Mount Rainier National Park has closed the northeast portion of the park and alerted campers and hikers due to what officials described as the unpredictable path of the Norse Peak wildfire.
As of Sept. 5, when the closure went into effect, the fire was burning outside the east boundary of the park. As a result, the Sunrise Road is closed between its junction with State Route 410 near the White River and Sunrise areas of the park. The portions of SR-410 to Cayuse Pass and State Route 123 within the park are open.
Backcountry closures in the park include all of the trails and cross country zones on the east side, including the area from Frozen Lake to Panhandle Gap, and all of the trails with trailheads along SR-410 and SR-123 north of the Stevens Canyon entrance. Hikers in the closed area were being contacted when possible, according to park officials who said anyone planning on picking up hikers at trailheads within the closed area should contact the park at 360-569-6510.
The park issued a Level 2 evacuation advisory for the White River Campground. Campers have been encouraged to leave the campground and should be packed and ready to go in the event of a mandatory evacuation, officials said.
A Level 2 indicates there is significant danger in the area and people who choose to remain should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
Other road closures in response 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 U.S. Highway 12 over White Pass.
Updates on the fire can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
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