Okanogan County Emergency Management

Okanogan County Emergency Management This is the official page for Okanogan County Emergency Management Operating within the core functions of prepare, prevent, response and recovery.

Okanogan County Emergency Management is Department under the Okanogan County Commissioners operating a fully functional EM Department, providing public safety services for life and property in Okanogan County. The EM department responds to both individual and large emergencies. This page is part of the OCDEM mission to provide information to citizens in Okanogan County for potential and actual emergencies through as many pathways as currently possible.

09/04/2026

UPDATE for the Sinlahekin Fire, Tonasket, WA.

Level 3 zones A250, A330B and A1360B has been reduced to Level 2.

Level 1 zones A200A and A208A remain a Level 1.

All other zones have been removed.

*The Okanogan County-Wide Burn Ban is STILL in effect.

**While evacuation Levels are being reduced, please remember that areas of recent burn scars remain vulnerable to flash flooding and debris flows.

Burned soil cannot absorb water, meaning even a brief, intense rain shower can trigger rapid flooding and mudslides.

Be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to take action if conditions change.
Okanogan County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.

Issued: 09-04-2026 at 03:32 PM

09/04/2026

On Friday, September 4, the Colville National Forest will be returning to Stage 1 Public Use Restrictions. The full forest order can be found on our website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/colville The biggest and most consequential change is that at developed recreation sites, inside of US Forest Service constructed fire rings in individual sites, campfires will be allowed. The list below includes all developed recreation areas that will be allowing campfires starting tomorrow:

Tonasket Ranger District
Beth Lake; Bonaparte Lake; Fourteen Mile; Kerr; Tiffany Springs; Long Swamp/Windy Peak TH; Lost Lake; Oriole; Salmon Meadows; Sugarloaf

Republic Ranger District
Ferry Lake Campground; Swan Lake Campground; Long Lake Campground; 10 mile Campground; Boulder Deer Forest Camp

Three Rivers Ranger District
Lake Leo Campground; Silver Creek Campground; Lake Thomas Campground; Jungle Hill Campground; Lake Gillette Campground; Gillette Campground; Lake Ellen West Campground; Lake Ellen East Campground; Little Twin Lakes Campground; Sherman Overlook Campground; Big Meadow Lake Campground; Canyon Creek Campground; Pierre Lake Campground; Trout Lake Campground; Davis Lake Campground; Wapaloosie Campground; Elbow Lake Campground

Newport Sullivan Lake Ranger District
Panhandle Campground; Gypsy Meadows; South Skookum Campground; Crecent Lake Campground; Pioneer Park Campground; Sullivan Creek Numbered Sites; Millpond Campground; Sullivan Lake Group Site; East Sullivan Campground; Moon Flats; Edgewater Campground; Browns Lake Campground; Noisy Creek Group Site; West Sullivan Campground; Noisy Creek Campground

09/04/2026

The Okanogan County-Wide Burn Ban is STILL in effect.

We want to remind everyone that Okanogan County’s burn ban remains in effect.

You may see information from other agencies stating that certain campfires are allowed. For example, the U.S. Forest Service is currently allowing campfires in designated permanent fire rings in some areas.

Please remember: Different agencies may have different fire restrictions. One agency allowing campfires does NOT mean they are allowed in all locations.

Before starting any fire, check the restrictions for the land and jurisdiction where you are located.

Check with:
• Okanogan County
• Washington DNR
• U.S. Forest Service
• Your City/Town
• Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

When in doubt — check first! Restrictions can change as conditions change.

Follow Okanogan County Emergency Managements Burn Ban Webpage for current information.

https://www.okanogancounty.gov/406/Burn-Ban-Information

Issued: 9/4/2026 8:46 AM

09/02/2026

UPDATE: Sinlahekin Fire, Tonasket, WA. Evacuation Levels reduced and re-size

Issued: 09-02-2026 at 03:46 PM

All Level 2 zones reduced to Level 1 Advisory except zone A110A north of Conconully will remain Level 2.

Level 3 zones west of the fire have been reduced in size and will remain in Level 3.

The Level 1 Advisory zone along the Canadian Border has been reduced in size and will remain Level 1.

If you have losses due to wildfires within Okanogan County in 2026, reach out to Jessica Farmer with Okanogan County Long Term Recovery Group at 509-846-5101.

Be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to take action if conditions change.

Okanogan County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.

