Little Giant, Sisi Fires receive rain over weekend

LEAVENWORTH — Weekend rain over the Little Giant and Sisi Fires suppressed activity while complicating response efforts.

On the Little Giant Fire, some ridgetops received as much as one to one-and-one-quarter inches of rain. As of Monday, Sept. 14, the fire is holding at 172,695 acres with 81% containment.

Officials anticipate moist fuels for the next several days with the potential for more rain on Tuesday. A warming trend later this week could bring about drier fuels and increased fire activity.

While heavy precipitation slowed fire activity, it limited operations. Saturated, softened soils and roads across the fire area created access challenges, compromised safety, and increased the risk of additional resource damage.

Firefighters and heavy equipment encountered limited access along the Chiwawa River corridor and Forest Service Road 8220. Work continued along paved roads, and crews backhauled hose and pumps from First Creek Road where they are no longer needed.

Officials said Monday’s operations were dependent on soil and road conditions, with firefighters and heavy equipment entering areas only when safe to do so. Scouts assessed planned work areas to evaluate conditions.

On the southeast portion of the fire, excavators will soon support suppression repair activities to expand repair capabilities, according to officials. The Pole Ridge Road suppression repair project is nearing completion. Suppression repair in the Entiat River corridor will ramp up with specialized equipment, including a PONSEE, a harvester that can remove hazard trees efficiently while limiting sawyers' exposure.

The Sisi Fire, located about 10 miles northwest of Stehekin, received significantly less rainfall than the Little Giant Fire. However, high humidity and about a quart-inch of rain kept the fire largely dormant. As of Monday, the Sisi Fire is 3,193 acres with 5% containment. Officials are also concerned that warming trends later this week could increase the potential for renewed fire activity.

Chipping modules are continuing to reduce fuel loads and strengthen community protection lines, progressing from Lake Chelan toward the fire area.

A forest closure order is in place for the Wenatchee River and Entiat Ranger Districts and fire restrictions on forest have been reduced. There is a closure for North Cascades National Park for portions of the PCT (Agnes Creek Trail) as well as other trails and area closures. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are in effect over the Little Giant and Sisi Fires; unauthorized drones are prohibited within the TFRs.

Current evacuation orders for the area can be found on the Chelan County Emergency Incidents Map. Residents can also sign up to receive direct evacuation notifications via the Everbridge Emergency Alert Program.