SINLAHEKIN

active fire wildfire

Updated

ACRES BURNED

166,005

ORIGIN COUNTY
Okanogan
CONTAINMENT

92%

Environment
Right Now
Fair icon
82°F
Fair
Gentle Wind 10 mph · SSW
43
Good Air Quality
TODAY SEP 22 SEP 23 SEP 24
Weather Fair 82° 58° Overcast 79° 58° Overcast 68° 50° Overcast 67° 53°
Area Fire Potential
TODAY Lowest
SEP 22 Lowest
SEP 23 Lowest
SEP 24 Lowest
Area Fuels
Timber (Litter and Understory)
Nearby Structures
WITHIN
1,756
Residential
1
Hospitals
3,656
Other
Known Structures
5,413 structures
WITHIN
Response
LEAD AGENCY
Department of Natural Resources
RESPONSE LEVEL
Type 3
578 Response Personnel
Northeast Washington Interagency Communications Center
Details
Undetermined According to NIFC, the cause is still undetermined
INCIDENT DETAILS
FIRE BEHAVIOR
Minimal
NEAREST CITY
Tonasket
DESCRIPTION
1 Miles W from Tonasket, WA
OVERVIEW
Sinlahekin Fire started on 07/26 and is currently at 166,005 acres and 92% containment.

Inciweb Media

Recent media provided by InciWeb of Washington fire activity.

From the Web
External data is not official This information is compiled automatically, and is not confirmed by a human reviewer. September 21, 2026 at 9:57 AM PDT

SINLAHEKIN Fire Report — September 21, 2026

All evacuation orders lifted as crews focus on suppression repair and patrol

The Sinlahekin Fire is burning in the Sinlahekin Valley west of Tonasket in Okanogan County. Over the last several days, fire activity remained minimal, with creeping and smoldering confined to heavy downed timber well inside the perimeter. The fire poses no immediate threat to nearby communities as crews prioritize suppression repair, line stabilization, and mop-up operations.

Evacuations and Closures

  • All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted as of September 20.

Impact

Residual smoke from interior smoldering continues to pool in low-lying valley areas during morning hours. County emergency management and recovery organizations are coordinating recovery support and disaster case management for affected residents and businesses.

Conditions and Outlook

Overcast conditions will continue across the fire area, with light to moderate winds shifting from south-southwesterly to east-southeasterly before easing later in the week alongside cooling temperatures, rising humidity, and a slight chance of drizzle. Fire behavior is expected to stay minimal, with crews carrying out chipping along the 39 Road, slash processing north of the 372 Road, line repairs in Salmon Meadows and Road 25, and road grading in Park Creek and along Toats Coulee Road while patrolling the northwest perimeter.

Cause and Context

The fire was ignited by lightning on July 26, 2026. Emergency response teams are actively evaluating the burn scar to identify and mitigate post-fire hazards, including soil erosion, runoff, and debris flows.

Official updates current through September 21, 2026.