Travel Alerts

Updated July 25, 2024

Visitors and residents can find travel advisories and alerts related to transportation, wildfires, and other natural impacts below. Please check back often for updates. State of Washington Tourism recommends that visitors consult local official resources for the most up-to-date information on safety and closures.

Wildfire Updates & Resources

You can view the status of large wildfires on the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center’s Large Fire Information page. Check the state Department of Transportation website for road conditions and closures in your travel area.

For air quality and smoke conditions, head to the Washington Smoke blog, which is a partnership between state, county, federal agencies, and Tribes. For tips on wildfire safety, check out Recreate Responsibly’s wildfire resources.

Pioneer Fire, Lake Chelan

As of July 24, Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation levels remain in effect around the Pioneer Fire on Lake Chelan. Visitors to Stehekin have been asked to evacuate the area. In the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, a closure order is in effect for much of the Chelan Ranger District north of Lake Chelan and portions of the Methow Valley Ranger District.

Retreat Fire, Naches

As of July 24, DNR has temporarily closed the Ahtanum State Forest due to increased activity from the adjacent Retreat Fire burning near Rimrock Lake. All Ahtanum State Forest recreation sites will be closed until further notice, except for the Ahtanum and Ahtanum Meadows campgrounds. The closure also extends to the BBQ Flats and Cascade Camp recreation areas and Wenas Valley Green Dot Road system.

DNR Statewide Burn Ban

Due to hot, dry conditions, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has implemented a burn ban from July 10 to Sept. 30, 2024, on all lands it manages. The order bans outdoor burning, campfires, and the use of charcoal briquettes. This date may be extended or shortened depending on fire conditions.

For updates on campfire restrictions on public lands, check the DNR burn ban page and press releases.

Major Closures & Traffic Advisories

Highway 20 Through North Cascades National Park

As of July 21, Highway 20 (North Cascades Highway) remains fully closed between Granite Creek (MP 148) and Easy Pass trailhead (157) due to wildfire activity from the Easy Fire. There is currently no ETA for reopening.

Interstate 90 lane reductions between North Bend and Vantage

Multiple projects of varying size will impact travel on this stretch of I-90. Beginning in late May, traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction seven days a week with the following exceptions:

Labor Day weekend: All lanes open from 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, until 8 p.m. Monday Sept. 3.

Travelers will experience long delays eastbound on Fridays and westbound on Sundays during the summer travel months and are encouraged to choose alternate routes. For the most up-to-date travel impacts, sign up to receive emails.

Olympic Peninsula Construction Projects

Travelers to the Olympic Peninsula and Pacific Ocean Beaches should prepare for extra travel time in 2024 due to numerous construction and maintenance projects. Key impacted areas include:

McCleary and Elma to Hoquiam, Ocean Shores, and Moclips. Work zones are located on State Route 8, Highway 12, and State Route 109.
Highway 101 north of Aberdeen to Port Angeles and points beyond.
State Route 104 between Highway 101 and the Hood Canal Bridge.

Work will result in reduced speeds, lane shifts, occasional detours, and extended wait times. For a complete list of projects and detailed information, explore projects by county.

Johnston Ridge Observatory

Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mount St. Helens is closed for the foreseeable future following a landslide on State Route 504 around milepost 51. For updates on when the visitor center will reopen, check here .

Helpful resources:

New Mount Rainier Timed Entry Reservations

For summer 2024, Mount Rainier National Park is piloting a timed entry reservation system that aims to improve the visitor experience by reducing wait times, congestion, and other impacts during the busy summer months. Here’s a brief look at what to expect: 

Reservations are required from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily May 24-Sept. 2 for the Paradise Corridor and July 4-Sept. 2 for the Sunrise Corridor.
Reservations are for a designated 2-hour entry slot and must be booked for the specific corridor that aligns with your plans. 
A portion of timed entry reservations will be released in batches 90 days in advance, with another portion released at 7 p.m. the night before for next-day travel. 
A reservation covers one personal or rental vehicle and is in addition to the park entrance fee or park pass. 
Reservations are only available through Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.

Some areas of the park do not require a timed entry reservation. These are:

State Route 410 and State Route 123 on the east side of the park.
Ohanapecosh, including the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center and Ohanapecosh Campground.
Tipsoo Lake on the eastern border of the park.
Carbon River, including the Carbon River Ranger Station, at the northwest corner of the park.
Mowich Lake in the northwest corner of the park.

Additional exceptions for reservations include: 

Visitors with in-park lodging reservations at the Paradise Inn, National Park Inn, or Cougar Rock Campground can enter the park after 1 p.m. on the first day of their reservation and throughout their stay.  
Visitors traveling on foot or by bike. 
Visitors with climbing permits, wilderness permits, or any other special-use permit. 
Visitors entering before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m.  
Visitors entering the park with a tour.

Helpful Resources:

Ferry Disruptions

Washington State has an extensive network of ferries connecting visitors and residents to points throughout Western Washington. For alerts, schedule changes/route cancellations, and more, please check the Washington State Ferries alerts bulletin.