History of LWFR

Chelan County Fire District #9 was formed initially in 1986 after area residents Byron Dickinson, Ray Zufall decided that the efforts to fight fires in area homes needed to be more organized and have resources to do so. A vote was put to the residents of Lake Wenatchee and Plain and a Junior Taxing District was formed. For 20 plus years CCFD #9 served the area from its three fire stations: Chiwawa River Pines, Lake Wenatchee, and Plain.

Chelan County Fire District #4 was formed by residents of the Ponderosa Estates in the late 1970s. Serving an area no larger than 2 square miles with approximately 600 parcels of land. It was Washington State’s smallest fire district for over 30 years.

Lake Wenatchee Fire & Rescue was formed in March of 2015 after the successful merger of Chelan County Fire Districts #4 and #9. Both districts agreed that a merger would reduce redundancy in training, response, and expenses.

CCFD #4 Ponderosa 2002

In 1994 CCFD #9 had very little, just some people wanting to make a change and difference in their community. During the 1994 mega wildland fires, a Bond measure was placed before area taxpayers and three new fire engines were purchased, three brush trucks and a badly needed fire hose was placed in service. From 1986 to 1998 Chelan County FD #1 was contracted to be the administrative services for CCFD #9, providing at times maintenance work on apparatus and occasional part-time firefighter work during the summer.

Cascade Ambulance has covered our area for over 30 years. In the early 1970’s and 80’s a Volunteer REACT Program was the first response to area EMS and Cascade Ambulance would respond out of the Leavenworth hospital. Volunteers would cover a Basic Life Support unit at Lake Wenatchee up until 2017 when LWFR partnered with Cascade to staff the local ambulance with our personnel.

In 2019 Lake Wenatchee Fire & Rescue started the Seasonal Firefighter Program as an effort to bring fuels reduction to the community.

On June 1st, 2020 Chief Mick Lamar retired after serving 40 years in the fire service. Assistant Chief David Walker was appointed the new Fire Chief for Lake Wenatchee Fire & Rescue.