Incident Media Photographs

Yesterday, cooler weather with a little bit of rain slowed fire activity on the Pioneer and Easy Fires. Firefighters are taking advantage of the reduced fire activity to continue line preparations in Stehekin and use helicopter water buckets drops to further slow the progression of the Pioneer Fire. This is a welcome weather break as hot and dry conditions are forecasted to return this week.

Around the community of Stehekin, firefighters have been working on community protection measures. These measures include working on firelines around the community including clearing brush and leaf litter as well as felling standing dead trees that could fall across the fireline. Water pumps with hoselays and sprinklers are being set up throughout the community to further protect structures and the fireline.

Around the community of Stehekin, firefighters have been working on community protection measures. These measures include working on firelines around the community including clearing brush and leaf litter as well as felling standing dead trees that could fall across the fireline. Water pumps with hoselays and sprinklers are being set up throughout the community to further protect structures and the fireline.

Around the community of Stehekin, firefighters have been working on community protection measures. These measures include working on firelines around the community including clearing brush and leaf litter as well as felling standing dead trees that could fall across the fireline. Water pumps with hoselays and sprinklers are being set up throughout the community to further protect structures and the fireline.

Throughout the day firefighters on the line take regular weather measurements. Weather fluctuations are forecasted on the Easy and Pioneer fire areas over the next couple days followed by warming and drying later in the week. The field measurements are shared with the incident meteorologist and this local data is used to refine the forecasts for each fire area. Localized weather forecasts, including predicted changes in wind or relative humidity, provide firefighters on the ground with information to help them anticipate changes in fire activity.

Taken on the Easy Fire; Photo credit: Landen Napier

The Pioneer Fire crossed Fourmile drainage yesterday and progressed further north. This fire movement has prompted Chelan County Emergency Management to issue a Level 3 (Go Now) notice for Stehekin starting July 28 at 8am. For more details about the notice and transport information see County of Chelan, Washington. 

Along the lakeshore, firefighters are using several measures to protect structures. Crews have constructed point protection firelines around structures and are using strategic firing operations to burn off those lines. This burning reduces vegetation between the structures and the wildfire and reduces the chance of wildfire moving quickly towards the structure. In addition, as fire is progressing along the lakeshore helicopters are dropping buckets of water to moderate fire behavior especially near structures.

Logistics on the Pioneer Fire take an extra level of coordination given the remote communities and access. Firefighters on the north and lakeshore fire areas are being supported by boats to transport them to the fire area and bring firefighting supplies. In addition, fire management is working with local businesses in Stehekin to provide meals and other support for crews working in that area.

July 24, 2024 Fire suppression operations around Drop Point 17 near Flick Creek on Lake Chelan's Pioneer Fire. Photo by Craig Inderwiesen, Cpt. of the DNR Mud Puppy vessel. 

July 24, 2024 - A scooper plane engaged in fire suppression operations around Drop Point 17 near Flick Creek on Lake Chelan's Pioneer Fire. Photo by Craig Inderwiesen, Cpt. of the DNR Mud Puppy vessel. 

July 24, 2024 Fire suppression operations around Drop Point 17 near Flick Creek on Lake Chelan's Pioneer Fire. Photo by Craig Inderwiesen, Cpt. of the DNR Mud Puppy vessel.

July 24, 2024 - Helicopter supporting fire suppression operations around Drop Point 17 near Flick Creek on Lake Chelan's Pioneer Fire. Photo by Craig Inderwiesen, Cpt. of the DNR Mud Puppy vessel.