06/29/2026
To every air support crew, pilot, and firefighter who answered the call for the Hamilton Fire, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. 🚁🚒🧑🚒👩🚒👨🚒❤️
Yesterday around 9am, a fast-moving, wind-driven fire broke out just north west of Winthrop, burning through dry grass and brush. By late morning the entire town was under a Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuation order, Highway 20 was shut down, and power was knocked out across the area. It grew to roughly 300 acres with the wind pushing it straight toward Winthrop.
But the response was incredible. Fire officials made the call early to go heavy on air support: two helicopters, three single-engine air tankers, and two large air tankers worked the fire alongside ground crews. Think of it like a bucket brigade from the sky, wave after wave of aircraft hitting the flames from above while crews held the line below. Engines and resources came in from neighboring counties and from around the state to back us up.
By 9:25 p.m., officials confirmed the fire’s forward progress had been STOPPED, and evacuation levels were downgraded through the night. No structures lost. No injuries reported.
We also want to say a huge thank you to every single person who called, texted, and messaged to check in on us. It meant more than you know. We are okay, we are safe, and we are reminded just how lucky we are to be part of a community that shows up for each other. 🙏
We are so, so deeply grateful, both to the crews who came from all across Washington to protect a small mountain town, and to all of you who held us close from near and far. Thank you. ❤️
