open for daytime through-travel, under the guidance of a pilot car between Morse Creek (milepost 74.5) and Union Creek (milepost 79). Eastbound and westbound traffic will alternate, and drivers should expect at least 30 to 40-minute delays depending on traffic volumes. 

Firefighters are also responding to a new, small fire east of Lake Chelan that has also closed several trails.

• Plan on extended travel times in that area. And, know that fires are unpredictable and a full closure here may be reinstated with short notice.
• Rangers and hikers have also put out still-burning, illegal campfires burning in the backcountry in the last week. With fire danger high, please respect burn bans and help keep our trails, public lands and firefighter lives safe.

Burn Bans in effect

Effective Friday September 1, campfires or the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans, and barbeque grills, are banned in all portions of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. This includes North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, as well as National Park Service lands and campgrounds along State Route 20, Hozomeen, and the entire Stehekin Valley. Stoves or grills that are solely fueled by liquid petroleum fuels are allowed in these locations.

The burn ban complements similar restrictions in the adjacent Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Department of Natural Resources, and British Columbia, Canada.

Get info about wildfire and camping safety, as well as links to burn bans across the state.

Change of plans

Do you need to find somewhere new? WTA's Hiking Guide can help, as can our hiking features, trip reports, and Hike Finder Map.