Rapidly growing fire rages in Okanogan County as Chelan Hills nears containment

Douglas County is offering a $25,000 reward in the suspected human-caused blaze, which claimed one life.

By Dianna Hawryluk & Jason Upton July 10, 2026 2:02 pm

Mountain ridge at sunrise with soft fog filling the valleys and distant hills bathed in warm light — ContributedArea affected by the B and O fire. Image courtesy of Northeast Washington Fire Information.

OMAK, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A fast-spreading wildfire has led to evacuation orders east of the Cascades.

State fire officials say that the B and O Fire was reported in Okanogan County Thurday afternoon, July 9.

Nearly 3,000 acres have burned just west of the cities of Okanogan and Omak, destroying at least three homes.

Level 3 – Go Now! evacuation orders have been downgraded to Level 2 – Get Set – as of this morning.

Okanogan County’s Department of Emergency Management said that residents should be aware of additional road closures as fire crews extinguish hot spots and maintain the fire’s perimeter.

Chelan Hills Fire nears full containment

A massive wildfire burning east of Chelan County is nearly under control after leaving behind extensive damage.

The Chelan Hills Fire has remained at around 10,000 acres and is 95% contained as of Friday morning, July 10.

Fire officials expect it to be fully contained by the end of the day. All evacuation orders in parts of the Chelan Hills were lifted Friday afternoon.

One Douglas County resident lost their life in the fire, which also destroyed a famous Hobbit-themed Airbnb among many other structures.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office believes the fire was human-caused, and the county is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the culprit’s arrest.