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Size:  36763 (No updated IR) Start Date: June 8, 2024 Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA 

Containment: 12% Personnel: 756 Cause: Human-caused, under investigation 

CURRENT SITUATION: Twenty-five to 30 MPH down lake winds expected around 3 p.m. 

“These are the sort of days fire makes big moves in Washington,” -- CAIMT 15 Fire Behavior Analyst, Dan O’Connor.    

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITIES: A dry cold front moved in over the region increasing fire weather. Fire managers expected a dynamic fire day with potential noteworthy wind gusts over the area around 4 p.m. Those winds manifested and boots on the ground saw significant fire activity well into the evening. Crews continued prepping line on the Stehekin Ranch Valley Road up to High Bridge Camp. Overnight the fire moved into the community of Stehekin through the Purple and Imus Creek drainage. Crews were able to hold the fire to within 100 feet of several structures at the preestablished control lines. 

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES:  The fire remains mostly within older burn scars. The most significant activity is in the area of Purple Creek and above the community of Stehekin on the upper slopes toward the north end of the fire. Activity in the Prince Creek area is mostly confined to extremely steep headwater slopes with residual hotspots. Of concern for fire managers is the possibility of rollout developing to active flanking and backing in the Purple and Imus Creek drainage. Fish and Prince Creek contain pockets of scattered heat as residual fuels consume. Expected northerly winds around 3 p.m. will present significant challenges for the day’s firefighting operations and increase the potential for rollout, single and group tree torching and uphill runs.  

The Flat Creek Fire is located 20 miles northwest of Stehekin and is roughly 10 acres. The fire is in extremely steep terrain inaccessible to firefighters and is being patrolled by aircraft. Firefighters are developing strategies for future operations. A camera will be placed at a strategic location so incident management personnel can evaluate fire conditions on a 24-hour basis. Resources remain fully committed to operations within the Stehekin community. 

WEATHER AND SMOKE: Today’s winds will be persistent throughout the day at 5 to 10 mph. During the early morning hours winds will decrease but come back down lake at a sustained 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph in channeled areas in the afternoon. The potential for scattered thunderstorms remain over the area.  

EVACUATIONS: Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation levels remain in effect around the Pioneer Fire. Please contact Chelan County Emergency Management or visit https://t.ly/QoH9w for more information. 

FOREST CLOSURE: Closures for the North Cascades National Park: https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm 

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has a closure order in place for much of the fire area: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov). Campfires are prohibited. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_6779.html. Unauthorized drone activity is prohibited under the TFR.