Hiker Headlines: Fire closures across the state, WTA is hiring and more

It’s July 25. WTA is hiring for a donor relations officer! Be aware that there are many road and trail closures statewide to keep on your radar. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

The Miner's Complex Fire continues to burn in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Photo courtesy Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Service. 

Now hiring: WTA is hiring for a full-time donor relations officer. This position will be responsible for recruiting and sustaining WTA’s Leadership Circle of high-contributing donors, an important pillar of our community and vital to our work. The position is based in WTA’s Seattle office. The priority application deadline is Aug. 7. 

Wildfire closures: Wildfire season is in full effect and is impacting multiple regions, resulting in road and trail closures across the entire state. Please be aware that these fires are active and the situation is constantly changing — be sure to check trail conditions, trail closures and air quality due to smoke before hitting the trail. 

• Easy Fire (North Cascades): Highway 20 is closed in both directions between Easy Pass (milepost 148) and Rainy Pass (milepost 157). The following trails are closed: West Fork Methow Trail from Trout Creek to the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Cutthroat Trail beyond Cutthroat Lake, Easy Pass, East Creek, Boulder Creek and Mill Creek trails. The PCT is closed between Hart’s Pass and Rainy Pass.
  
  
• Pincer Two Fire (North Cascades): Cascade River Road past Marble Creek Campground (milepost 8) and the Cascade Pass trail are closed. The following trails are also closed: Bear Lake, Irene Ridge, Hidden Lake, Sibley Creek, Found Lake, Kindy Creek, Middle Fork Cascade and South Fork Cascade trails.
  
  
• Miner’s Complex Fire (Glacier Peak Wilderness): The following trails are closed: Suiattle River, Miner’s Ridge, Image Lake, Miner’s Ridge Lookout, Grassy Point, Buck Creek Pass, Milk Creek, Gamma Way, Sulphur Mountain, Miner’s Cabin, Canyon Lake, Upper Suiattle, Bachelor Creek and Downey Creek. The PCT is closed between Mica Lake and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest boundary.
   
• Retreat and Black Canyon fires (near Yakima): Highway 12 is closed eastbound at White Pass (milepost 151) and westbound at Oak Creek (milepost 183). Ahtanum State Forest is closed.
  
  
• Pioneer Fire (Lake Chelan): Stehekin is now closed to visitors by foot or ferry, which affects resupply options for PCT hikers. Visitors in the area are being evacuated. Several trails remain closed: Chelan Lakeshore, Purple Creek, Boulder Butte, Chelan Summit, Boulder Creek, Company Creek, Devore Creek, Stehekin River, Rainbow Loop and Rainbow Creek trails.
  
  
• Cougar Creek Fire (southeast Washington): A large region around the southeast corner of Washington is closed, which includes the Panjab trailhead and Wenatchee Guard Station.

Construction closures: Some construction projects will affect trails in the Snoqualmie area. Please respect all trail closures and do not bypass closure notices. 

• Denny Creek trail will be closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. from July 31 through Aug. 2 and from Aug. 13 through Aug. 15 for trail work. 
• Snoqualmie Valley Trail will be closed between Aug. 2 and Oct. 30 between NE 24th and NE 32nd streets for a culvert replacement project. There is no designated detour. 

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