Response escalates for growing Little Giant Fire

OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST — The Little Giant Fire will mark the first large fire for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest this year, reaching an estimated 245 acres as of July 21.

The fire is burning in a remote part of the Chiwawa River Drainage west of the 19-Mile Campground, and 41 miles northwest of Leavenworth. Recent warm temperatures and moderate winds have pushed the fire to increase in size, prompting a local Type 3 Incident Management Team to assume command on Monday, July 20. Due to steep rocky terrain and many down trees, personnel are using indirect tactics to combat the incident.   

One dozer and a 21-person crew have been assigned to the fire. Crews spent Tuesday working along the Little Giant trail, clearing the area for more direct and safer access to the fire. U.S. Forest Service equipment is repairing washouts above the gate and doing brushing along the Forest Service 6200 Road, also known as the Chiwawa River Road. 

That road is closed to the public at the gate above Atkinson Flat Campground, with assessments for additional trail and road closures ongoing. 

The Chelan County Sheriff's Office has issued a Level 1 Fire Advisory (Stay Alert) for the Trinity Area. The affected area is Chiwawa River Road (Forest Service Road 6200) from the Trinity Trail head area to Atkinson Flat Campground, including all side roads and campgrounds.

The remote fire was started by lightning on July 15, and is currently burning in dead and down fuel remaining from the Maple Fire in 2003.

Updates for the fire can be found on InciWeb, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Facebook, or by calling the fire information line between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7p.m.: 509-776-6953. Smoke and air quality updates can be found on the Washington Smoke Blog.

Level 2 fire restrictions are still in effect for public lands on the Forest. 

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media