US 97 at Blewett Pass is closed milepost 149 and 178 due to the ongoing Labor Mountain Fire, and there is no estimated time of reopening, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
The road has been closed since Sept. 21, and continued throughout the weekend, conditions will be reevaluated on Monday, Sept. 29. However, WSDOT officials say there is no estimated time for the highway to reopen. Both the Labor Mountain Fire and Lower Sugarloaf Fire have prompted evacuation notices in areas of Chelan County.
The Labor Mountain Fire, according to fire officials:
- Started on Sept. 1
- Located 10 miles north of Cle Elum, WA
- Caused by lightning
- Burning 29,583 acres
- 7% contained
Lower Sugarloaf Fire, according to wildfire officials:
- Started on Sept. 1
- Located 12 Miles NE of Leavenworth
- Caused by lightning
- Burning 37,380 acres
- 32% contained
Travelers on US 2 between Leavenworth and Wenatchee and on US 97A between Entiat and Wenatchee should remain alert for emergency responders and evacuation traffic, WSDOT officials said.
