Lower Sugarloaf fire grows to 30,000 acres in Washington

CHELAN COUNTY, Wash. — The Lower Sugarloaf fire has surged past 30,000 acres, becoming the largest wildfire currently burning in Washington state as worsening conditions under a Red Flag Warning bring the possibility of fast growth.

The blaze, sparked by lightning on Sept. 1, has grown rapidly in the past week and remains only 27% contained as of Thursday.

Nancy West told KING 5 on Sept. 23 that the drought Washington is facing has made conditions even worse.

“Mother Nature forgets to send rain when she brings her lightning,” said West, marketing director for the Leavenworth Adventure Park.

On Sept. 23, the U.S. Forest Service expanded closures in the Wenatchee River Ranger District, shutting down the Pine Flats Campground and additional public land near Entiat as the fire pushed north