10 Wildfires Threaten the Pacific Crest Trail

Plumes of choking smoke, apocalyptic-orange skies, and rapidly-growing flames that claw their way upwards, scorching everything in sight: this is the reality of a western thru-hiker’s journey nowadays. Amidst a California heat wave, record dry spells, and innumerable lightning storms that have caught vegetation ablaze, the PCT is feeling the heat from nearly a dozen wildfires that threaten the trail. 

From small, controlled sparks that should remain on hikers’ radars to aggressive blazes causing closures and reroutes along the PCT, hikers will continue to face a plethora of adversity on their trek from California to Washington. 

Keep reading for updates on the 10 wildland fires that are encroaching on the PCT. For the most up-to-date closures and resources, please visit the PCTA’s closures site. 

Jump to:

• Southern California Wildfires
  • White Fire in Tehachapi Mountains
  • Vista Fire near Wrightwood
• Central California Wildfires
  • SQF Lightning Fires near Walker Pass and Kennedy Meadows South
• Northern California Wildfires
  • Shelly Fire in Marble Mountain Wilderness
  • Royal Fire near Truckee
  • Donomore Fire near California/Oregon Border
• Oregon Wildfires
  • Trail Fire near Diamond Lake and Mount Thielsen
• Washington Wildfires
  • Easy Fire north of Rainy Pass
  • Pioneer Fire near Stehekin
  • Shoofly Fire north of Stevens Pass

Southern California Wildfires

PCT Closed: White Fire in Tehachapi Mountains

Photo Credit: Kern County Fire

An evacuation order is currently in effect surrounding the Tehachapi Mountains due to a lightning strike that caused the White Fire on July 13. Managed by Kern County Fire, authorities are attempting to lessen the impacts of this 5,646-acre burn. At the time of writing this article, firefighters have contained 59% of the White Fire per CALFIRE.

The PCTA urges thru-hikers to stay off the trail south of Tehachapi between Cottonwood Creek (mile 535) and Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road (mile 558.5).

PCT Closed: Vista Fire near Wrightwood

Photo Credit: Vista Fire on InciWeb

The Vista Fire, which began July 17 near Lytle Creek in San Bernardino National Forest, has burnt approximately 2,936 acres and is 83% contained, per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). In its first few days, the fire spread rapidly at 0% containment; now, however, authorities expect it to soon be contained. Firefighters on the scene have successfully kept the flames at bay from spreading to popular areas such as Mount Baldy and surrounding ski resorts and hiking trails. 

According to the PCTA, the blaze has closed the PCT from Swarthout Canyon Road (mile 347.2) to Guffy Campground (mile 364.3).

Central California Wildfires

PCT Closed/Under Alert: SQF Lightning Fires near Walker Pass and Kennedy Meadows South

A section of the SQF fire (left) and fires map (right). Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service – Sequoia National Forest

Four fires set ablaze on July 13 in Sequoia National Forest — Acorn, Packsaddle, Trout, and Long — which currently burn at 10,489 acres with 0% containment at the time of writing this article. Caused by a lighting strike that ignited several fires, authorities are battling with limited resources due to hot, dry conditions and exhaustive fire activity across the state.

The Acorn Fire sits southwest of Isabella Lake near Breckenridge Campground. The Packsaddle Fire is north of Isabella Lake, four miles east of Fairview Campground and the Upper Kern River. Trout Fire burns northeast of Isabella Lake in the Dome Land Wilderness, south of Sherman Pass Road and southwest of Bald Mountain. And finally, Long Fire is northeast of Isabella Lake in the Dome Wilderness, southwest of the Long Valley Campground.

According to the PCTA, the PCT is closed or under alert between Highway 178 at Walker Pass (mile 653) and the South Fork of the Kern River bridge (mile 717.7). This closure is due to the SQF Lightning Fire, including the Long and Trout Fires.

Northern California Wildfires

PCT Closed: Shelly Fire in Marble Mountain Wilderness

Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service – Klamath National Forest

A massive wildfire broke out near the adored community of Etna on July 3, rapidly engulfing vegetation as it grows to 15,460 acres and only 18% containment. The current Shelly Fire overlaps with the footprint of a burn scar from a 2017 wildfire in the same area. The PCT, according to the PCTA Closures site, is closed between Etna Summit (mile 1,601.4) and Box Camp Trail #5533 (mile 1,628.3). Evacuation warnings extend north into the Grider Creek drainage.

According to the PCTA, “While the southern boundary of the closure area is at Etna Summit, walking north to that point is not recommended as it brings you close to the fire, into likely thick smoke, potentially closed roads, and to the town struggling with fire. Last we heard, of the 6,500 residents in Scott Valley 4,200 are evacuated. Similarly, walking north of Scott Mountain Summit (mile 1,561.9) or Carter Meadows Summit (mile 1,581.6) would bring you to the Highway 3 corridor and the communities impacted by fire.”

