NW Fire Blog

Second Street Fire
Benton City, Washington

1,000 acres.
0% contained.
Wind-driven.

📸: Benton City Emergency Services

Second Street Fire
Benton City, WA

WILDFIRE UPDATE: West Richland & Benton City

To our members and neighbors in the areas affected by the wildfire, please stay safe and follow evacuation instructions from local emergency services.

For current evacuation information and Benton REA outage updates, find the links in the comments below.

Careeer Opportunity | Seattle Fire
Posted 9/18/26

Does your VFD need new wildland firefighting PPE? Apply today!

Update: 9/12/2026 1535 PT
🔥Little Giant | NW of Leavenworth & 🔥Sisi Fire | NW of Stehekin
Both are in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, WA State

The 🔥LITTLE GIANT FIRE started by lightning on July 15, 2026, about 30 miles northwest of Leavenworth, Washington. Today, the fire has burned about a minimum of 172,695 acres and has an 81% containment status. Fire behavior is still being observed as moderate with flanking, backing and torching. Structures are threatened. Evacuation orders remain in effect.

A helicopter from the Little Giant Fire assisted local agencies yesterday with a new initial attack – the Cumbo Fire, located near milepost 12 of WA-153 in the Methow Valley. The fire burned approximately 50 acres and was quickly contained with assistance from helicopter water drops.

CTD: $151.5 million.
Losses: 40 structures.
(Source: NIFC https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf)

The 🔥SISI FIRE also ignited by lightning, but this one was sparked on August 14, 2026, about 10 miles northwest of Stehekin in Washington State. Today, the fire still remains as active and threatening nearby structures. Evacuation notices, and closures of roads and trails remain in place. It has burned a minimum of 3,193 acres and has an 11% containment status.

Between the two incidents, resources are being combined and are being managed by the NW Team 12, a CIMT for resources: 24 engines, 17 crews, 21 heavy equipment, 14 water tenders, 6 helicopters and a total of 916 personnel.

CTD: $3.3 million.
Losses: 0.

Evacuations: An interactive map displays Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuations in Chelan County for communities near the fire. You can sign up for evacuation notifications in your area on Everbridge. Residents should be prepared for changes in evacuation levels, as fire conditions can change rapidly.

Linktree to evacuation map, closures, and more information: https://linktr.ee/LittleGiantFireInfo2026

Little Giant InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/inci.../waowf-little-giant-fire
Sisi InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident.../waowf-sisi-fire
Fire Information: (509) 776-6953, 8 AM – 8 PM
Email: [email protected]



📸: Little Giant Fire Info 2026
Fire on top of the mountain is the new Cumbo Fire.

Photo with an IC (platform) and fire personnel during a briefing.

It literally takes a "village" from the planners, finance, logistics, IMT, personnel, support folks (behind the scenes and behind some of the faces), dispatch, incident partners and all of those in between. They all deserve some love and thank you's for their hard work, dedication and putting their passion on display for what they do day in and night out. - Thank you!

NEW: 9/12/2026 @ 1520 PT
🔥Sycan Fire | Summer Lake, Oregon

The SYCAN FIRE ignited on September 11, 2026, from an undetermined cause about 20 miles southwest of Summer Lake in Oregon.

The fire has burned about 2,500 acres of timber. (per SCOFMP)

Firefighters worked through the night with 90% of the fire lined. Fire crews are actively engaged in suppression efforts and will continue working today to place line around the remaining portions of the fire. Crews will also focus on strengthening existing lines placed last night. Firefighters are supported by heavy equipment and aviation resources.

Fire behavior is being observed by Officials as active with wind-driven runs, short-range spotting and flanking.

Structures are threatened and prompting area closures.

About 90 personnel are assigned along with 7 engines, 1 helicopter, 8 SEATS, 1 LAT and 1 AA. It is being managed by the SCOFMP ICT3.

This is Incident -982S-260350.

CTD: $1 million.
Losses: 0.


📸: OHAZ | Univ of Oregon

UPDATE: 9/12/2026 1505 PT
🔥Sinlahekin Fire | Tonasket, Washington

The SINLAHEKIN FIRE was sparked by lightning on July 26, 2026, and appears to be one of the longer burning wildfires in the Pacific Northwest.

