Whatcom County area fire growing in size on steep terrain near historic mountain lookout
A wildfire sparked by lightning in the North Cascades National Park grew in size Monday near a historic fire lookout on Sourdough Mountain.
Park officials closed part of the Sourdough Mountain Trail and firefighters were attacking the flames on the ground, assisted by helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, according to National Park Service officials and an online report at WildCAD.
An elite “hotshot” firefighting crew was due at the scene Monday, NPS spokeswoman Katy Hooper said in an online statement.
“The fire was active on the western and southern flanks overnight and throughout Sunday in heavy dead and downed fuels,” Hooper said.
Flames and smoke were visible near the summit of the 6,113-foot peak in Whatcom County, according to posts and photos on social media.
“Warm and sunny afternoon weather, increased winds, and low humidity increased fire behavior on the lightning-caused Sourdough Fire,” NPS said online.
Skies in the area were sunny on Sunday with temperatures in the low 80s, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures cooled overnight but dry, breezy, and unstable air conditions were expected Tuesday through the rest of the week.
Hooper told The Bellingham Herald in an email Monday that the fire had grown to 25 acres, above the Diablo Dam on the Skagit River.
It was about two miles away from the historic fire lookout, Hooper told The Herald.
Airborne fire operations were interrupted for about 45 minutes Sunday because drones were being flown in the area, she said.
Officials at the Washington State Department of Transportation asked drivers not to pull over for photos along the two-lane road.
“There is a fire burning near (Highway) 20 in the area of the Diablo Lake Dam. So far, (Highway) 20 remains open but it is important that people do not stop in this area. Please keep in mind your safety and those of first responders and do not pull over to take photos or deploy drone aircraft,” WSDOT tweeted.
Sourdough Mountain towers above Diablo and the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center on Diablo Lake.
Its fire lookout, a frequent hiking destination, was built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This story was originally published July 30, 2023 at 4:58 PM.
