Single Publication

The Pioneer Fire is burning in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness Area on 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. Sunny skies are forecast for the upcoming weekend and fire activity and smoke has been very limited.  

The Pioneer Fire is a full suppression fire. Fire managers are using strategies and tactics with the highest likelihood of success, while mitigating risks to responders and the public. Extreme terrain prevents direct attack on portions of the fire especially on the east edge of the fire. Indirect lines are being identified and established to protect private property, federal infrastructure and recreational resources. 

In Stehekin, crews focused on continued removal of snags and opened up historic hand lines around structures tying back into the road system. Crews will continue to reopen historic fire suppression lines and conduct road brushing along Stehekin Valley Road. Assessment of snags along the lines continues in preparation for the arrival of Chelan PUD (Public Utility District) crews on Friday. 

Crews confirmed a new fire which started yesterday at the Graham Harbor Creek campground has been fully extinguished. Along Meadow Creek, fire activity was minimal, and crews continued to work toward the division break at Prince Creek, as crews continue to evaluate threats to structures. Crews began to pull some pumps and hose lines from previously impacted structures in Pioneer Creek between DP 30 and 32, due to reduced threats. Some equipment was removed for backhaul. 

A crew and line medic were transported by boat and began developing hand line up from Safety Harbor which will tie into a reopened dozer line near Nelson Butte. Maintenance on the Grade Creek Road (8200) road will provide crews and heavy equipment access to improve historic dozer lines. Road maintenance will begin on the Black Canyon Road and Gold Creek Road will be assessed for personnel and heavy equipment access. 

The air quality outlook is at https://bit.ly/PioneerFireSmoke. Learn more about smoke at smokeready.org. 

WEATHER: Maximum rainfall along Nelson Ridge (6000 ft) was 0.21 inches. The forecast tomorrow is warm and dry with no rain in the forecast for the next five days.  

EVACUATIONS: Evacuation levels are unchanged since June 16th. Visit https://t.ly/QoH9w for updates.