UPDATE: July 4 at 9:00 a.m.
According to Deputy State Fire Marshal Amy Thornton, the fire is now burning 3,000 acres. Evacuation levels remain at level 2, BE READY, in both northern Chelan County and southern Okanogan County.
The fire is reportedly human caused according to information shared on both the evacuation maps.
Chelan County Fire District #8 reports that the fire is contained with the help of multiple other fire agencies.
UPDATE: July 3 at 4:45 p.m.
According to Ryan Rodruck with the Department of Natural Resources, the fire has been downgraded to 900 acres.
UPDATE: July 3 at 4:03 p.m.
Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation notices have been issued for a wildfire burning south of Alta Lake and Pateros.
According to Okanogan County Emergency Management, the Apple Acres Fire is active on the north side of Arbuckle Mountain, about one mile north of Wells Dam, and is moving north.
Level 2 evacuations are in effect for anyone living between Wells Dam and State Route 153 and from Alta Lake east to Highway 97.
Residents should remain alert, be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice, and evacuate immediately if they feel unsafe. Authorities urge people not to wait for door-to-door notifications, this may be the only warning they receive.
Drivers are also advised to be cautious of emergency vehicles in the area.
Okanogan County Emergency Management is monitoring the situation and will provide updates as needed.
As of now, Highway 97 remains open with single-lane, pilot car-controlled traffic.
UPDATE: July 3 at 9:35 a.m.
Residents in Okanogan County near Antoine Creek are now on a Level 2 evacuation notice. Chelan County Emergency Management advised that the area from Apple Acres Road to Quiet Valley Road should be prepared to evacuate if the fire approaches.
This update marks a change from the previous advisory for much of the area. Level 2 means residents must be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
The Washington State Department of Transportation reports that US 97, between mileposts 245-250 near Wells Dam, is reduced to a single lane. Traffic is alternating with guidance from a pilot car.
Residents can stay informed about evacuation levels by checking the Chelan County Emergency Incidents Map.
UPDATE: July 2 at 8:25 P.M.
The Washington Department of Natural Resources said the fire has grown to 2,000 acres.
Original coverage: July 2 at 6:44 p.m.
CHELAN COUNTY, Wash. – Chelan County Emergency Management has issued a Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation notice for the Apple Acres Fire.
According to the Washington State Patrol (WSP), Highway 97 is closed in both directions from Milepost 240 in Chelan County to Milepost 255 in Okanogan County due to a fast-moving wildfire.
WSP said multiple fire agencies are on scene battling the flames, along with air resources. There is currently no estimated time for the highway to reopen.
The fire, reported around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, started near Antoine Creek Road in Chelan County and is currently burning along State Route 97 near Wells Dam, moving north. As of the latest update, it has burned approximately 120 acres.
There are no reports of injuries or structures damaged at this time.
Multiple resources, including engines and aircraft, have been deployed to fight the fire. The fire is located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property, though local coordination is being handled by incident spokesperson Rodrunk, as the BLM public information officer is off duty.
Additionally, Okanogan County Emergency Management has issued a Level 1 (Advisory) for the Starr Road and Alta Lake area near Pateros. This is not an evacuation order, but residents are urged to stay alert, monitor conditions, and be prepared to take action if needed. Authorities stress that people should not wait for door-to-door notifications and should remain cautious of emergency vehicles in the area.
State Route 97 is also closed from the north end of Starr Road south to State Route 97A.
Okanogan County Emergency Management, the Sheriff’s Office, and Fire District 15 are closely monitoring the situation. Updates will be provided as conditions evolve.
For more information, visit Okanogan County Emergency Management’s active incident page.
