Okanogan County Emergency Management

03/11/2026

High Wind Warning from 3/11/2026 5:00 PM to 3/12/2026 11:00 AM PDT for Okanogan County, WA, issued by National Weather Service Spokane.

For continued updates: https://www.weather.gov/otx/

If you have recently done any outdoor burning make sure it is fully extinguished. Think about what could accompany strong winds, possible power outages, falling trees, and blowing debris.

Issued: 03-11-2026 11:49 AM

03/03/2026

Okanogan County Fire Districts and Emergency Management strongly encourage you call Okanogan County Sheriff Dispatch at 509-422-7232 option 4 before burning.

Yes, Clearing the vegetation from around your home, increases the odds of returning to a standing home if a fire happens to come ripping by this summer.

If you decide to burn that vegetation, what is one thing that you should do?

Make a call to Okanogan County Sherriff Dispatch before you start Burning.

A phone call may prevent the fire department from being dispatched to a well-organized controlled burn.

“Call before you Burn”- It is quick, easy, painless, and will more than likely stop a few hearts from racing when the fire alarm goes off.

Be sure to check with your city, town, Department of Ecology (air quality) and DNR for their current burning rules/restrictions.

Remember please call Okanogan County Sherriff Dispatch, 509-422-7232 option 4, to let them know when and where you’ll be burning.

Ask around to your friends, family, neighbors and even your enemies if they received this message, if not, ask them to go to https://www.okanogancounty.gov/EM/EverbridgeAccount to sign up for Okanogan Alerts to stay informed during EMERGENCIES.

Issued: 03-02-2026 05:51 PM

12/19/2025

UPDATE : Police Activity SPUR Road

Okanogan County Sheriff Office is asking that persons remain clear of Spur Road and Summit Lake Road due to an ongoing investigation.

There is no Threat to the Public.

Spur Road is closed from Lone Pine Lane to Summit Lake Road.

Summit Lake Road is closed from Box Spring Road to Spur Road, Ellisforde, WA area.

Issued: 12-19-2025: 08:55 AM

12/19/2025

Okanogan County Sheriff Office is asking Citizens to remain clear of Swanson Mill Road and Spur Road, Ellisforde WA.

Pollice Activity in the area.

Issued: 12-19-2025: 06:55 AM.

12/13/2025

2025-12-13 SR 20 Closure UPDATE

State Route 20 remains CLOSED from Mile Post 179 to 184, east of Mazama. The roadway is impassable at Mile Post 181 due to a steady flow of water and debris that has eroded the pavement away causing a two-foot-deep channel, approximately 50 feet wide. Water and mud are also flowing across the roadway in several other locations over a mile-long stretch.

Early evening Wednesday, December 10, 2025, heavy rains caused a water and debris flow down Little Boulder Creek. The creek left its normal channel, first flowing to the east, moving dirt, rocks and debris across private property and SR 20 as it headed towards the Methow River. Sometime during the night, Little Boulder Creek again changed its course higher up the canyon, now directing its force more to the west, again moving mud, rocks and debris through a farmyard across an open field, crossing SR 20 and into the Methow River. This new path is where SR 20 is now impassable.

Several residences in the area have been impacted and damaged.

Washington State DOT has closed SR 20 at Lost River Road, (Mazama) and at Weeman Bridge intersection to Goat Creek Road. Traffic is being detoured onto Goat Creek Road to get around the closure.

Residents living along SR 20 within the closure can still get to their homes on either side of the washout.

WSDOT is working with several agencies including DNR, USFS, WDFW and adjacent private landowners to come up with a solution to deal with the flow over SR 20.

The water is currently receding, but Spokane National Weather Service is predicting another rain event to come into the area starting early this coming Monday morning the 15th lasting through Wednesday the 17th, possibly causing localized flooding, flood slides.

WSDOT does not have an estimated time for SR 20 to re-open.

https://wsdot.com/Travel/Real-time/Map

West of Early Winters, SR 20 was also impacted with 5 mud/debris flows totally blocking the roadway not allowing travelers to gain access to the Silver Spur gate closure area.



