CHELAN COUNTY, Wash — Firefighters continued battling the Chelan Hills Fire on Sunday as the wildfire grew to an estimated 9,000 acres, while authorities reopened U.S. Highway 97 through the area but kept evacuation orders in place.
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U.S. 97 between mile marker 232 and McNeil Canyon Road reopened as of 9 a.m. Sunday. McNeil Canyon Road remains closed, and law enforcement officers are enforcing the closure.
An image of smoke from the wildfire. (courtesy Eastside Fire & Rescue)
Residents and visitors are being asked to stay out of the area while firefighting operations continue, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said.
The fire is moving north and northeast. Numerous fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters worked the fire during daylight hours, and additional air resources are expected to continue drawing water from the Columbia River.
Boaters are urged to give aircraft plenty of space during operations.
A photo of the Chelan Hills fire on 5 Jul 2026 (courtesy Renee Ellis via Chime In)
All evacuation levels remain unchanged and will be reassessed later in the day, officials said.
No major injuries have been reported.
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Eastside Fire & Rescue said it has deployed personnel and equipment to assist with the response. Battalion Chief Seth Merritt is serving as operations chief with the Southeast Washington Type 3 team, Capt. Aaron Merritt is assigned as a division supervisor, Battalion Chief Jason Ward is serving as a strike team leader, and Brush 166 has also been deployed.
