While most of Washington's major 2026 fire incidents are winding down, the Sisi Fire in Chelan County continues to pose an active threat this week. Burning approximately 10 miles northwest of Stehekin on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, the fire had grown to 4,352 acres as of the latest InciWeb update, with containment at just 29%.

Fire Behavior and Conditions

The Sisi Fire is burning in a mix of timber and closed timber litter — dry, compacted organic material on the forest floor that can sustain prolonged smoldering even in cooler weather. Firefighters report moderate fire behavior including backing, flanking, and smoldering. While active runs and spotting have moderated compared to peak summer conditions, the fire's remote location and complex terrain continue to challenge suppression efforts.

The U.S. Forest Service has the fire staffed through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest fire organization. Helicopters are being used for water drops in areas inaccessible to ground crews.

Structures Threatened

Several residences in drainages northwest of Stehekin remain threatened by the Sisi Fire's perimeter. Stehekin is an extremely remote community at the head of Lake Chelan accessible only by boat, floatplane, or trail. The community's isolation makes both evacuation and structure protection logistically challenging, and fire managers have been working closely with Chelan County emergency management to coordinate resources.

Residents and visitors in the Stehekin area are urged to stay aware of changing conditions and be prepared to evacuate on short notice if fire behavior escalates.

Area Closures

The U.S. Forest Service has implemented area, road, and trail closures around the Sisi Fire perimeter. Key closures include:

  • Multiple trail corridors within the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness area
  • Forest roads in the upper Stehekin Valley and adjacent drainages
  • Portions of the Pacific Crest Trail in the immediate fire area

Hikers and recreationists planning trips to the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area or adjacent wilderness are advised to check current closure orders on the Okanogan-Wenatchee NF website before heading out.

Outlook

Fire managers say containment progress will depend heavily on weather. A period of dry, warmer-than-normal conditions this week across north-central Washington could allow the fire to become more active before fall precipitation arrives. Incident commanders are cautiously optimistic that the natural transition to autumn will slow fire spread, but the fire's terrain and fuel conditions mean containment could still take several weeks.

For the latest updates on the Sisi Fire, visit InciWeb at inciweb.wildfire.gov or follow Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest on social media.