Throughout Okanogan County all rivers and creeks rapidly rose due to this last rain event and are currently starting to recede but are expected again to rise near last week’s levels, starting this Monday the 15th. Follow river levels at www.water.noaa.gov

Just a reminder: Okanogan County does not provide materials or services to private property owners experiencing flooding. Okanogan County Public Works maintains county-owned roads and bridges; it does not maintain private roads, private bridges or private property.

If you need sandbags, (not filled) contact Okanogan County Emergency Management at 509-422-7206.

Okanogan County Emergency Management is monitoring State and Federal declarations for any assistance that may become available.

Okanogan County Emergency Management will update as information is available.

Photo taken 12-12-2025 3 PM at SR 20 Mile Post 181.2 looking west.

Issued 2025-12-13 1:00 PM

12/11/2025

UPDATE: 12-11-2025 10:24 AM

State Route 20 remains CLOSED at this time due to water and debris over the roadway.

Okanogan County Emergency Management will continue to update as information is available.
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Washington State Department of Transportation has advised that State Route 20 is closed between Mile Post 179.5, Lost River Road, Mazama east to Mile Post 184.5, Goat Creek Road, due to water and debris over the roadway.

Local traffic should use Goat Creek Road.

Residents in the area should be aware of their surroundings and changing conditions due to the steady rain fall. Active flooding in the area.

Issued 12-10-2025 10:40 PM

10/14/2025

As of tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 12:01 AM (midnight) the Okanogan County Burn Restriction will be lifted.

Natural vegetation may now be burnt within unincorporated areas of Okanogan County.

It is strongly encouraged to call Okanogan County Sheriff Dispatch at 509-422-7232 option 4 before burning.

Be sure to check with your city, town, and DNR for their current burning rules/restrictions.

Visit the DNR website at www.DNR.wa.gov for their current fire danger level and outdoor burning restrictions for lands managed by DNR.

(DNR burning restrictions may apply to your private property if you are assessed a DNR Fire Control tax. This can be found on your county tax statement).

ALL fires SHALL be attended to at ALL times.

On the Colville Reservation contact Mt. Tolman Fire Center for burning rules/restrictions, 509-634-3100

Visit the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest or the Colville National Forest Websites for fire danger and outdoor burning restrictions for lands managed by the Forest Service.

For Air Quality burn bans go to DOE and climate information.

BURN RESPONSIBLY, do not be the one trying to explain how your controlled burn turned into an uncontrolled burn, and be a good neighbor and don’t let it smolder.

For more information see Okanogan County Emergency Managements Burn Ban/Restriction Website: https://www.okanogancounty.org/.../eme.../new_page/index.php

Issued: 10/14/2025 12:37 PM

09/19/2025

Okanogan County Government offices have been experiencing intermittent delays of service with the network and phone system.

This has caused phone lines to be down.

The County IT Department has been working diligently to resolve these issues.

Some offices are still experiencing phone delays.

A follow up notification will be sent out once the issues have been resolved.

09/11/2025

FINAL UPDATE: Sugar FIRE, Conconully, WA.

Issued: 09-11-2025: 10:37 AM.

Sinlaheken Road from pavement end near Conconully to Fish Lake Road has re-opened.

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/wa0107-sugar

09/09/2025

FINAL UPDATE: Roundabout FIRE, Tonasket (Aeneas Valley), WA.

Issued: 09-09-2025: 10:27 AM.

All evacuation Levels for the Roundabout Fire have been removed.

For more information go to, Okanogan County Emergency Management's Active Incidents WEB Page.

Okanogan County Emergency Management reports on incidences and emergencies within the county.

09/08/2025

UPDATE: Roundabout Fire, Tonasket (Aeneas Valley), WA.

Issued: 09-07-2025: 05:59 PM

Roundabout Fire is mostly Dozer lined.

Air support was very affective.

Local Fire District 16 units have been released, DNR will be on the fire overnight.

Roundabout Road Evacuation Level has been Down Graded to a Level 2 Be Ready.

Frosty Creek Road has been Down Graded to a Level 1 Advisory.

Cobey Creek Road remains at a Level 1 Advisory.

Thanks to the Aeneas Valley Community Church for opening their doors for evacuees.

Persons should be aware of their surroundings and take action if needed.

Emergency Management will be monitoring the situation and will update as needed.

For more information go to, Okanogan County Emergency Management's Active Incidents WEB Page.

Alert of active incidences/emergencies in Okanogan County