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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 property, infrastructure, and natural and recreation resources, while minimizing risks to responders and the public. Fire behavior and spread were limited until yesterday, giving firefighters the opportunity to strengthen fire lines and point protections. Firefighters removed vegetation over the last several days to improve Prince Creek as a natural holding feature. During the day yesterday, firefighters used an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS, or drone) to remove fuel between Prince Creek and the fire’s south flank. Firefighters secured the fire to the north edge of the Prince Creek drainage at approximately 5pm yesterday. Helicopters dropped water yesterday on the north and south flanks of the fire, cooling hot spots near the Meadow Creek and Prince Creek drainages. These methods of direct attack, working near the edge of the fire, aimed to reduce the potential for fire spread. With the warmer and drier conditions, fire behavior increased yesterday on the north end of the fire near Horton Butte, and on the south end of the fire in the Prince Creek drainage. Around 7pm the fire spotted over Prince Creek into the Canoe Creek drainage. Two helicopters and initial attack ground crews quickly responded to the spot fires. The water systems in place near Prince Creek helped to address the spot fire last night. Work on the south flank of the fire continues today with additional resources supporting point protection for private property and public infrastructure. Multiple other fires in the area are also contributing to smoke impacts today. Today, firefighters will continue strengthening fire lines in the Stehekin area, and down lake between the fire and the cities of Manson and Chelan. Crews are using masticators to remove vegetation to inhibit fire spread. WEATHER: This is a critical weather day with excessive heat, low humidity, and gusty winds. Fire managers expect increased fire behavior and potential spread. The air quality outlook is at https://bit.ly/PioneerFireSmoke. Learn more about smoke at smokeready.org. The fire marshal is raising 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. In the area between Prince Creek down lake to Lone Fir Creek, the advice is Level 3 (Go Now). A Level 2 evacuation (Be Prepared) is now in effect from Moore Creek down lake to Prince Creek. Level 1 (Stay Alert) evacuation levels apply down lake from Lone Fir Creek to Safety Harbor and up lake from Fourmile Creek to Moore Creek. Please visit https://t.ly/QoH9w for more information. The OkanoganWenatchee 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.