Heading for Mount Rainier? Wildfire closes section of SR 410 near Chinook Pass

A wildfire outside Mount Rainier National Park has closed a section of state Route 410 near Chinook Pass, creating a detour for some park visitors.

The Norse Peak Fire has grown to about 1,000 acres in the Norse Peak Wilderness.

Officials have closed a 15-mile section of SR 410 between the Chinook Pass summit and Hells Crossing as crews battle the blaze.

That means drivers coming from the east will need to detour on Highway 12 across White Pass to state Route 123, adding about a half hour to the drive.

The section of SR 410 in Mount Rainier National Park, including the Tipsoo Lake area, remains open.

It’s unknown how long the closure will remain in effect, but the state Department of Transportation estimates through the weekend.

The Norse Peak Fire reached the highway on Wednesday, then reversed direction and moved uphill to the north. Crews are removing hazardous trees and continuing to work on extinguishing the fire.

Updates on the fire’s progress can be found here.

Stacia Glenn: 253-597-8653

Cox Media Group