Chelan Hills Fire now 50% contained
Jul 8, 2026, 6:07 AM
The Chelan Hills Fire in eastern Washington. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
Firefighters are making a dent in the containment of the Chelan Hills Fire in Douglas County.
As of Tuesday night, the fire is now 50% contained, according to an updated fire map.
It’s burned over 9,735 acres and claimed one life.
The sheriff’s office told KIRO 7 on Monday that they found someone dead inside a truck after they’d been reported missing.
The deputies found a vehicle that had slid off the roadway and was subsequently consumed by the fire. Human remains were discovered inside the vehicle.
The fire started just after midnight on July 4 near mile marker 233 on U.S. Highway 97 in Orondo.
A cause has not yet been released.
Utilities are beginning to re-energize power lines in the fire area.
Evacuations
Evacuation orders remain at Level 3, the highest level, and everyone in the area is asked to get out now.
As of Tuesday, crews told KIRO 7 that road and fire conditions continue to be hazardous as emergency resources are very active in the incident area. For everyone’s safety, the public is asked to stay out of the area and avoid traveling on affected roadways. Hard road closures remain in effect.
You can see a map of evacuation orders here.
An evacuation shelter has been set up at Chelan Elementary School, which is at 324 East Johnson Avenue.
Destruction caused by the fire
According to the sheriff, dozens of homes and buildings have burned.
On Monday, KIRO 7 spoke to multiple families who’ve lost everything in this fire.
Mike and Kelly Noffsinger are one of those families. They lost their home as the fire spread up the canyon, according to an online fundraiser. Now the family is turning to the community, hoping to raise money for basics while they navigate insurance paperwork.
Another fundraiser, started on behalf of the Gilpin family, noted that in “a matter of hours, years of memories, cherished belongings, and the place they called home were gone.”
The family is now living in a travel trailer.
Help has arrived
State mobilization has been authorized for this fire, meaning that agencies across Washington are stepping in to help fight the flames.
Eastside Fire and Rescue announced on Sunday that it has deployed a team to help.
Snohomish County District 5 also sent crews to help.
On Monday morning, Key Peninsula Fire reported that they had deployed a tender to assist with the Chelan Hills Fire.
