U.S. Forest Service - Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

08/28/2026

Area Closures in Effect Across Eastern Washington Ahead of Labor Day Weekend--Know Before You Go!

(** Correction- 8-29-260 DeRoux Campground remains open, the DeRoux trailhead and trail is closed)

As wildland firefighters continue working on multiple large fires across the region, forest officials are urging the public to plan ahead for significant area closures now in place across the Okanogan‑Wenatchee National Forest. Many nearby federal, state and tribal lands are also affected by wildfires and closures, further limiting access across the region.

“As we head into the Labor Day holiday weekend, we encourage all visitors to check National Forest websites for the most up‑to‑date information on campgrounds, trails, and day‑use areas,” said Jared Bowman, Recreation, Trails, and Wilderness Program Manager for the Okanogan‑Wenatchee National Forest. “Many recreation sites are closed or affected by active wildfires, and air quality has been a significant concern on the east side of the Washington Cascades. Please stay informed and do your part to help ensure a safe and enjoyable weekend.”

The closures apply to roads, recreation sites, trails, campgrounds, day‑use areas and developed facilities across designated hazard zones, serving as an essential measure to safeguard the public and support ongoing wildfire suppression operations.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has a closure order in place for the Three Queens, King, and Goat Fires, restricting access to a large portion of national forest lands in Kittitas County. Approximately 50 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail between Snoqualmie Pass and Deception Pass remain closed, along with connecting trails such as Little Kachess, Rachel Lake, Mineral Creek, Gold Creek Valley, Pete Lake and Thorp Creek.

The expanded closure order closes the trails leaving from Esmeralda Basin Trailhead and from DeRoux Campground located up the North Fork Teanaway Road, FSR #9737; however De Roux Campground remains open. The closure includes the Long’s Pass and Ingalls Way Trails and a portion of the Ingall’s Creek Trail. For the full list of trail closures see the closure order.

Forest officials also note active closures associated with the Ptarmigan and Sinlahekin Fires, which affect portions of the Pasayten Wilderness and trail systems in the Methow Valley and Tonasket areas.

In Chelan County, a broad closure remains in effect for lands affected by the Little Giant Fire, limiting access to roads, campgrounds, trailheads and sections of both the north and south shore of Lake Chelan, and portions of the Entiat, Chelan and Wenatchee River Ranger Districts.

Despite widespread closures, many recreation opportunities remain open elsewhere across Washington and Oregon.

Land managers recommend that travelers plan alternate destinations and remain flexible as conditions and evacuation levels can shift quickly. Visitors should “Know Before You Go” by checking current area closures, fire restrictions, and road conditions before leaving home, and by having backup plans in case sites become inaccessible.

For current closure information, visitors should consult the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest alerts page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/alerts.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/newsroom/releases/area-closures-effect-across-eastern-washington-ahead-labor

08/27/2026

Late August early September weather outlook.👍

08/26/2026

Elevated and critical fire weather watch alerts are in place for our area Wednesday and Thursday.

Dry and breezy conditions will raise the risk for rapid fire spread across the region over the next couple of days.

Wednesday, Aug 26 (Elevated): Central Washington will see south winds shifting to the west of 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph and relative humidity levels between 15-25%.

Thursday, Aug 27 (Elevated to Critical): A Fire Weather Watch is in effect from 12 PM to 8 PM for parts of central Washington. Expect stronger west to southwest winds with gusts up to 35 mph in central WA and up to 25 mph across Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

08/26/2026

08/24/2026

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is seeking eight volunteers to serve on the Wenatchee-Okanogan Resource Advisory Committee (RAC).

This 15-member committee serves the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the Tonasket Ranger District of the Colville National Forest by providing recommendations for how Title II funds are allocated to projects. Applications will be accepted through December 4, 2026.

Title II funds are part of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act, which provides funding to counties for schools, roads, and other services. reviewed and recommended by a local Resource Advisory Committee. These projects help maintain roads and trails, restore watersheds, enhance habitat, reduce invasive species, and otherwise benefit National Forest System lands. The RAC reviews project applications and recommends investments that support both local communities and public lands.

The eight vacancies being filled represent the following interests:

• Organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups
• Energy and mineral development or commercial or recreational fishing groups
• Dispersed recreational activities
• Archaeological and historical interests
• Nationally recognized environmental organizations
• Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations
• State-elected office
• County or local-elected office
• Tribes within or adjacent to the area the RAC serves

Individuals who represent one or more of these fields, or related fields, are encouraged to apply.

Members serve four-year terms and are expected to participate in RAC meetings, typically held two days per year in Wenatchee, Washington. While in-person participation is encouraged, virtual options are available.

To read more about eligibility requirements and the application process for serving on the Wenatchee-Okanogan Resource Advisory Committee, Title II, and the Secure Rural Schools Act, visit the Committee Webpage or email Seth Kammer, Partnership Coordinator with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest ([email protected]).

08/24/2026

Lightning Fire Update August 23, 2026 – 5:30 p.m.

Fire managers continue responding to reports of holdover lightning fires from recent storms and have assisting partner agencies with their ongoing efforts. With fuels extremely dry, any new lightning will be highly effective at starting additional fires. Local resources will keep scouting for and addressing any new starts as conditions evolve.

