NEWHALEM, WA – The closure along the North Cascades Highway has been extended.

SR 20 is now closed from milepost 120 in Newhalem to milepost 171 at the Silver Star gate, about 22 miles west of Winthrop.

The extension is due to new Blue Lake Fire, which began on Tuesday.

It’s burning a few miles southwest of Washington Pass on the Methow Valley Ranger District and is estimated at 10-15 acres in size.

WSDOT says people can use I-90, US 2 and 12 for east-west travel across the state during the closure.

For more information on trail and camp closures, visit the North Cascades National Parks Service website.