LEAVENWORTH, Wash. — The Little Giant Fire, Washington's largest and most resource-intensive wildfire of 2026, now covers 171,302 acres at 49% containment following updated infrared mapping that captured previously unmeasured fire spread in rugged, inaccessible terrain. The increase in reported acreage does not reflect new growth — officials say it is the result of more accurate mapping of existing fire boundaries.

Recent Progress and Conditions

Wetting rains in late August allowed incident managers to downgrade evacuation levels in parts of the Entiat Valley and Chelan sectors, providing some relief for residents who had been displaced for weeks. Crews reinforced containment lines near Twin Lakes, prepped access roads, and removed hazard trees along Chiwawa River Road.

In the Stormy and Baldy Mountain area, crews observed active fire behavior Monday night while engaged in mop-up and line-strengthening operations. Officials said a strategic firing operation north of Stormy Mountain was possible Tuesday to help complete a containment line. In the Trinity area, hand crews continued prepping Phelps Road to Chipmunk Creek to halt fire spread to the northwest.

On the south flank, fire in Cougar Creek has been moving northeast and holding above the Mad River. The Alder Creek and Tyee Mountain areas have transitioned to patrol status.

A Fire of National Priority

The Little Giant Fire ignited via lightning on July 15–16, 2026, in the upper Chiwawa River drainage of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, approximately 20–30 miles northwest of Leavenworth. It has burned through mixed timber, brush, and steep terrain in both Chelan and Okanogan counties, threatening communities near Plain, Lake Wenatchee, and along the Lake Chelan shoreline.

At its peak, the Little Giant Fire was ranked the second national priority fire in the United States. More than 2,300 personnel have been deployed to the incident at various times, including firefighters from New Zealand and Australia, members of the Washington National Guard, and active-duty U.S. Army soldiers.

Closures and Restrictions

  • The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued a closure order covering the Wenatchee River, Entiat, and Chelan Ranger Districts
  • A forest-wide campfire ban remains in effect
  • Portions of the Pacific Crest Trail through the Agnes Creek corridor in North Cascades National Park remain closed
  • A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) prohibits all unauthorized drone activity over the fire area

Community Meeting Scheduled

A virtual community meeting was livestreamed September 2 on the Little Giant Facebook page. Residents with questions can contact the incident management team at 2026.littlegiant@firenet.gov.

Current evacuation orders and zones are available on the Chelan County Emergency Incidents Map. Residents can register for evacuation alerts via the Everbridge Emergency Alert Program.