Two fires burning deep in the Washington Cascades are progressing slowly but remain well short of containment as of October 3, 2026. The Sisi Fire near Stehekin and the Three Queens Fire east of Snoqualmie Pass are both managed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and continue to pose access and safety challenges for firefighting crews and the public alike.

Sisi Fire: Remote and Rugged Terrain

The Sisi Fire is burning approximately 10 miles northwest of Stehekin in Chelan County. As of the latest NIFC report, the fire has consumed 4,343 acres with only 29% containment. Fire behavior has been described as minimal, with backing, creeping, and smoldering in timber, timber litter, and dormant brush. Structures have been threatened, and area, road, and trail closures remain in effect throughout the fire area.

Stehekin, a remote community accessible only by ferry, floatplane, or foot, sits in the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. The Sisi Fire’s proximity to this isolated community has required careful coordination between National Park Service and Forest Service resources.

For information: (509) 776-6953

Three Queens Fire: Snoqualmie Pass Corridor Affected

The Three Queens Fire is located 6 miles east of Snoqualmie Pass, deep in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The fire has burned 9,575 acres and is 33% contained. Like the Sisi Fire, current behavior is minimal with smoldering and creeping, but the steep and remote terrain has complicated containment efforts.

Trail and road closures in the Three Queens area affect popular recreation corridors, including several trails leading into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Hikers and backpackers are urged to check current closure information before heading out.

For information: (509) 213-5294

What Firefighters Are Doing

Both fires have crews focused on establishing and reinforcing containment lines, mopping up hot spots along the fire perimeter, and conducting point protection of any threatened structures. Aerial resources including helicopters have been used to access remote sections of both fires where ground access is limited.

Weather forecasts indicate a warming and drying trend for the Northwest over the coming week, with above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation expected from October 6 through 12. Fire managers are monitoring these conditions closely to assess whether increased fire activity is possible.

Closures and Public Access

  • Area, road, and trail closures are in effect for both the Sisi and Three Queens fire areas
  • Visitors should check the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest website for up-to-date closure maps
  • The Lake Chelan area ferry service continues to operate but visitors should confirm access to Stehekin before traveling
  • Fire information: Sisi Fire on InciWeb | Three Queens Fire on InciWeb

NIFC national coordination teams continue to monitor both fires as part of the broader Northwestern geographic area response, which includes firefighting personnel from across the country still assigned to Washington state incidents.