Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Daily Update       

August 7, 2024

Quick Facts

Size:  36898 (No updated II) | Start Date: June 8, 2024 | Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA

Containment: 13% | Personnel: 653 | Cause: Human-caused, under investigation

CURRENT SITUATION: Crews brought fire down to Stehekin Valley Road as they worked to tie-in with handlines along Little Boulder Creek in Stehekin. Operations will continue to improve those handlines as part of the effort to reduce risk to that community. The majority of fire activity remains on the upper portions of Purple and Imus Creeks.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES:  Over the next 24 hours, incident meteorologists anticipate a slight reduction in fire activity as northwest winds ease, returning to normal flow patterns with morning up lake and afternoon down lake winds. The risk of rollout, single tree and group torching due to the steep terrain continue to be of concern for firefighters. Crews will continue to construct and improve handlines along Little Boulder Creek to the ridge ledge to Purple Mountain. Managers continue to seek opportunities to go direct on the fire with both land-based and aviation resources to halt the northern progression.

The Flat Creek Fire is located 15 miles northwest of Stehekin and is roughly 13 acres. A Wildland Fire Module will be inserted to start prepping potential control lines. The fire is in extremely steep terrain inaccessible to firefighters. 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:  Significant smoke impacts are expected in local communities south and east of the Pioneer Fire to include locations in the Methow Valley, Stehekin, Manson, and Chelan. Winds will be generally lighter over the next few days with continued warm and dry conditions. Expected temperatures will hover in the mid-90s range throughout the week with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Evening gusts along ridgetops are anticipated at 20 mph.

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.