Lower Sugarloaf Fire grows to 10,000 acres

The Lower Sugarloaf Fire has expanded to about 10,000 acres northeast of Leavenworth, leading to intensified firefighting operations. On Saturday, cooler temperatures allowed crews to conduct burn operations, tying the powerline corridor to the fire's edge. As of Sunday morning, the fire is staffed by 451 personnel, including multiple crews and equipment. Evacuation notices have been issued for parts of Chelan County, and air quality alerts are in effect due to smoke impacting nearby communities. Forecasts indicate northwesterly winds and a chance of rain on Tuesday, which may assist in containment efforts.

Firefighters are focusing on securing the southeast perimeter and preparing additional burn operations to prevent further spread. The fire, sparked by lightning on September 1, remains at zero percent containment. Incident managers emphasize the need to protect critical values at risk while continuing their strategic response.