Wildfire activity across Washington state has eased to minimal seasonal levels as late October weather brings cooler temperatures and increased moisture to most of the Pacific Northwest — but fire managers are not standing down entirely. At least 28 wildfires remain on the books in Washington as of this week, with smoldering perimeter activity persisting in rugged Cascade terrain where terrain and fuel conditions keep certain incidents alive well into fall.

Sisi Fire: Stehekin Threat Continues

The most actively managed fire in the state remains the Sisi Fire, burning approximately ten miles northwest of Stehekin in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The fire continues to threaten nearby residential structures and remains under active management, with area, road, and trail closures in effect. Fire behavior has been minimal in recent days, described by the National Interagency Fire Center as "timber litter" combustion with limited spread, but the remote and rugged location makes final containment a drawn-out process.

Stehekin is one of the most isolated communities in Washington, accessible only by boat, floatplane, or a lengthy trail. The combination of difficult access and the fire's position in dense Cascade forests has required sustained attention from incident management teams through the fall months.

Season's Largest Fires Enter Recovery Phase

The three largest fires of Washington's 2026 season — all now largely contained but leaving enormous footprints — are transitioning from suppression to post-fire recovery operations:

  • Little Giant Fire (Chelan County): 172,912 acres — the largest wildfire in Chelan County's recorded history, burning primarily on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
  • Kaiser Canyon Fire (Okanogan County): 138,293 acres — a major fire that swept through north-central Washington's dry ponderosa pine and rangeland landscape.
  • Modrite Fire (Ferry County): 57,594 acres — burning in the northeastern corner of the state near the Colville National Forest.

Together, these three fires account for the bulk of Washington's total burn footprint in 2026. Federal land managers are now focused on post-fire stabilization, hazard tree assessment, and planning long-term restoration of affected watersheds and timber stands.

Seasonal Transition Brings Some Relief

The arrival of fall weather systems has brought much-needed relief to fire-weary communities across eastern Washington. Cooler overnight temperatures have sharply reduced fire behavior on most active perimeters, and precipitation events in October have helped mop up hotspots that had persisted through September.

However, land managers caution that the 2026 fire season is not officially closed. Dead fuels remain critically dry across many eastern Washington landscapes, and any return of strong easterly winds — a seasonal pattern that can develop even in late October and November — could reactivate smoldering areas. Fire weather watches and wind advisories have already affected the Columbia River Gorge region this week, with west winds of 25–35 mph and gusts up to 50 mph forecast for the Eastern Gorge and Kittitas Valley.

Closures Remain in Effect

Residents, recreationists, and land users should be aware that many fire-related closures remain in effect across affected national forest lands in Washington. Trail closures, ORV restrictions, and area closures from the Little Giant Fire remain active through at least October 31, 2026 on portions of the Wenatchee River, Entiat, and Chelan Ranger Districts. Anyone planning trips into these areas should check with the relevant ranger district before heading out.

Fire information is updated regularly through the National Interagency Fire Center and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest websites.