From the front lines to home: Pierce County firefighters wrap up two-week battle

Local firefighters battling what may be the largest wildfire in Chelan County history have now returned to the Puget Sound region.

That’s after two long weeks of nighttime firefighting efforts and helping crews put out flames on the slopes of the Cascade Mountains.

Three firefighters, including a fire lieutenant, returned to Central Pierce Fire & Rescue to report for duty back home.

The district’s Lieutenant Hash deployed as a Strike Team leader trainee on the front line of the Little Giant Fire, in the upper Entiat River Valley.

For 14 night shifts, Hash and fellow firefighters Deese and Loenke staffed one of the Central Pierce brush trucks and patrolled the area.

Lt. Hash and Firefighters Deese and Loenke spent two weeks assisting state and local fire crews at the Little Giant Fire. (Photo: Central Pierce Fire & Rescue)

The strike team they worked with protected homes and put out several smoldering hot spots that flared back up. Their efforts ensured that the fire did not damage or destroy any additional structures.

Fire officials said the long deployment to assist crews in the Entiat Valley involved working long nights on the fire line, and then trying to get a few hours of sleep during the day.

Then repeating that for several days in a row.

Fire officials said the experience gave Central Pierce firefighters valuable experience they can bring back home.

“We’re proud of the work they’ve done and glad to have them home,” Central Pierce Fire & Rescue wrote on X.

The Little Giant Fire in the upper Entiat Valley has increased in size to more than 143,000 acres and has destroyed at least 30 structures. The fire is still only 15% contained. (Photo: Central Pierce Fire & Rescue)

As of Saturday, the Little Giant Fire has burned more than 140,000 acres.

Authorities said that makes it the largest wildfire to burn entirely within Chelan County borders.

A lightning strike ignited the fire on July 15 in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

Now, more than five weeks later, it has burned 140,379 acres.

The fire remains just 15% contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Washington National Guard crews continue to help with firefighting efforts.

They are working closely with the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

In addition, captains with the California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) assisted in training and staffing Army National Guard hand crews.

The fire is now on the verge of surpassing the size of the devastating Tyee Creek Fire of 1994.

According to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, the Tyee fire burned 135,000 acres of land in the Entiat Valley.

But other reports estimated the fire burned 140,000 acres.

Officials said the Little Giant Fire has destroyed more than 30 structures.

A Chelan County Emergency Management team surveyed areas from Snow Park down through the valley.

Its assessment concluded the fire destroyed two primary residences, 13 secondary homes or cabins, and more than 20 outbuildings.

It’s still threatening 173 structures in Level 3 evacuations.

Although the Little Giant Fire is the largest fire ever to burn within the boundaries of Chelan County, DNR officials said the Lightning Burst Fire of 1970 burned 188,000 acres across Chelan and Okanogan counties.