White Pass to stay closed all weekend. Firefighting continues along Highway 12

White Pass will remain closed to Highway 12 drivers through the weekend, says the state Department of Transportation.

Firefighters continue battling a forest blaze along the highway and have to park in the road to avoid rocks and debris.

Eastbound traffic was being stopped three miles east of the summit, near the Falls Overlook by Dog Lake, Westbound traffic was being stopped eight miles east of the summit at Upper Tieton Road.

State officials said they will issue an update on Monday. There is some access for local and recreational traffic.

The pass has been closed since the Cold Creek fire was spotted on Monday night six miles east of the White Pass Summit in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The fire is burning in the trees on both sides of the highway.

Firefighters are using the highway as they battle the blaze, according a Northwest Interagency Coordination Center report. But falling rocks are making it dangerous for trucks to be parked too close to the side of the road.

Crews spent Thursday working to contain the fire along the south side of the highway, according to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. They also worked on the north side of the highway where the fire has expanded into the wilderness area north and west of Indian Creek

The fire grew to 610 acres and is 12 percent contained. There are 222 firefighters on the scene.

The fire was threatening 50 homes and people were told to be prepared to leave the area.

The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.

This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 1:54 PM.