Parks

Less than three hours from Seattle, an alpine landscape beckons. Discover communities of life adapted to moisture in the west and recurring fire in the east. Explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers. Listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. Witness a landscape sensitive to the Earth's changing climate. Help steward the ecological heart of the Cascades.

Map showing location of park.

Firefighter near a prescribed burn in an autumnal forest.

Prescribed Burn Planned at North Cascades National Park Service Complex to Improve Habitat and Reduce Wildfire Risk

2026-10-09

The National Park Service and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service are preparing for prescribed pile burns in Ross Lake and Lake Chelan national recreation areas throughout October and November, conditions and staffing permitting.

Firefighter on a gravel path sprays water from a hose near a yellow tent and trees by a lake.

August 20 North Cascades Fires Update

2026-08-20

Fire activity has been minimal over the past few days on the Border 2 Fire (estimated 7,296 acres in the United States, 43% contained) due to cooler temperatures, cloud cover, and a heavy smoke inversion.

Firefighters putting fire protection on log cabin

August 17 North Cascades Fires Update

2026-08-17

Fire activity and growth was minimal over the weekend on the Border 2 Fire (estimated 14,604 acres total; 6,680 acres in the United States, 31% contained) due to cooler temperatures, cloud cover, and a heavy smoke inversion. Aviation support has been limited due to poor air visibility and weather.

Firefighters in yellow shirts wrap a building in structural fire protection in a forested area.

August 14 North Cascades Fires Update

2026-08-14

Fire activity was minimal yesterday on the Border 2 Fire (estimated 14,336 acres total; 6,556 acres in the United States) due to an inversion with cloud cover with slight rain and hail. Aviation was limited due to poor air visibility and weather.

Suspension bridge in structure protection wrapping spanning a narrow lake surrounded by forested mountains under a hazy sky.

August 12 North Cascades Fires Update

2026-08-12

Fire activity is moderate on the Border 2 Fire (estimated 13,604 acres total; 6,052 acres in the United States) with recent growth mainly on the southeast flank of the fire due to hot and dry weather this week. A smoke inversion persists in the Hozomeen area with better visibility on the south end of the fire.