Apple Acres Fire near Chelan grows to 2,000 acres; evacuations, highway closures ordered
Jul 3, 2025, 10:07 AM
Apple Acres Fire grows to 2,000 acres Thursday morning. (Photo courtesy of Chelan County Facebook)
(Photo courtesy of Chelan County Facebook)
A brush fire that broke out between the city of Chelan and Alta Lake in Okanogan County has quickly grown to approximately 2,000 acres.
The fire, dubbed the Apple Acres Fire, started at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Chelan County Emergency Management.
The fire continues to grow and has now crossed into Okanogan County, per radio traffic obtained by Lake Chelan Now. It is also reported to be moving toward Highway 97.
Level 2 orders are in place for residents on the east side of Highway 97 to the entrance of Wells Dam, while level 1 evacuation orders are in place for residents of Antoine Creek Road near Chelan.
Apple Acres Road is closed to traffic at Highway 97 on the north side and Apple Acres Road and Antoine Creek Road on the south side. Traffic is down to one lane along SR 97 from Milepost 240 in Chelan County to Milepost 250 near Wells Dam.
There is no estimated time for the highway to fully reopen, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
Aircraft and emergency personnel are at the scene of the fire. Officials are investigating the cause of the fire.
Residents and passersby are warned to avoid the area and yield to emergency vehicles.
This is a developing story, check back for updates
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