Monitor the Okanogan County Emergency Management Active Incidents page for latest official updates.

08/28/2026

Due to increased fire activity on the Sinlahekin Fire and changing conditions along the northern portion of the fire, Okanogan County Emergency Management, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, and the Lower Similkameen Indian Band have issued updated evacuation and hazard notifications for areas near the U.S.–Canada border.

In Okanogan County, affected areas are being placed under Level 3 and Level 1 evacuation notices. Residents on the Canadian side of the border are also being advised of changing fire conditions through a Hazard Notice.

Residents in and around these areas should remain alert and prepared to take action. Fire conditions can change quickly due to dry fuels, wind, and increased fire activity.

Stay aware of your surroundings, monitor official emergency information, and be prepared to leave if conditions worsen or evacuation levels change.

View perimetermap.com for updated evacuation zones C100, C200 and A280A.

Issued: 8-27-2026 8:17 PM

08/25/2026

UPDATE: Sinlahekin Fire, Tonasket, WA. Level 1 Advisory zones REMOVED

Issued: 08-24-2026 at 05:49 PM

All Level 1 Advisory Zones have been removed.

The Okanogan County Long Term Recovery Group 501c-3 is assisting with the coordination of clean up and other recovery supports due to the 2026 Wildfire Events in Okanogan County.

If you have personal or business losses, please sign up with Disaster Case Manager Jessica Farmer at 509-846-5101 or [email protected]

UPDATE: Sinlahekin Fire, Tonasket, WA. Evacuation Levels ReducedIssued: 08-23-2026 at 04:11 PMEvacuation zones near Conc...
08/23/2026

UPDATE: Sinlahekin Fire, Tonasket, WA. Evacuation Levels Reduced

Issued: 08-23-2026 at 04:11 PM

Evacuation zones near Conconully were split to allow some areas to be reduced to Level 2.

Over the last few days, strong winds have stirred up ash and debris from fire-affected areas across the county, creating what may look like black smoke and causing dangerously poor visibility.

If you encounter an ash “storm”:

• Take shelter indoors if possible.

• Avoid breathing the dust and ash. Keep windows and doors closed and use appropriate respiratory protection if you must be outside.

• If you are driving and visibility becomes poor, slow down and pull completely off the roadway when it is safe to do so.

• Do not stop in the roadway.

Stay alert, avoid exposure to blowing ash, and use extra caution when traveling through affected areas.

Be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to take action if conditions change.

Okanogan County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.

Photos taken on 8-22-2026 just minutes apart at 10:49 AM. The top photo was taken first and then the second, minutes apart of the poor visibility due to the blowing ash. Photos were taken by Rob Inlow.

08/22/2026

FINAL UPDATE: 8/22/2026 4:43 PM

Forward progression of the fire has been stopped.

The Level 1 Advisory has been REMOVED.
___________________________________________________________

Level 1 - ADVISORY

Location: Libby Creek Road and Smith Canyon, Carlton, WA.

Issued: 08-22-2026 at 09:18 AM.

Level 1 ADVISORY for Wildland Fire near Libby Creek and Smith Canyon. Lightning in the area.

Be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to take action if conditions change.

Take action based on conditions in your area.

Do not wait for door-to-door notification.

Use caution and watch for emergency vehicles and first responders in the area.

Okanogan County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.

Again, this is a Level 1 ADVISORY for Libby Creek Road and Smith Canyon, Carlton, WA

Monitor the Okanogan County Emergency Management Active Incidents page for latest official updates.

08/21/2026

UPDATE: Sinlahekin Fire, Tonasket, WA. Sinlahekin Road OPEN

Issued: 08-21-2026 at 09:38 AM

Sinahekin Road is now open from Conconully to Loomis.

There will be significant number of Fire Crews and Heavy Equipment operations occurring on the Sinlahekin Road.

Please drive cautiously, be prepared for sudden stops, traffic pattern shifts, and heavy equipment entering the roadway.

Please provide workers and their equipment with a safe operating space.

Turn on your headlights so workers can easily see your vehicle.

Be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to take action if conditions change.

Okanogan County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.

Monitor the Okanogan County Emergency Management Active Incidents page for latest official updates.

Balky Hill Fire, Twisp WA8-19-2026
08/21/2026

Balky Hill Fire, Twisp WA
8-19-2026

Address

123 5th Avenue N, Rm 106
Okanogan, WA
98840

Telephone

+15094227206

Website

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