Chelan Hills Fire

Chelan Hills Fire
Part of the 2026 Washington wildfires
Deer moving across burn scar
Date
  • July 4, 2026 – July 10
LocationDouglas County, Washington, United States
Statistics
Burned area9,861 acres (3,991 ha; 15.408 sq mi)
Impacts
Deaths1 civilian
Injuries0
EvacuatedRoughly 500
Structures destroyed>100
Cost≥$9.1 million (2026 USD)
Ignition
CauseUnder investigation, believed to be human

The Chelan Hills Fire was a destructive wildfire that burned in the U.S. state of Washington. The fire ignited on July 4, 2026 and rapidly spread one mile (1.6 km) north of Orondo. The fire has destroyed at least 100 structures and killed one person. The fire burned 9,862 acres (3,991 ha) and reached 100% containment on July 10.

Cause

The Chelan Hills Fire was reported at 12:05 am Pacific Daylight Time.[1] While the exact caused is under investigation, officials believe the fire is human–caused.[2] and a criminal investigation is underway.[3]

Progression

Crews began responding at 12:29 am.[4] The fire was running uphill and threatened structures. A second alarm was requested and level three evacuations[a] were ordered. U.S. 97 was closed from mileposts 232 to 235. The fire continued spreading throughout the night and more evacuations were ordered,[6] growing to an estimated size of 2,000 acres (810 ha) that morning.[7] The fire jumped McNeil Canyon and prompted evacuations for all residents in the area. An evacuation center opened at Chelan Elementary School.[8] The Chelan Hills Fire reached 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) by 2 pm[1] and 5,000 acres (2,000 ha) by 5 pm. Terrain and visibility conditions were impacting suppression efforts and several structures were destroyed.[9] A Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) employee stated the fire was around 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) by 10 pm.[1] The fire was estimated to have grown to 15,000 acres (6,100 ha) the morning of July 5. Officials reported it was likely over 100 structures had been destroyed,[10] and U.S. 97 was reopened.[1] The size was revised to an estimated 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) and crews began damage assessments.[6]

On July 6, fire activity was primarily wind–driven, with short–range spotting.[11] The size was lowered to 9,756 acres (3,948 ha) and containment increased to 20% that night.[6] Power was restored to several areas near the Chelan Hills Fire on July 7.[1] A red flag warning was issued that day.[12] 185 personnel were responding.[13] Containment increased to 50%.[14][6] Another red flag warning was in effect the next day.[1] The Red Cross placed the evacuation shelter on standby. Fire crews achieved 75% containment.[6] The Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) downgraded several level three evacuations to level two on July 9. Crews primarily conducted repair work on areas impacted by suppression, and DCSO employees continued damage assessments.[1] The Chelan Hills Fire was fully contained on July 10[15] at a finalized size of 9,861 acres (3,991 ha).[6]

Effects

Estimates place the structure toll of the Chelan Hills Fire at 100,[16] roughly 75% of the structures in the burn area. Evacuations were ordered in McNeil Canyon and along the Columbia River.[10] The cost of the fire is at least $9.1 million 2026 USD.[17] Roughly 500 people were evacuated.[18] U.S. 97 was closed most of July 4 and McNeil Canyon Road remains closed.[19] One local business was reportedly overwhelmed when firefighters ordered 150 pizzas.[20] One civilian fatality was reported when human remains were found in a pickup truck that slid off the road and burned. The person was previously reported missing.[21] Three firefighters were injured when the fire engine was overrun by flames.[22]

Growth and containment table

Fire containment status Gray: contained; Red: active; %: percent contained;
Date Area burned Containment
July 4[6] 9,210 acres (3,730 ha)
0%
July 5[23] 9,735 acres (3,940 ha)
0%
July 6[24]
July 7[6] 9,861 acres (3,991 ha)
50%
July 8[6]
75%
July 9[6]
95%
July 10[6]
100%

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ In Washington, there are three evacuation levels. Level one means to prepare to evacuate, level two means to be ready to evacuate with little to no notice, and level three means to leave the area immediately.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 McGever, Caleb; Waite, Olivia; McNamara, Mazie; Dipping, Meredith (July 6, 2026). "Human remains found in car burned by Chelan Hills Fire near Orondo". KHQ-TV. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  2. ↑ O'Cain, Pete (July 6, 2026). "Buildings burned in Chelan Hills Fire could exceed 100". The Wenatchee World. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  3. ↑ Garrett, Shawn (July 10, 2026). "Chelan Hills Fire destroys beloved Hobbit Inn near Chelan". KING-TV. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Chelan Hills Fire Information". InciWeb. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Upriver fire evacuations: what level 1, 2, and 3 mean". KHQ-TV. July 6, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Chelan Hills Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  7. ↑ Simpson, Andrew (July 4, 2026). "Chelan Hills Fire grows to 2,000 acres, prompts state mobilization". Lake Chelan Mirror. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  8. ↑ "'Get Out Now' evacuations : Chelan Hills fire jumps canyon and spreads northeast". KOMO-TV. July 4, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Terrain, wind and visibility impacting Chelan Hills fire efforts, as blaze grows to 5,000 acres". KING-TV. July 4, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  10. 1 2 "UPDATE: New mapping shows significant overnight growth of Chelan Hills Fire; structures lost to fire could exceed 100". Your Source One. July 5, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  11. ↑ Simpson, Andrew (July 6, 2026). "Human remains found as Chelan Hills Fire continues to burn". Quad City Herald. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  12. ↑ Howard, Megan (July 7, 2026). "Firefighters have containment lines around Chelan Hills fire". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  13. ↑ Gaitan, Catalina (July 7, 2026). "9,800-acre Chelan Hills fire that killed 1 investigated as 'human-caused'". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  14. ↑ Nguyen, Lynnanne (July 8, 2026). "Chelan Hills Fire believed to be human-caused, 1 dead, $9.1M in damage, 50% contained". KATU. KOMO-TV. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  15. ↑ Robertson, Kipp (July 10, 2026). "19 homes destroyed in Chelan Hills Fire that is now 100% contained, sheriff's office says". KING-TV. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  16. ↑ Joy, Hannah (July 6, 2026). "Chelan Hills Fire destroys more than 100 structures in Douglas County". KXLY-TV. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  17. ↑ Nguyen, Lynnanne (July 7, 2026). "Chelan Hills Fire believed to be human-caused, 1 dead, $9.1M in damage, 50% contained". KATU. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Chelan Hills fire: 100 structures lost, 1 dead as criminal investigation begins". KING-TV. July 7, 2026. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  19. ↑ Pfeffinger, Ramsey (July 6, 2026). "1 dead as WA's Chelan Hills wildfire prompts 'Go Now' evacuations". KCPQ. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  20. ↑ Yoo, Sharon (July 5, 2026). "With over 100 structures destroyed in Chelan Hills fire, community rallies for locals and crews". KING-TV. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Chelan Hills Fire now deadly, 'Go Now' evacuations underway". KIRO-TV. July 6, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  22. ↑ "3 Pend Oreille County firefighters injured in Chelan Hills Fire". KHQ-TV. July 9, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Chelan Hills 07-05-26". InciWeb. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Chelan Hills 07-06-26". InciWeb. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
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