US 97 reopens after fire closes Blewett Pass near Leavenworth

Wildfire closes US 97 near Blewett Pass

US 97 is now open after a wildfire closed the highway near the summit of Blewett Pass on Tuesday.

The fire started at around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and quickly spread to several acres.

The Washington State Department of Transportation closed US 97 in both directions between milepost 171 near Leavenworth and milepost 184 near Blewett Pass.

Firefighters battle blaze

Firefighters from multiple agencies responded to the fire, and were able to contain it by Tuesday evening.

The fire burned approximately 10 acres, and there were no reports of any injuries or damage to structures.

Highway reopens

WSDOT crews worked throughout the night to clear the highway of debris, and US 97 was reopened to traffic at around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

However, drivers should still expect delays in the area, as crews continue to work to fully extinguish the fire and repair any damage to the highway.

Alternate routes

During the closure, drivers were advised to use alternate routes, such as state Route 207 or US 2.

SR 207 is a longer route, but it is mostly paved and suitable for all types of vehicles.

US 2 is a shorter route, but it is a more challenging drive, and is not recommended for large vehicles or RVs.