Chelan County Fire District 5

08/23/2026

LITTLE GIANT FIRE UPDATE — AUGUST 23

The Little Giant Fire is now estimated at 142,228 acres and 15% contained.

At 7:00 AM today, California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT5) took command of the fire.

Yesterday, scattered thunderstorms brought some light rain, but winds reaching 40 mph increased fire activity. Helicopters continued water drops to help slow the fire near Twin Lakes, Stormy Creek and Maverick Peak.

Today, firefighters are:

• Building containment lines from Maverick Saddle toward Burgess Meadow
• Protecting structures and improving sprinkler systems
• Building contingency lines near Pole Ridge and Little Chumstick
• Patrolling and mopping up around structures in the Entiat Valley
• Continuing direct fire suppression in Gene Creek toward Stormy Creek and Baldy Mountain

Good news in the Entiat drainage: Firefighters have successfully held the fire at Tyee Ridge Road, where it has remained within its footprint for several days.

COMMUNITY MEETING:
A virtual community meeting will be held Monday, August 24 at 6:30 PM.

Questions can be submitted in advance by emailing [email protected] with the subject line “Community Meeting.”

Thank you to the firefighters, pilots, incident management teams and support crews continuing to work around the clock to protect our communities.

08/22/2026

Brush Fire Update Kinsey Road / Upper Joe Creek Road, Manson

Fire crews are responding to a brush fire in the area of Kinsey Road and Upper Joe Creek Road.

Multiple engines from Manson Fire Department and Chelan Fire & Rescue are assisting with the response.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a lightning strike. Crews are working to contain the fire and keep it from spreading.

Please give emergency crews plenty of room to work and avoid the area if possible. We’ll share updates as more information becomes available.

08/20/2026

Every Tuesday night, our Manson Fire Department crew puts in the work to stay ready for whatever comes our way.

This Tuesday the crew split into teams and focused on structure protection. training on the skills, tactics, and teamwork needed to protect homes and other structures when wildfire threatens.

These firefighters are fully trained and prepared to do their jobs, but staying sharp means practicing those skills again and again and again.

08/15/2026

Yesterday, UAS firing operations helped secure the Grouse Creek area, while evening helicopter water drops slowed fire spread. Firefighters continue building and strengthening fireline from Twin Lakes through the Chiwawa and Entiat valleys, while protecting homes and maintaining structure-protection systems.

Fire activity in the Twenty-Five Mile area continues to decrease, though crews remain vigilant around Grouse Mountain, Domke Lake and Lucerne.

Thunderstorms also sparked a new fire on the north shore of Lake Chelan. Crews will address the new start today while remaining prepared for additional fires.

Additional resources are arriving, including an Australian-New Zealand contingent with 15 engines, two hand crews and additional fireline leadership.

08/12/2026

Fire Response at Mill Bay Boat Launch

At approximately 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, August 11, firefighters responded to a reported building on fire in the Mill Bay Boat Launch area in Manson.

Fire crews used approximately 13,000 gallons of water to extinguish the fire. At this time, there are no reports regarding the cause of the fire.

We encourage everyone in our community to remain vigilant. If you see suspicious activity or anything that seems out of place, please call 911 and report it.

A special thank you to our partners at District 7 for assisting Manson Fire with this response. We appreciate your support.

08/10/2026

23 Years of Service
Congratulations, Major Trent Lyman!

Yesterday Sunday the 10th of August 2026 we celebrated an incredible milestone as Trent retired from the National Guard after 23 years of service.

He enlisted in May 2003 as an Army Medic with the Utah National Guard. Over the years, his service took him from basic training at Fort Sill to Iraq, Nicaragua, Germany, Malaysia, and assignments across the United States.

He deployed to Iraq for 15 months, supported wildfire response, served throughout the COVID pandemic running testing and vaccination sites, assisted with riot control operations, and participated in international military exercises. Along the way, he became a Sergeant, earned his nursing degree, commissioned as an officer, and was selected for the highly competitive Interservice Physician Assistant Program.

But perhaps his greatest accomplishment isn’t the places he’s been or the missions he’s completed. It’s the people he’s served alongside — the battle buddies who became brothers and the friends who became family.

Twenty-three years of service meant missed birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and even the birth of his first child. But through it all, there are no regrets, only pride in a life dedicated to serving others.

And now, we’re incredibly proud that Trent continues that commitment to his community as a Manson Fire Department volunteer firefighter.

Congratulations, Trent, on an extraordinary 23 years.

Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your continued commitment to serving others.

08/08/2026

08/07/2026

Love listening to Dennis Burns for a daily update on the Little Giant Fire.

08/07/2026

The Little Giant Fire, currently estimated at approximately 82,000 acres, has continued to slowly progress behind Grouse Mountain in the 25 Mile Creek area on the South Shore.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11:00 AM today through 11:00 PM Saturday, with strong winds expected. These conditions could continue for several days and may impact fire behavior.

There are multiple firefighting resources positioned in the 25 Mile area should the fire begin moving closer to structures. Crews are actively assisting with structure preparation and planning hose lays should they be needed.

Smokey conditions have limited aircraft availability throughout the week. As visibility allows, aircraft will be reengaged to support firefighting efforts. Dozers and firefighters continue working hard in the hills visible from the South Shore, creating fire lines designed to slow or stop the fire’s progression.

Stay informed, prepared and safe Manson, and remember Nothing Lasts Forever! We will get past this.

Watch Duty is a great app to use for up to date information.

08/06/2026

This week we celebrated someone who truly represents the heart of our community! Happy Birthday, Nick Glenn!

Nick is the kind of guy who shows up when he’s needed most. Whether he’s responding to emergencies as a volunteer firefighter with the Manson Fire Department, or serving our community through Glenn Electric Co.

The Glenn family has been woven into the fabric of Manson for generations, and their legacy is one of hard work, integrity, kindness, and service. These values Nick carries forward every day.

From all of us at the Manson Fire Department, we wish you a very Happy Birthday.