10/16/2026
Good News! More Forest Areas Reopen After the Little Giant Fire
UPDATE: The Pole Ridge area on the Wenatchee River Ranger District is also open.
We are happy to announce that as of yesterday, October 14, the updated Little Giant Fire Closure Order Superseding 06-17-07-2026-46 reduces this closure area, as precipitation has moderated fire behavior and more of the repair work to roads and dozer and handlines has been completed.
This provides more access to areas in Chelan County, including Slide Ridge near Chelan, Mud and Potato Creeks, Mad River and Grouse Mountain in the Entiat. Areas in the Wenatchee River Ranger District that are now open include Second and Van Creeks and the White River drainage, and other popular hunting and recreation areas.
No areas within the revised Little Giant fire perimeter are open to public access due to hazards such as burned trees, holes due to burned roots below the ground surface, unstable slopes and the potential for debris flows. Crews are still working within the remaining area closure order to patrol areas of smoldering fire, finish fire repair work and backhaul equipment no longer needed across a 270-square-mile fire footprint.
Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) work will be ongoing as well to address immediate risks to life, safety, property and critical natural resources to inform emergency actions and responders. This work is especially important in the Entiat drainage. Please help keep crews safe and expediate this work by staying out of these areas. For details check out this recent news release on these post fire hazards, and available resources, posted on the forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/newsroom/releases/post-fire-hazards-remain-high-after-little-giant-fire.
Current Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest closure orders can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/alerts.
For the USDA Forest Service Region 6 PNW Emergency Closures Interactive Map: https://tinyurl.com/bdua23pd
With the transfer of command for the fire back to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, please contact the district offices for current information:
Entiat-Chelan Ranger District: https://tinyurl.com/26yrwn2m
Wenatchee River Ranger District: https://tinyurl.com/3kxvusky
Thanks for staying safe, respecting closures, and supporting the recovery of your public lands. đź’šEnjoy the additional areas that are now open!
