Lower Sugarloaf Fire grows to 10,000 acres

LEAVENWORTH — The Lower Sugarloaf Fire expanded overnight to an estimated 10,000 acres northeast of Leavenworth as firefighters continued suppression efforts Sunday, according to incident managers.

An isolated storm cell moved over the fire around midnight, pushing flames southeast out of Kloochman Creek and across Roaring Ridge. Crews are working on a full suppression strategy aimed at protecting critical values at risk.

Cooler temperatures and higher humidity on Saturday slowed fire activity, allowing firefighters to conduct burn operations along the southwestern edge, tying the powerline corridor to the fire’s edge. Crews also built a dozer line near Beaver Creek to secure the north-northwest perimeter. Preparations for additional burn operations continued between Chumstick Creek and Second Creek.

On Sunday, operations shifted to containing the southeast spread and scouting for control features south of Roaring Ridge. Crews are preparing Forest Service Road 78 for burn operations and conducting mop-up around structures in that corridor. Additional fire line construction is underway west and north of the fire, connecting with existing roads and other features. More firefighting resources are arriving at the scene.

Forecasts call for northwesterly winds at 8 to 12 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph on ridgetops later Sunday and overnight. The strongest chance of wetting rain is expected Tuesday under the current weather pattern.

Chelan County Emergency Management has issued Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation notices for parts of the fire area. The latest updates are available at Chelan County Emergency Management. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has implemented closures around the fire for public and firefighter safety. Current information is posted on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Alerts page.

Smoke from the fire is visible in Plain, Leavenworth, Wenatchee and Entiat. The National Weather Service has issued an air quality alert for the region. Air quality information is available at WASmoke Blog and AirNow.

As of Sunday morning, the fire was staffed by 451 personnel, including nine crews, 56 engines, two helicopters, four bulldozers and 18 water tenders. The fire started Sept. 1 and was caused by lightning. Containment remains at zero percent.