Rain eases wildfire threat, SR20 reopens, evacuation lifted

The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center received 2.5 inches of rain over the last 48 hours, and more is expected through Friday! All of the wildfires in the Upper Skagit Complex are diminished and the Goodell Fire is no longer considered a significant threat to the Environmental Learning Center or Diablo. The Washington State Department of Transportation opened State Route 20 at noon on Sunday, August 30, and our evacuation order was lifted. North Cascades Institute is currently working to reopen the Environmental Learning Center and assume normal operations, including the start of Mountain School as scheduled on September 14.
As Learning Center Director Kristofer Gilje remarked, “This all ended as fast as it started.”


We still have concerns about travel in the Newhalem Gorge. Even during non-fire years, this much rain brings debris down onto the roadway. The DOT is keeping the road clear, but take special care when traveling through the Gorge. You may encounter rocks and trees on the roadway, and be prepared to turn back or to be delayed in your return. Temporary, intermittent closures may be required for helicopter and heavy equipment work on power lines and towers. For the latest updates, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/northcascades or contact the North Cascades Highway Hotline at (360) 707-5055.
North Cascades National Park reopened the Newhalem Visitor Center and many campgrounds and trails. For current park conditions visit, www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/current-park-conditions.htm.
North Cascades Institute thanks each and every one of you for the continued outpouring of support. You’ve helped us evacuate the Learning Center safely, opened your homes to our displaced staff, voiced your concerns and sent us countless messages of hope. We continue to be grateful for you, for our partners in the National Park Service, Seattle City Light and US Forest Service and for the firefighters, first responders, National Guard, U.S. Army servicemen and women and others working on the wildfires across Washington State.
Your financial support is another way to help us in this tumultuous time of program cancellations and restructuring, lost revenue and displaced staff. Thank you for making a gift today at www.ncascades.org/support.
We also encourage you to support families in need on the eastside of the state. The Community Foundation of North Central Washington has compiled a list of resources at www.cfncw.org/fire.