Hamilton Fire Near Winthrop: Evacuation Orders Downgraded as Crews Make Progress

Evacuation orders tied to the Hamilton Fire west of Winthrop have been significantly reduced after firefighters slowed the blaze’s forward progression, offering some relief to Okanogan County residents who were forced to flee their homes over the weekend. However, emergency managers are urging those in affected areas to remain vigilant through the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Rapid Growth Prompted Town-Wide Evacuation

The Hamilton Fire ignited around 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 28, in grass and brush terrain west of Winthrop. Within hours, driven by wind and dry fuels, the fire had grown to approximately 300 acres with what officials described as “no immediate signs of stopping.” Washington State Deputy Fire Marshal Amy Thornton noted the fire threatened homes, infrastructure, and public safety, prompting sweeping evacuation orders across a broad area.

At its peak, Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders were in effect for Hamilton Ranch Road, Black Bird Road, High Ridge Road, and Hamilton Ranch Loop Road. Level 3 orders were also issued for a wide swath of areas west of Winthrop, requiring residents to leave immediately.

Progress Made, Levels Reduced

Thanks to an aggressive initial attack combined with overnight humidity recovery and favorable wind shifts, fire managers were able to slow the fire’s spread. As of July 2, Okanogan County Emergency Management has downgraded evacuation levels across the board:

All former Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders have been reduced to Level 2 “Get Set”
All former Level 2 “Get Set” areas have been reduced to Level 1 “Get Ready” advisories

The fire is currently holding at approximately 82.7 acres. Suppression efforts are continuing, with road closures remaining in place in areas immediately adjacent to the fire perimeter. Residents and visitors are asked to respect all closures and avoid the area.

Henderson Fire Evacuations Also Reduced

A second Chelan County fire, the Henderson Fire near Lake Chelan, also prompted brief Level 1 through Level 3 evacuation alerts after it started July 1. That fire grew to 350 acres but was brought to 80% containment within 24 hours, and evacuation levels were promptly reduced by Chelan County Emergency Management.

What Residents Should Know

Even with evacuation levels reduced, fire managers caution that conditions can change rapidly, especially given the forecast dry pattern heading into the Fourth of July weekend. Residents in Level 1 and Level 2 zones should:

Have a go-bag packed and know two evacuation routes from their property
Ensure their address is visible from the road for emergency responders
Sign up for Okanogan County’s emergency alert system at okanogancounty.gov
Monitor Watch Duty, InciWeb, and county social media for real-time updates
Notify neighbors — especially elderly residents or those without internet access

Washington uses a three-level evacuation system: Level 1 means residents should be aware and ready to leave; Level 2 means residents should be prepared to leave on short notice; Level 3 means leave immediately. Residents should never wait for a higher level if they feel unsafe.

Looking Ahead