The Little Giant Fire on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has burned through more than 24,360 acres with zero containment as of early August, prompting Level 3 Go Now evacuation orders in Chelan County and threatening homes and critical infrastructure in the White River corridor.
Fire Location and Behavior
Burning approximately 30 miles northwest of Leavenworth, Washington, the Little Giant Fire is exhibiting active and unpredictable fire behavior, including backing, flanking, and uphill runs. A California Incident Management Team (CIMT CA Team 2) is assigned to the fire, which is also managing the nearby Dirty Face incident.
Crews are focused on protecting homes and structures along the White River corridor from Tall Timbers to Fish Lake. The rugged terrain and continuous hot, dry, and windy conditions have made containment efforts extremely difficult.
Evacuations in Chelan County
Residents in an area roughly 30 miles northwest of Leavenworth were ordered to evacuate Friday under a Level 3 Go Now order. Additional evacuation levels are in place in surrounding zones. Road and trail closures are in effect on portions of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest to protect public safety and allow firefighting operations.
Officials with the Town of Leavenworth have confirmed that the fire does not directly threaten the town itself, and downtown businesses, lodging, and attractions remain open and operating normally. However, some U.S. Forest Service trails and roads in the Lake Wenatchee and Chiwawa River area are closed.
Dirty Face Incident
The same incident management team handling the Little Giant Fire is also overseeing the Dirty Face incident nearby, adding to the complexity of resource management in the Chelan County area. Details on the Dirty Face fire's current acreage and behavior were not immediately available, but it is being tracked as a separate incident with shared management.
Resources and Weather
The combination of zero containment, active fire behavior, and approaching wind events has placed the Little Giant Fire among the most closely watched fires in the Pacific Northwest. Fire weather conditions are expected to remain critical through early this week, with relative humidity values potentially dropping into the single digits in some elevated areas and wind gusts capable of generating rapid spotting beyond established containment lines.
Residents in evacuation zones should not return home until officials lift orders. Monitor Chelan County Emergency Management, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest social media channels, and InciWeb for updates.