For thru-hikers circumventing the area, authorities advise against walking on Highway 3 due to smoke causing low visibility and high usage of this road for emergency vehicles. For more information regarding trail closures and public transit, please visit the PCTA’s website.

Alert: Royal Fire near Truckee

Photo Credit: Royal Fire via InciWeb

A small fire was reported on July 7 near Royal Gorge on the North Fork of the American River in Tahoe National Forest. As it stands, authorities were able to move quickly to secure the perimeter, successfully containing 95% of this 215-acre spark. The cause of the Royal Fire remains under investigation. 

Still burning west of Tinker Knob and five miles from the PCT, the PCTA urges thru-hikers to monitor the situation when traveling through this stretch. The PCT is currently open.

Alert: Donomore Fire near California/Oregon Border

Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service- Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Another small, 35-acre fire is smoldering just along the PCT near the California/Oregon border and appears to have had minimal growth since it started on July 16. Fire crews were able to assess the scene quickly after a lightning strike caught the land on fire and they continue to strengthen containment lines around the perimeter. 

The PCT remains open, but traverses right next to the Donomore Fire just south of the states’ border. For thru-hikers looking to avoid the area and poor air quality, the PCTA recommends detouring using dirt roads between Wards Fork Gap (mile 1,690.7) and Observation Gap (mile 1,696.6). The detour is 6.2 miles and requires hikers to utilize National Forest Roads 48N16, a section of 2025, 40S01 and 41S15.

Oregon Wildfires

PCT Closed: Trail Fire near Diamond Lake and Mount Thielsen

Trail Fire burning along Diamond Lake (left) and forest closure map (right). Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service – Umpqua National Forest

As has been the trend this week, another lightning-caused fire has grown quickly since July 16, estimated at 1,000 to 1,200 acres per the Umpqua National Forest. The Trail Fire, located near Diamond Lake and Mount Thielsen in Oregon, is causing major evacuations in the area, including the overlay along the PCT. Douglas County Sheriff has implemented a Level 3 (GO) evacuation level between Highway 138 (mile 1,849.5) and the Maidu Lake Trail (mile 1,867.7) for thru-hikers in the area. 

According to the PCTA, the PCT is also closed from the creek at mile 1,853.1 to the intersection with the Mount Thielsen Trail (mile 1,855.5)

Washington Wildfires

PCT Closed: Easy Fire north of Rainy Pass

The Easy Fire burning (left) and trail closures map including the PCT (right). Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service – Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

An active wildfire is burning near the Easy Pass area of Methow Valley in Washington, as of July 17. According to authorities, reports of a spark due to dry lightning storms caused this blaze with rapid growth due to extreme temperatures, record dry conditions, and difficult terrain with no road access. 

However, firefighters have been able to control the spread and the Easy Fire currently sits at 107 acres. Small but mighty, the fire has closed the PCT between Rainy Pass (mile 2,594.4) and Hart’s Pass (mile 2,625.3).

Alert: Pioneer Fire near Stehekin

Photo Credit: Pioneer and Easy Fires Information

Burning since June 8, firefighters are continuing to gain control of the Pioneer Fire, which has grown to 26,137 acres. Authorities expect to have this fire fully contained by October 31, which is currently holding at 14%, according to InciWeb. For PCT thru-hikers, the trail is currently open, but still smoldering near Stehekin and Lake Chelan.

Beloved communities Stehekin, Chelan, and Manson also remain open and welcome thru-hikers with open arms for a resupply, warm bed, and long-awaited town day. However, the PCTA advises hikers to carry extra food in the event that evacuations could interrupt access to the Stehekin Valley. 

“The PCT travels for 127.1 miles between Stevens Pass (mile 2,467.4) and Rainy Pass (mile 2,594.5). The stretch includes some of the most challenging and remote travel on the entire PCT. If you find yourself at High Bridge (mile 2,575) on the PCT and access to Stehekin is closed, the nearest road is 18 miles north on the PCT to Highway 20,” cautions the PCTA. 

Additionally, the Easy Fire (mentioned above) is currently affecting access via Rainy Pass, which could prolong thru-hikers’ resupply efforts even further.

Alert: Shoofly Fire north of Stevens Pass

Photo Credit: InciWeb

The PCT remains open two miles west of the Shoofly Fire, which is burning on Shoofly Mountain near Wenatchee Pass (mile 2,484). The U.S. Forest Service has closed Top Lake Trail #1506, Heather Lake Trail #1526 and Minotaur Lake Trail #1517, and Rainy Campground.

At 104 acres and 56% containment at the time of writing, authorities report the Shoofly Fire is staying contained within an old burn scar. Though burn activity is minimal, crews are cautious of the dangerous terrain and dead-standing trees caused by past fires. However, conditions are favorable as crews continue to fight this fire.