Gov. Ferguson attends Chelan Hills Fire briefing

Gov. Bob Ferguson visited Chelan on Tuesday to receive briefing from fire officials on the Chelan Hills Fire, as recovery efforts continue following the wildfire that destroyed homes.

Ferguson was joined by state and local officials at a Lake Chelan School District building for the briefing in which fire managers provided an update on the fire's growth, damage and ongoing response.

"Anytime we have a situation like this - and we just were in Stehekin - we're always looking at what can the state do?" Ferguson said. "Is the role there to be helpful? Support local government? Support local communities? So that's a conversation we'll be having to see if there's something the state can do to be helpful given the situation."

Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille gave an update on the confirmed number of structures burned. He said that so far there are approximately 19 "primary residences" and "several dozen secondary buildings."

"We all have things in our lives that you can't put a price tag on," Ferguson said. " If we lost our home ... my wife, our kids, the things in the home that you can't put a price tag on, that you can't get back, you can't replace those, would be especially heartbreaking."

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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 12:22 PM.