Three Queens and Sisi Fires Burn Near Snoqualmie Pass Corridor with Low Containment

Two active wildfires burning in the Cascade Mountains near Snoqualmie Pass in King and Kittitas counties continue to challenge crews, with both fires at low containment levels as of the most recent updates from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC).

Three Queens Fire

The Three Queens Fire, located approximately six miles east of Snoqualmie Pass, has burned 9,562 acres and is only 20% contained. The fire's proximity to the I-90 corridor — one of Washington's most traveled mountain passes — has drawn heightened attention from incident managers and state transportation officials.

The Three Queens Fire has been the subject of frequent updates from the NWCC, which has been issuing briefings on the fire jointly with the King and Goat fires as crews manage multiple incidents in the same general area. The terrain is steep and heavily forested, limiting the effectiveness of mechanized equipment and requiring hand crews and aerial resources to anchor containment efforts.

The King Fire (3,304 acres) and Goat Fire (815 acres) are also in the region and are being managed as part of the broader Cascade fire complex response.

Sisi Fire

The Sisi Fire, which ignited August 14 from a lightning strike in the vicinity of the Little Giant Fire complex in Chelan County, has grown to 3,691 acres and remains at just 5% containment. The fire's low containment percentage reflects its relative youth and the challenging conditions crews face — rocky terrain, remote access, and continued dry vegetation — that have slowed perimeter control efforts.

Incident managers noted that the Sisi Fire is being managed alongside the Little Giant Fire, with resources shared across both incidents as the Little Giant reaches higher containment levels and frees up personnel for redeployment.

Why These Fires Matter

While both the Three Queens and Sisi fires are smaller than the mega-fires that dominated headlines in July and August, their strategic location and low containment levels make them significant concerns heading into late September. The Three Queens Fire's position near major transportation infrastructure and recreational areas in the Cascades makes it particularly worth monitoring.

Residents and visitors traveling through the Snoqualmie Pass area should check Washington State DOT travel alerts at wsdot.wa.gov and monitor fire updates at the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center's blog at nwccinfo.blogspot.com for the latest developments.

Resources Assigned

The NWCC is actively coordinating resources across all three Cascade fires. The Three Queens, King, and Goat fires have been addressed in daily joint updates since early September, reflecting the coordinated multi-incident management approach being used in the region. Aerial resources, hand crews, and engine resources are all engaged on the Three Queens Fire.