Washington state is managing eight large wildland fire incidents as of September 22, 2026, with fires distributed across the North Cascades, Okanogan Highlands, and Cascade Range near Snoqualmie Pass. While recent rainfall has moderated fire behavior across portions of the state, the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has cautioned that the fire season is not over, and dry conditions east of the Cascades could reignite active perimeters this week.
Major Active Fires
Little Giant Fire — Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
The largest active fire in Washington, the Little Giant Fire has burned 172,814 acres approximately 30 miles northwest of Leavenworth. As of the latest NIFC report, the fire stands at 81 percent containment. The fire has driven significant resource deployments and prompted evacuation orders in portions of Chelan County earlier in the season. Crews are currently focused on reinforcing control lines along the Entiat River corridor as afternoon winds increase.
Sinlahekin Fire — Washington DNR, Okanogan County
Located 12 miles west of Tonasket in Okanogan County, the Sinlahekin Fire has burned 166,005 acres and is now 92 percent contained. The Washington DNR is managing this incident, with crews in Okanogan County holding and reinforcing established control lines following recent rain-dampened fire activity. Mop-up operations are ongoing along the eastern flanks.
Ptarmigan Fire — Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Burning 20 miles northwest of Mazama in Okanogan County, the Ptarmigan Fire has consumed 25,166 acres and is 73 percent contained. The fire, which started July 17 and is believed to be lightning-caused, has an estimated suppression cost of $10 million. Crews are working to improve containment lines ahead of forecast breezy conditions.
Snoqualmie Pass Area Fires
Two fires near Snoqualmie Pass are generating concern as they burn near a critical I-90 corridor. The King Fire, located 7 miles northeast of Snoqualmie Pass, has burned 3,314 acres and has zero percent containment as of Monday. The Three Queens Fire, located 6 miles east of the pass, has consumed 9,566 acres at just 23 percent containment. Both fires are managed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Contact: (509) 213-5294.
Sisi Fire — North of Stehekin
The Sisi Fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has burned 3,731 acres approximately 10 miles northwest of Stehekin and stands at 15 percent containment. The remote location has complicated suppression efforts.
Border 2 Fire — North Cascades National Park
The Border 2 Fire in North Cascades National Park has burned 8,707 acres approximately 20 miles northeast of Marblemount and is 74 percent contained. The National Park Service is managing this incident.
State-Level Response
Washington state committed approximately $207 million to wildfire suppression between July and August 2026 — nearly two-thirds of the state's entire wildfire budget for all of 2025. The total acreage burned across Washington has approached 350,000 acres this season, representing one of the most active fire years in recent state history.
DNR officials have lowered the statewide wildfire preparedness level following recent precipitation but are urging residents in the Cascades and Okanogan Highlands to remain vigilant as dry west winds return this afternoon.