Dry, windy conditions drive growth on Little Giant Fire

LEAVENWORTH — Fire activity intensified across the Little Giant Fire over Tuesday due to drier and windier conditions, according to fire officials.

As of Wednesday morning, Aug. 19, the fire has reached 137,294 acres, with rapidly changing and dynamic conditions expected to continue throughout the day.

Officials said crews were successful in catching spot fires in both the Chiwawa drainage and the Twenty-five Mile Fire footprint on Tuesday. Aviation resources were able to operate throughout the day, assisting with water bucket drops on the spot fires and cooling active areas along the fire’s edge.

In the Chiwawa drainage, firefighters focused on holding Forest Service Road 400 (FS 400). However, highly active flames from the main fire pushed across the road; firefighters shifted tactics to engage at alternate lines. Crews completed primary dozer lines along FS 6104 and the Upper Mad River Trail extending south to Maverick Saddle, which will serve as contingency lines to catch further fire spread and tie it into the Cougar Creek Fire scar. In the Alder Creek drainage, the structure protection group made significant progress reinforcing defensible space around structures. Masticators are continuing to clear fuels along Pole Ridge Road to construct secondary control lines.

In the Entiat River drainage, firefighters are continuing to mop up and improve the control line along Tyee Ridge Road. Multiple days of direct attack allowed firefighters to successfully halt the southward progression of fire east of Entiat River Road. Fire officials said a strategic firing operation in the remaining pocket of fuels at the end of FS 310 would be initiated if conditions allow.

Firefighters working along the primary dozer line from Baldy Mountain to Gene Creek and up to Devil’s Backbone are prepared to hold any eastward progression. Mastication crews continue strengthening ridgeline roads.

Near Lake Chelan, the active fire edge threw embers into the Twenty-five Mile Fire scar, creating small spot fires in the remaining fuels that crews quickly contained. Fire crews are continuing to reinforce contingency lines southwest of the fire perimeter. The specialized Wildland Fire Modules working in Lucerne are receiving supplies to support continued structure protection. Firefighters are maintaining and improving hose lays, sprinkler systems, and defensible space around structures. Crews and resources assigned to the incident remain available to respond to new fire starts.

Current evacuation orders for the area can be found on the Chelan County Emergency Incidents Map. Residents can also sign up to receive direct evacuation notifications via the Everbridge Emergency Alert Program. A Red Cross shelter has been established at Entiat Warehouse Community Church, 14916 US-97A, Entiat. For information, call 509-784-2710.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued a closure order for the Little Giant Fire Area, as well as a forest-wide campfire ban. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is also in effect over the fire area. Unauthorized drone activity is prohibited under this TFR, as firefighting helicopters and aircraft cannot fly when drones are present.

The incident management team is asking people to stay near the shore and clear of firefighting aircraft scooping water from area lakes and rivers.

The lightning-caused fire started July 15 in the upper Chiwawa River drainage of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, about 20-30 miles northwest of Leavenworth.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media