A nearly 19,000-acre wildfire burning in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest to the east of Mount Rainier National Park on Tuesday prompted closure of the White River and Sunrise areas of the national park due to the Norse Peak fire's "unpredictable behavior."
"Currently, the Sunrise Road is closed between the junction with SR 410 near White River and Sunrise. The portions of SR 410 to Cayuse Pass and SR 123 within the park are open," a park release said. "Backcountry closures include all of the trails and cross country zones on the east side of the park including the area from Frozen Lake to Panhandle Gap, and all of the trails with trailheads along SR 410 and SR 123 north of Stevens Canyon Entrance. Hikers in the closed area will be contacted when possible. Folks who are planning on picking up hikers at trailheads within the closed area should contact the park at 360-569-6510."
In addition, campers in the White River Campground have "been encouraged to leave the campground and advised that they should be packed and ready to go in the event of a mandatory evacuation."
Other road closures due to the Norse Peak fire include SR 410 east between Cayuse Pass and the Bumping River Road and Crystal Mountain Boulevard. A detour for SR 410 traffic is available via SR 123 and US 12 over White Pass.
The fire was sparked by lightning on August 11. It was burning in timber and heavy logging slash.
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