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 continue to welcome visitors, with limited smoke expected for the coming holiday. Pioneer Fire managers are using a full-suppression firefighting strategy to protect private property, public infrastructure, and natural and recreation resources, while minimizing risks to responders and the public. 

Firefighters yesterday continued clearing vegetation in the Prince Creek drainage near the south edge of the fire to improve this natural holding feature. Helicopters were active dropping water to cool hot spots. A crew boated into Safety Harbor to improve handline going up Nelson Butte and work on the helicopter landing spots in the area. Firefighters continued work in the Stehekin valley along Stehekin Valley Road. They also provided support to Chelan Public Utility District as those crews cleared trees and brush near powerlines. Down lake, crews completed contingency handline up to End Mountain. Firefighters also strengthened contingency lines along roads by removing brush and potentially hazardous trees, and grading roads. 

Today, crews will continue to extend and improve the containment line in the Prince Creek drainage all the way down to the lake. On the north side of the fire, crews will continue with structure protection and improve fire lines in the Meadow Creek drainage. In the Stehekin valley, firefighters will continue with structure protection and laying hose in the Boulder Creek area. Helicopters will continue dropping water to cool hot spots.  

WEATHER: Expect warming and drying temperatures, likely increasing fire behavior and spread. The air quality outlook is at https://bit.ly/PioneerFireSmoke. Learn more about smoke at smokeready.org. 

SAFETY: Please be aware of fire restrictions and take care with anything that could cause a spark. Additionally, be aware that fireworks are prohibited in Chelan County. One less spark is one less wildfire! 

EVACUATIONS: Evacuation levels have not changed. Visit https://t.ly/QoH9w for more information. 

CLOSURE: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has a closure 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.