Firefighters Continue Tackling Chelan Hills Wildfire as U.S. 97 Reopens
The Chelan Hills Fire expanded to about 9,000 acres on Sunday, prompting the reopening of a stretch of U.S. Highway 97 while evacuation orders remain in effect.
Firefighters were still engaged in suppressing the Chelan Hills wildfire on Sunday, with the blaze estimated to have burned roughly 9,000 acres. A portion of U.S. Highway 97 between mile marker 232 and McNeil Canyon Road was reopened at 9 a.m., though McNeil Canyon Road stayed closed and law enforcement continued to enforce the restriction.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office asked residents and visitors to avoid the area while fire crews worked the incident. The fire is advancing north and northeast, and a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters operated over the fire during daylight, drawing water from the Columbia River. Boaters were advised to keep clear of the aircraft.
All evacuation levels remain unchanged and will be reviewed later in the day, officials said. No major injuries have been reported.
Eastside Fire & Rescue deployed personnel and equipment to support the response. Battalion Chief Seth Merritt serves as operations chief for the Southeast Washington Type 3 team, Capt. Aaron Merritt is a division supervisor, Battalion Chief Jason Ward leads a strike team, and Brush 166 has also been sent to the scene.
