Blewett Pass closure continues due to wildfire
Sep 26, 2025, 3:42 PM | Updated: 3:43 pm
US 97 over Blewett Pass was closed due to the Labor Mountain Fire. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
A wildfire burning near Blewett Pass has forced the continued closure of US Highway 97 at least through the weekend, according to state transportation officials.
“Fire has spread to the other side of the road,” Communications Manager for the Washington State Department of Transportation’s North Central Region Lauren Loebsack said. “There are visibility issues, and there’s actually evacuation notices on the north side of Blewett Pass.”
The closure, which began on Sept. 21, comes as containment efforts remain challenging.
“Last night was a big night for the fire,” Loebsack said.
Drivers seeking alternate routes for cross-state travel are advised to use US 2 over Stevens Pass or Interstate 90 through Snoqualmie Pass and Vantage. Loebsack cautioned that traffic delays are likely, especially near the Vantage Bridge, where construction has reduced lanes to one in each direction.
“Plan ahead, understand that travel times are going to be longer than expected,” she said. “We’re really also asking people to be fire-wise out on the roadway. Both Snoqualmie Pass and Stevens Pass have had short closures due to brush fires alongside the road.”
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While September is typically fire season in parts of the Cascades, Loebsack noted that extended closures like this are rare for Blewett Pass.
“We’re all in it together now,” she said. “We don’t want to reduce another cross-state travel option with the pressure already of the US 97 Blewett closure.”
Loebsack also urged travelers to rely on official sources for road conditions.
“Third-party travel direction apps might be sending people in the wrong directions,” she said.
She advises drivers to use the WSDOT real-time travel map or the WSDOT app.
“That is us putting up what we know to be the best, you know, traffic conditions at that moment,” she said.
The situation will be reevaluated on Monday; however, there is no estimated time for reopening.
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
