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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 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.

High temperatures and low relative humidity continue to contribute to increased fire behavior on both the north and south sides of the fire. Yesterday, crews continued to evaluate and strengthen the structure protection on the structures to the north of the fire’s edge. Those crews also closely monitored the north flank of the fire in the Meadow Creek drainage. On the south flank of the fire, several crews mopped up in both Prince Creek and Canoe Creek. Structure protection efforts in this area were successful, with no additional structures lost. A crew was moved into Safety Harbor to evaluate and improve structure protection with additional plumbing. 

Further south, firefighters finished work on improving and plumbing the lines along Nelson Butte and Coyote Ridge down to the lake. Mastication on some of the preexisting dozer line was finished at the end of shift last night, and crews will be moving further south to continue that work. Crews will also be improving Black Canyon Road to protect firefighter ingress and egress in the area. 

Near Stehekin, crews will continue their work on plumbing and opening existing handline today, working up from Rainbow Falls. Boats will continue to deliver firefighters and equipment throughout the fire area. The weather forecast continues to be a factor and will contribute to increased fire behavior. Increased fire spread is likely where wind and terrain align. Firefighters will continue to use aircraft to drop water while ground crews build and strengthen fire lines and water systems. 

WEATHER: The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for well into next week. There is the potential for temperatures to break records in Stehekin and Chelan. Fire managers expect increased 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.