Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Update for July 28, 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  

Pioneer Fire Daily Update    July 28, 2024  

Quick Facts  
Size: 33,277 acres  
Start Date: June 8, 2024  
Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA  
Containment: 10%  
Personnel: 712   
Cause: Human-caused, under investigation  
Resources Assigned: 11 crews, 4 helicopters, 24 engines, 27 water tenders, 18 heavy equipment  

CURRENT SITUATION:  The Pioneer Fire crossed the Fourmile drainage yesterday and progressed further north. This fire movement has prompted Chelan County Emergency Management to issue a Level 3 (Get out now!) evacuation notice for the community of Stehekin, from just north of Moore Point through the Stehekin Valley, effective beginning at 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 28.  More information, including boat schedules and shelter information for evacuations, is available from Chelan County Emergency Management at https://t.ly/QoH9w. The evacuation level from Safety Harbor to Moore Point was reduced to a Level 2.  

Firefighters, working with state mobilized structure protection group, have been working to protect the community of Stehekin. Through their coordinated efforts, hose and sprinkler systems have been installed, flammable material reduced around homes and structures, and a fireline has been constructed around the community. Firefighters yesterday worked to remove snags and continue structure protection and adding more hose lays and sprinklers, while also removing rocks and plant material above the road from the landing into the Stehekin Valley that leads to secure safe passage to the boat access point. Along the lakeshore, crews continued to patrol and mop up around structures.  

Most of the recent fire activity and fire spread has been in the northwest corner of the fire, though there is some active burning in the Prince Creek drainage. Much of the perimeter along the lakeshore has been contained and along the eastern edge, the fire has not crossed the Sawtooth range. The Lone Fir drainage at the southern edge is still showing no heat. Firefighters continue to monitor the southern edge and improve contingency lines near Manson.  

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: In Stehekin, firefighters will continue improving fireline and preparations to protect homes and infrastructure. Additional f3irefighters will also be relocating from Lucerne to support strategic firing operations in Stehekin. Along the lakeshore, crews will continue patrolling, mopping, up, and conducting strategic firing around structures where needed and as conditions allow. Crews will also continue to improve roads and continency lines south of the fire and east of Manson. Firefighters are also prepared to support initial attack of any new fires.  

WEATHER AND SMOKE: Warm and dry conditions are expected again today, with light winds throughout the day and gusts in the midafternoon and evening of up to 15 mph. Temperatures will be in the high 70s to low 80s. Light rain is expected over the fire on Monday. An air quality alert has been issued for Chelan County. See Current Smoke Outlook for North Central Washington (airfire.org) for more information about smoke and air quality.  

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