Chestnut Fire Burns 1,508 Acres Near Chelan Butte, Washington; 50% Contained as of June 9

A wildfire ignited in the Chelan Butte Wildlife and Recreation Area southwest of Chelan, Washington on the morning of June 6, 2026, and rapidly grew to over 3,000 acres before firefighters established control lines that brought the blaze to approximately 1,508 acres and 50% containment by June 8. The Chestnut Fire, managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources Southeast Region, is burning brush and grass terrain south of Chelan Falls in Chelan County.

Fire Origin and Growth

The Chestnut Fire ignited at approximately 10:16 a.m. on June 6 in the Chelan Butte area, located roughly 1.5 miles west of Chelan Falls and 4.1 miles south-southeast of the city of Chelan. Hot, dry, and windy conditions drove rapid initial growth, with the fire spreading across steep, rocky terrain that complicated ground crew access. Smoke from the fire significantly impaired visibility in and around Chelan in the early days of the incident.

Threats and Infrastructure

The National Interagency Coordination Center's June 8 situation report noted that energy infrastructure is among the assets threatened by the Chestnut Fire. Fire crews worked to protect power transmission lines and distribution infrastructure in the vicinity of Chelan Butte, a priority given the area's role in regional power supply. Residential areas south of Chelan were also closely monitored as the fire burned in brush and grass fuels capable of fast, erratic spread.

Containment Progress

By Sunday, June 7, firefighters had made significant progress, with the fire's reported size dropping to 1,508 acres and containment reaching 50%. Incident managers credited calmer overnight winds and targeted aerial drops with helping crews establish firelines on the most active flanks. The Washington DNR's Southeast Region coordinated closely with local fire districts and state resources throughout the response.

Current Status

As of June 9, the Chestnut Fire remains active with fire behavior described as minimal, with some smoldering. Crews are working to improve containment lines and conduct mop-up operations on the contained portions of the fire. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

Residents in the Chelan Falls area should continue to monitor Chelan County emergency management communications and be prepared to act on any updated evacuation notices. Recreationists should avoid the Chelan Butte Wildlife and Recreation Area until the fire is fully contained and the area is reopened by land managers.