Chelan Ranger District:

Devore Fire: The Devore Fire located approximately 3.3 miles north of Holden Village and the Holden Mine has been held to an estimated 2 acres. Firefighters continue mop up and patrol of the incident.

Water Tower Fire – Detected on 8/22 the Water Tower Fire has been held to an estimated 1 acre. Firefighters continue mop up and patrol of the incident.

Cooper Fire – Detected on 8/22 the Cooper Fire has been held at an estimated ½ acres. Firefighters continue mop up and patrol of the incident.

Methow Valley Ranger District:

Upper Smith Fire – Detected on 8/22 the Upper Smith Fire has been help to an estimated 1.5 acres. Firefighters continue mop up and patrol of the incident.

Smith Canyon – Detected on 8/22 the Smith Canyon Fire has been held to an estimated 6.4 acres. The fire is contained.

Goat Creek Fire – Detected on 8/22 the Goat Creel Fire has been held to an estimated .1 acre. The fire is contained.

08/23/2026

Lightning Fire Update August 22, 2026 – 7 p.m.

Fire managers anticipate receiving reports of additional holdover lightning fire from the lightning storms today to pop up in the next several days as fuels dry out and temperatures warm. More thunderstorms are anticipated with lightning potential predicted starting Saturday evening into the Sunday.

Chelan Ranger District:
Devore Fire: The Devore Fire, located approximately 3.3 miles north of Holden Village and the Holden Mine, is currently estimated at 2 acres. Smokejumpers are actively engaged on the incident, and the fire is now 100% lined on the ground with support from helicopter water drops. Overnight, dense timber inside the containment lines torched, but remained within those lines.

Smokejumpers will stay on site for the next several days as gusty outflow winds from passing thunderstorms, combined with red flag conditions may challenge existing containment. The fire is situated deep within the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

Water Tower Fire – Detected on 8/22 the Water Tower Fire is currently estimated at 1 acre. Resources responded and the fire is 100% lined. Fire fighters are mopping up the incident.

Cooper Fire – Detected on 8/22 the Cooper Fire is estimated at ½ acres. Resources responded and the fire is 100% lined. Firefighters are mopping up the incident.

For updates on the status of the Sisi, Stormy Mountain and Agnes Gorge Fires please visit the Little Giant Inciweb page at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/inci.../waowf-little-giant-fire or page: https://www.facebook.com/LittleGiantFire2026/

Cle Elum Ranger District:
For updates on the King Fire go to the Three Queens Fire Inciweb page at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident.../waowf-three-queens or page: https://www.facebook.com/threequeensfire

Methow Valley Ranger District:
Upper Smith Fire – Detected on 8/22 the Upper Smith Fire is currently estimated at 1.5 acres. Resources responded and the fire is 100% lined. Firefighters are mopping up the incident.

08/23/2026

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued a closure order for the Sisi Fire in the Chelan Ranger District for public and firefighter safety.

Areas affected are -
Pacific Crest Trail 2000 (PCT)
Agnes Gorge Trail 1281
Angnes Creek Trail 1272
Company Creek Trail 1243
Devore Creek Trail 1244
4th of July Basin Trail 1244.1
Swamp Creek Trail 1242

The closure protects public safety and supports firefighters working in steep and hazardous terrain. Maps and full details are available on the Forest’s alerts page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/alerts/sisi-fire-trails-closure

Please follow fire restrictions, use caution near fire-affected areas, and report any wildfire by calling 911.

08/22/2026

🚧Construction for replacing the Little Rattlesnake Bridge on Forest Service Road 1500/Bethel Ridge Road near milepost 1.18 is scheduled for Tuesday August 25, 2026. The existing bridge has aged over the years and is being updated with a newer structure. Closures at the site will occur while stagging construction materials and reopen intermittently. Please plan accordingly for potential delays if you are traveling within the area.

08/21/2026

Lightning Fire Update August 21, 2026 – 3:00 p.m.

Fire managers anticipate receiving reports of additional holdover lightning fire from the last major lightning storm to pop up today with the predicted red flag warnings and heat advisory. More thunderstorms are anticipated with lightning potential predicted starting Friday evening into the weekend.

Chelan Ranger District:
Devore Fire: Forest Service leads with aggressive initial attack by eight smokejumpers on the new Devore Fire burning 3.3 miles north of Holden Village/Mine on August 20, 2026, and is estimated at a 1.5 acres.

For updates on the status of the Sisi, Stormy Mountain and Agnes Gorge Fires please visit the Little Giant Inciweb page at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/inci.../waowf-little-giant-fire or page: https://www.facebook.com/LittleGiantFire2026/

Cle Elum Ranger District:
For updates on the King Fire go to the Three Queens Fire Inciweb page at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident.../waowf-three-queens or page: https://www.facebook.com/threequeensfire

Taneum Creek Fire started on 8/13 on the South Cle Elum Ridge, refined acreage 1.5 acres and is contained and is in patrol status.

Wenatchee River Ranger District:
Paddy Go Fire: Crews have successfully held this lightning-caused fire, first reported on August 10, at 15 acres. The fire is now 80% contained and will continue to be monitored by aircraft due to the inaccessible areas of the incident.

Picture: New holdover lightning start detected yesterday, Devore Fire, 8-20-26. The jumper’s parachutes can be seen in the meadow surrounded by dense timber in this rugged area of the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Photo: Blake Stokes, Smokejumper, Jump 9, North Cascades Smokejumper Base.