Two fires on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest remain the most active and least-contained blazes in Washington state as of early October 2026: the Sisi Fire northwest of Stehekin and the Three Queens Fire near Snoqualmie Pass. Though both fires are exhibiting reduced intensity compared to peak season, each continues to threaten structures and restrict public access to popular recreation areas.

Sisi Fire: Remote Terrain Near Stehekin

The Sisi Fire, burning approximately 10 miles northwest of Stehekin in Chelan County, has grown to 4,343 acres and remains only 29% contained as of the NIFC October 4 situation report. The fire is burning in closed timber and timber litter in some of the most remote terrain in the North Cascades.

Fire behavior has been minimal in recent days, characterized by smoldering, creeping, and backing — conditions typical of the transition into fall fire season when lower sun angles and higher overnight moisture reduce fire intensity. Despite the reduced spread potential, the fire is not expected to achieve full containment quickly, given the inaccessibility of much of its perimeter and the steep, forested terrain that limits ground crew operations.

Structures remain threatened in the Stehekin River corridor, and emergency trail and road closures are in effect throughout the affected portions of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT Northwest Team 12) overseeing the much-larger Little Giant Fire in Chelan County is also managing the Sisi incident, reflecting the consolidated approach common in multi-fire seasons.

Stehekin — accessible only by boat, floatplane, or foot — faces particular logistical challenges when fire threatens the area. Residents and visitors should maintain awareness of evacuation conditions and check with Chelan County Emergency Management before traveling to the community.

Three Queens Fire: Steep Terrain East of Snoqualmie Pass

The Three Queens Fire is burning six miles east of Snoqualmie Pass in Kittitas County, within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. At 9,575 acres and 33% contained, it is Washington's second-least-contained active fire.

The fire is burning in timber and understory in steep, complex terrain — conditions that have historically made containment challenging and dangerous for firefighters. While fire behavior has moderated compared to peak summer activity, the combination of rugged topography and abundant fuels means the fire could still respond aggressively to wind events.

Trail closures remain in effect in the affected portions of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest near Snoqualmie Pass. Hikers and recreationists are strongly urged to check the USFS Pacific Northwest Region's recreation alerts before venturing into the area. The fire has been burning since mid-July, making it one of the longer-running incidents of the 2026 Washington fire season.

Contacts and Real-Time Information

Both the Sisi and Three Queens fires are managed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, with updates available by calling (509) 776-6953. Real-time incident information is available on InciWeb:

  • Sisi Fire: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/waowf-sisi-fire
  • Three Queens Fire: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/waowf-three-queens

With ERC values declining across the Northwest and overnight moisture recovery improving, fire managers expect conditions to become more favorable for containment in the coming weeks. Until full containment is achieved, the public should respect all closure orders and avoid the fire perimeters.