North Cascades: A Level 1 Fire Advisory Is in Effect for Stehekin
A wildfire is active near Stehekin. Some roads and areas are closed, but local businesses stay open outside the affected zone.
If you're planning a getaway around Stehekin, in the northeastern corner of the North Cascades park guide, here's something to know before you go. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office has placed several areas around Stehekin under a Level 1 Fire Advisory, the "Get Ready" level. A wildfire is currently active in the area, and officials are asking visitors to keep it in mind.
Level 1 is the first of three steps on the scale. It doesn't mean an evacuation, but it does mean staying alert. Conditions can change, so it's worth planning your movements ahead of time. The advisory covers a specific stretch, running along Stehekin Valley Road from Harlequin Bridge to High Bridge, plus Company Creek Road and the side roads that branch off it.
Closures are in effect within the park. Some roads and areas aren't open right now while crews work to get the fire under control. If your route runs through this valley, check the current closures on the park's Fire Closures page before you set out, since the exact boundaries can shift from one day to the next.
One bit of good news for anyone who already booked. Stehekin's businesses are still open and continue to welcome visitors outside the closed areas. So your trip isn't necessarily off, as long as you adjust your driving and steer clear of the zone under watch.
Here's our advice. Keep an eye on official updates until further notice, plan a backup route, and follow every posted closure to the letter. During fire season, a closed road is never a pointless hassle. It's a safety call. Build a little flexibility into your plans, and Stehekin is still well worth a visit.