New mapping shows Little Giant Fire at 171,302 acres

LEAVENWORTH — September is here, and firefighters are continuing to battle the Little Giant and Sisi fires across North Central Washington.

A virtual community meeting will be livestreamed on the Little Giant Facebook page Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to submit questions in advance by emailing 2026.littlegiant@firenet.gov with the subject line: Community Meeting. 

The Little Giant Fire is currently at 171,302 acres as of Sept. 1, with 49% containment. Officials say the increase in acreage is a result of more accurate mapping using infrared technology in inaccessible terrain.

Over Monday night, crews in the Stormy and Baldy Mountain area observed active fire behavior as they worked on mop-up and strengthening established containment lines. Crews also contained all hotspots east of Devil’s Backbone Ridge. 

Officials say a strategic firing operation north of Stormy Mountain is possible Tuesday, helping to finish building a containment line. 

In Twin Lakes, crews have spiked out in a remote area where they are constructing hand line towards Rock Creek. In Trinity, hand crews continue to prep Phelps Road to Chipmunk Creek to prevent fire spread to the northwest. 

On the south flank, fire in Cougar Creek has mainly moved in a northeasterly direction and is holding above Mad River. Alder Creek and Tyee Mountain are in patrol status where crews are checking the fire perimeter for hidden heat and backhauling excess equipment from previous operations. Crews have also been engaged in removing hazard trees along Chiwawa River Road.

According to officials, Tuesday’s priorities are to continue to hold and secure the existing perimeter, improve primary and secondary containment lines, and maintain structure protection throughout threatened communities and developed areas.

The Sisi Fire, located about 10 miles northwest of Stehekin, is at 2,244 acres with 0% containment. Fire officials report continuous fire activity along the northern perimeter, with movement on the western side of Heather Ridge.

Additional resources have been assigned to support firefighting operations and structure protection efforts. The Sisi Fire has a total of 154 personnel assigned to it as of Sept. 1. A little over half of the planned preparation work has been completed. Further work is underway in the eastern side of the Stehekin community, which is supported by U.S. Army active-duty soldiers. 

Officials warn that increased personnel and equipment in Stehekin may affect recreation and lodging opportunities over the holiday weekend; they advise residents and visitors to travel with caution.

Current evacuation orders for the area can be found on the Chelan County Emergency Incidents Map. Residents can also sign up to receive direct evacuation notifications via the Everbridge Emergency Alert Program.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued a closure order for the Little Giant Fire Area, spanning the Wenatchee River, Entiat and Chelan Ranger Districts. A forest-wide campfire ban is also in place. The North Cascades National Park issued a closure for portions of the Pacific Crest Trail (Agnes Creek Trail) as well as other trails and a cross-country zone. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect over the fire area. Unauthorized drone activity is prohibited under this TFR, as firefighting helicopters and aircraft cannot fly when drones are present.

The incident management team is asking people to stay near the shore and clear of firefighting aircraft scooping water from area lakes and rivers.

The lightning-caused fire started July 15 in the upper Chiwawa River drainage of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, about 20-30 miles northwest of Leavenworth. It is burning near the communities of Plain and Chelan, near Lake Wenatchee, and along the Lake Chelan shoreline. The Sisi Fire was also started by lightning Aug. 14.