Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Update for Sunday, July 8, 2024  

541-861-5808, staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov 

Incident Commander Jeff Dimke

Complex Incident Management Team Northwest 12

Start date: June 8, 2024  

Location: 31 miles northwest of Chelan, WA  

Containment: 14%  

Fire size: 9,055 acres  

Cause: Human caused, under investigation  

Total personnel: 604 

The Pioneer Fire is burning in the Chelan Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and on private land 31 miles northwest of Chelan. The communities of Stehekin, Chelan, and Manson are open and continue to welcome visitors. Fire managers are using a full-suppression strategy to protect private property, public infrastructure, and natural and recreation resources, while minimizing risks to responders and the public. Part of the rationale for a full-suppression strategy is that the origin of the fire was on private land, and it is suspected to have been human caused. Additionally, while much of the fire area is within wilderness, if the fire were to spread significantly, it could affect population centers.

Yesterday crews began assessing additional structure protection needs down lake of the fire area. Firefighters scouted and prepared the fireline along Nelson Butte with pumps, hose lays, and water handling equipment. A small spot fire was noted to the west of Goat Mountain, but this was held in check by aerial resources. Crews and heavy equipment improved roads southeast of the fire area for safer access. Pockets of heavy dead and down fuels in the drainage of Prince Creek continue to burn and contributed to the large amount of smoke production. On the north end of the lake, crews assessed and improved the protection around the structures along the lakefront and into Stehekin. 

Additional crews, engines, and aviation assets are being ordered for the fire as critical fire weather continues through this week. The hand line along Nelson Butte is staffed and prepared in the event a tactical firing operation is required to control the advancing wildfire. Additional resources will also be sent into the area of Antilon Lake to strengthen firelines in that area. Firefighters will continue to use aircraft to drop water while ground crews build and reinforce firelines and water systems. Two CL-215 “scooper” aircraft are now assigned to the fire and will augment the heavy helicopters dropping water buckets to cool the fire.

WEATHER: The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for Monday and Tuesday. There is a potential for record-breaking temperatures in the middle of the week and an increase in fire behavior and potential spread. Smoke is likely to travel over the Chelan area. The air quality outlook is at https://bit.ly/PioneerFireSmoke. Learn more about smoke at smokeready.org. The fire marshal raised fire danger ratings and restrictions; see https://t.ly/WLBds for more information. 

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES: Due to the increased fire behavior and spread, Chelan County increased evacuation levels. Please visit https://t.ly/QoH9w for more information. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has a closure order in place for much of the fire area. Details and maps are available at: https://bit.ly/PioneerClosure. Many recreation sites remain open and accessible.