This fire is located about one mile west of Tonasket (Okanogan County), Washington State.

According to Fire Officials, the fire behavior has been observed due to Mild weather continues to keep fire behavior minimal, with no additional growth reported. The U.S. Forest Service has reduced the forest closure, reopening Toats Coulee Road and access to the Chewuch, Middle Fork, and Windy Peak trailheads for High Buck hunting in the Pasayten Wilderness. Fuel reduction and suppression repair continue along the western portion of the fire.

Toats Coulee Road and access to the Chewuch, Middle Fork, and Windy Peak trailheads are now open. Nine Mile, Iron Gate, and South Fork Toats Coulee roads remain closed. The Loomis State Forest and DNR recreation areas at Chopaka Lake, Cold Springs, and Disappointment also remain closed while fire crews continue working in those areas.

Fire behavior remains minimal along the northwest portion of the fire, with no additional growth. Crews continue extinguishing isolated pockets of remaining heat, primarily in stump holes, snags, and downed timber that could still threaten containment lines. Infrared flights continue to help firefighters identify remaining heat
near the fire line.

Closures and Recreation Access: U.S. Forest Service and BLM closures remain in effect, and the Loomis State Forest remains closed to recreational use. Fire managers and land management agencies are evaluating opportunities to reduce closures as conditions allow. Hunters and other recreationists should confirm current road, trailhead, and forest closures before entering the area.
For current forest closure information, visit:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/colville/alerts/sinlahekin-fire-closure-areas-tonasket-ranger-district

For current evacuation information, visit:
https://perimetermap.com/okanogan-wa

Fire Information Line: 509-287-4942 (call or text)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwafireinfo
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wanes-sinlahekin-fire
Email: [email protected]

The fire has burned about 166,021 acres and there is a 76% containment status which has been listed as of Saturday, September 12, 2026.

There are about 755 total personnel assigned.

📸: Central WA Fire Information
Maps/QR Code Credits: Fire PIO

Newly Reported: 9/12/2026 1445 PT
🔥Lucas Fire | Lake & Medocino Counties, California

On September 10, 2026, at 0918 hours PT, the LUCAS FIRE ignited from an unknown cause about 10 miles north of Upper Lake near the Lake County and Mendocino County line in Potter Valley, California.

DID YOU KNOW?
Fire Fact: There were 17 new wildfire incidents within the last 24 hours resulting in 0 new large incidents. - NIFC

Fire behavior remains to be extreme with sort-range spotting, wind-driven runs and running.

𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: 𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐩𝐬://𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞.𝐜𝐚.𝐠𝐨𝐯/𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔/𝟗/𝟏𝟎/𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐬-𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞

Temporary Evacuation Point:
𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀
𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻
𝟰𝟬𝟭 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁, 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗖𝗔 𝟵𝟱𝟰𝟱𝟯𝟰

Unified Command: Lake County Sheriff's Office and CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit.
IMT: North Bay IMT 3.

Day‑shift personnel are actively constructing direct control lines and strengthening existing ones under Red Flag Warning conditions. Multiple firefighting aircraft are overhead, delivering retardant, water, and real‑time intelligence to command staff.

There are approximately 1,291 total personnel assigned to this incident with multiple air tankers responding as they are needed. Additionally, there are 48 crews, 61 engines and 17 helicopters.

CTD: $3 million.

📸: CAL FIRE, ALERT California | UC San Diego (Fire cams 1-4)

NEW: 9/12/2026 @ 1438 PT
🔥Pouch Fire | San Luis Obispo County, CA

A wildfire named the POUCH FIRE ignited on September 11, 2026, at 1616 hours PT, burned approximately 193 acres and has now been 100% contained. However, this does not always mean the incident has been completely demobilized.

Per CAL FIRE Officials, this still remains as an active incident as of Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Lead Fire Agency: CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit

The fire broke out on Hwy 1 and Mail Pouch Lane, near Goldtree, California.

📸: CAL FIRE
Hashtags:

Happening now 9/11/26 1842 PT