The Little Giant Fire in Chelan County may be the second-largest wildfire in Washington state, but officials say it has become one of the country’s top firefigh
The Little Giant Fire in Chelan County may be the second-largest wildfire in Washington state, but officials say it has become one of the country’s top firefighting priorities as it continues to burn in steep, heavily timbered terrain near communities.
State fire officials said the lightning-caused fire is currently the No. 2 priority fire in the nation, behind a wildfire in Oregon that moved into the top spot this morning.
Fire leaders also said the Little Giant Fire is the No. 1 wildfire priority in Washington and second in the nation because it is large and active, burning in rugged terrain and pushing toward communities.
The fire is burning in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest near the town of Plain, Washington, not far from Lake Wenatchee. Along Goose Creek Road, about three dozen members of a hand crew worked to mop up a section of heavily timbered terrain to secure the fire line.
“This terrain out here is some of the toughest terrain to fight fire in,” said Tim Ritchy, the Little Giant Fire incident commander. Ritchy is a member of the California Complex Incident Management Team 5, which is currently managing the fire.
Officials said the Little Giant Fire started at the end of July on the Little Giant Trail in this corner of Chelan County and has now scorched nearly 150,000 acres.
“It just ran across the slopes through the unburned areas, the natural timber stands where there were no natural barriers to really slow the fire spread,” Ritchy said.
Fire officials said high temperatures, dry fuels and heavier winds in the forecast have increased concern about threats to homes, cabins and other structures in and around the Lake Chelan, Chiwawa and Entiat areas. During a media briefing Wednesday at Plain Base Camp in Plain, Washington, officials said more than 6,000 structures, including homes, could be threatened.
“This is the high priority portion of the fire, especially with the communities down along Lake Chelan,” Ritchy said, pointing to a fire map.
Reinforcements have arrived, including 1,857 fire personnel assigned to the Little Giant Fire, officials said. That total includes 240 active-duty Army soldiers.
“So we were trained in, you know, line cutting, debris removal, fire safety and fire behavior that you would see among much of the agency fire crews,” said Maj. Donny Galatis. “You know, the mission is quite unique in itself. But, you know, we are here to help support the community.”
The Washington Army National Guard is also assisting. Crews were seen working to secure the edge of a forest road near Lake Wenatchee as part of efforts to protect people, property and nearby watersheds.
“It is an enormous task, and I feel the weight of how important it is. What is so encouraging is that our hand crews are coming back every day, just very motivated,” said Washington Army National Guard Capt. Georgia Lamb.
International help is also on the ground through a mutual aid agreement that brought 270 firefighters from Australia and New Zealand, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
“So we are over here with the contingent of Kiwis and Australians helping out with the American fires at the moment. So we’ve got an interagency agreement between Canada, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand,” said Cam Grylis, with the New Zealand Incident Management Team.
Asked what the outside support says about the scope and complexity of the Little Giant Fire, Grylis said, “So, you know, it’s really hard to comprehend for us coming from New Zealand, especially that just the scale is astronomical.”
Officials said 90 New Zealand firefighters are assigned to the Little Giant Fire.
“Some of our crews have got U.S. liaison people embedded with them. So, yeah, the support from everybody around here has just been phenomenal,” Grylis said.
During Wednesday’s media briefing, KOMO News asked whether there is enough support, including firefighters, equipment and aircraft, to contain the fire.
“We can always use more, but the support that they bring has really bolstered us, and they’ve filled some of those middle management positions that really help direct the work specifically on the ground. They really drive that mission, and they’re doing a great job of it,” Ritchy said.
For local communities, fire officials urged residents to stay informed because conditions can change rapidly, especially with red flag warnings and strong winds.
