A state of emergency has been declared by the Board of County Commissioners in response to the Little Giant Fire that was initially ignited in northwestern Chelan County. The emergency declaration was approved at the board’s meeting on Aug. 4, according to a news release. Bob Ferguson that the federal government granted his request for an emergency declaration for the devastating wildfires burning throughout Eastern Washington. The wildfire, caused by lightning on July 15, was first reported in the area of Little Giant Mountain. As of Aug. 4, it had spread to nearly 59,346 acres, threatening the communities of Lake Wenatchee, Entiat, and the north and south shores of Lake Chelan.