After burning for five weeks on the landscape of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Chelan County, the Lower Sugarloaf Fire has now surpassed the 40,000-acre mark.

The blaze was ignited by a dry lighting storm on Aug. 31 on the Wenatchee River Ranger District about 12 miles east of Leavenworth, and has grown to an estimated 41,114 acres as of Monday (Oct. 6).

Containment on the fire has been steady since late last week and remains at 55% to start this week.

On Sunday, firefighters conducted controlled burns and strengthened containment lines around the blaze's southern edges, while suppression and road repairs remained active in several areas within the fire zone where conditions allowed.

Similar efforts are scheduled to resume today, with crews also heavily focusing on the vici

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