Hiker Headlines: 🔥, 🔥 and more 🔥

It’s Sept. 4. Wildfires are burning across the state, closing trails and roads, and the air quality is down. And Tribal leaders from Washington will lead a campaign across the Pacific Northwest to rally against a plan to repeal the Roadless Rule. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Use the wildfire and AQI forecast filters on WTA's Hike Finder Map to be wildfire-safe when planning your next hike. 

Glacier Peak Wilderness fire: The Red Mountain Fire near the Mountain Loop Highway has closed multiple trails in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, including the North Fork Sauk, Bald Eagle (to Curry Gap) and Pilot Ridge trails, as well as other trails, trailheads and roads. The Pacific Crest Trail remains open, but note that the closed trails are often used as connector trails to the PCT. 

Mount Rainier-area fire: The Wildcat Fire has closed the Pacific Crest Trail between its junction with the Bumping Lake Trail and the Chinook Pass trailhead, as well as multiple other trails in the Naches Ranger District, including American Ridge (the segment that falls within the William O. Douglas Wilderness), Dewey Lake, Goat Peak and Pleasant Valley Lake trails, as well as several other trails, trailheads and roads. 

North Cascades fires: Several lightning storms caused wildfires in the North Cascades near Ross Lake last week, and the Little Beaver Trail is closed from Ross Lake to Stillwell Camp. 

Teanaway-area fire: The Labor Mountain Fire has closed the Stafford and Standup trails. 

Entiat- and Wenatchee-area fire: The Lower Sugarloaf Fire has closed many trails in the Entiat Ranger District — including the trails in the Mad River, Tommy Creek and Tyee areas, as well as French Corral and Pine Flats Campground — and the Wenatchee River Ranger District — including Merry Canyon, Second Creek, Eagle Creek and other trails. 

Smoky air: Expect smoky conditions in many areas across the state. Use the AQI Forecast filter on our Hike Finder Map or in your Trailblazer mobile app to check the air quality in your area and the places you plan to recreate before heading out. And read up on how to stay safe while hiking during wildfire season! 

Native leaders campaign against Roadless Rule repeal: Leaders from the Se’Si’Le and Lummi Nation’s House of Tears Carvers will start a 2-week campaign on Monday, Sept. 8, in Olympia called “Xaalh and the Way of the Masks” to speak up against the Trump administration’s call to repeal the Roadless Rule. The campaign will travel 1,700 miles across Washington and Oregon, and end on Sept. 20. Check out some of the hikes that could be affected if the Roadless Rule gets repealed and join our Trail Action Network to learn how you can take action.  

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