Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Update for July 27, 2024 
 Incident Commander Lonnie Click   
Complex Incident Management Team Northwest 3   
(541) 861-5808, staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov  

Quick Facts  
Size: 32,048 acres  
Start Date: June 8, 2024  
Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA  
Containment: 14%  
Personnel: 749  
Cause: Human-caused, under investigation  
Resources Assigned: 12 crews, 4 helicopters, 24 engines, 27 water tenders, 12 heavy equipment

CURRENT SITUATION:  There was limited growth of the Pioneer fire yesterday. Firefighters responded to fire activity in Fourmile drainage with helicopter water drops to slow fire spread. Crews continued to patrol and mop up hotspots along the lakeshore and firefighters worked into the evening around the mouth of Fourmile creek, successfully protecting structures in that area with strategic firing operations. In Stehekin, firefighters continued to widen and improve the fireline around the community. The fireline will allow firefighters to safely work to implement strategic firing operations, burning out vegetation between the fireline and active fire, should this become necessary. The southern edge of the fire has held in Lone Fir drainage for several days, and a reconnaissance flight yesterday confirmed no visible heat in the drainage. South of the fire, crews continued to clear and improve roads and indirect contingency lines. Should conditions change later in the season, firefighters may use these indirect contingency lines to prevent the fire from reaching Manson.

Stehekin is closed to recreational visitors while a level 2 evacuation remains in place. Fire management is coordinating with local businesses in Stehekin to provide meals and other support for fire personnel. The southern edge of the fire is approximately 23 miles northwest of Manson. The communities of Chelan and Manson remain open for business and tourism.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Firefighters will continue to patrol and protect structures along the lakeshore, implementing strategic firing operations where necessary. Helicopters will drop water where needed to limit fire spread. Fire crews will also continue improving the constructed fireline around the community of Stehekin, and completing other preparations like removing snags and installing hoses and sprinklers to protect Stehekin. Crews will also continue to improve roads and continency lines south of the fire and east of Manson.

WEATHER: Continued warm and generally dry weather is forecast for today, with high temperatures in the 80s. Winds will be light and mostly terrain driven, shifting to down lake in the afternoon and increasing in speed into the evening. There is a 10% chance for a light shower or brief thunderstorm.

EVACUATIONS: Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation levels remain in effect around the Pioneer Fire. Please visit https://t.ly/QoH9w for more information.

FOREST CLOSURE: Current closures for the North Cascades National Park: https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has a closure order in place for much of the fire area: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov). Campfires are prohibited. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_6779.html. Unauthorized drone activity is prohibited under the TFR.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080   
Fire Information Line: 541-861-5808, 8 AM to 8 PM  
Email: 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov