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A camp is being set up in Stehekin, north of the Pioneer Fire, to support firefighters working in that vicinity. There are no roads connecting Stehekin to other parts of the lake. All personnel and supplies need to be transported across the lake by boat or by air, requiring special planning and coordination by the Logistics Section.
On June 21, this barge was being loaded with vehicles, a fuel truck, portable toilets, and other supplies and equipment required to support the firefighters at Stehekin.
Pioneer Fire from the Lady Express Ferry 6-21-24, showing smoke rising from the steep, forested slopes on the north shore of Lake Chelan. This was recorded during the morning, when fire activity was low and an inversion held the smoke near the ground.
Pioneer Fire map for 6-24-24, showing the fire location plus the general vicinity of Lake Chelan.
The Chelan County Emergency Management evacuation levels are shown on the map, with Level 3 (Go Now) in red, Level 2 (Be Prepared) in yellow, and Level 1 (Stay Alert) in green.
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest closures are also marked on the map with red dots or hatching.
Pioneer Fire is burning on steep, rugged slopes with limited access near the north shore of Lake Chelan. Fire personnel are accessing the fire by boat and helicopter, and are working to establish fire lines and hose lays to stop the fire's spread. Aerial resources are being used to drop water on the fire and to monitor fire activity and movement.
The USFS has issued a closure order for the area around Pioneer Fire. Please see the Closures tab for more information.
Chelan County has issued evacuation orders for areas around the fire. Please check the Announcements tab for the latest information.
The National Park Service has issued a closure order for Lakeshore Trail from Stehekin to Flick Creek Campsite, and for Flick Creek Campsite. Please see the Closures tab for more information.
| Current as of | Tue, 06/25/2024 - 15:15 |
|---|---|
| Incident Time Zone | America/Los_Angeles |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Undetermined |
| Date of Origin | |
| Location | 4 miles north from Prince Creek |
| Incident Commander | Brian Gales - Incident Commander Eric Riener - Deputy Incident Commander Northwest Complex Incident Management Team 13 |
| Coordinates |
48° 10' 57'' Latitude
-120° 31' 51
'' Longitude
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| Total Personnel: | 569 |
|---|---|
| Size | 4,558 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 0% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 10/31/2024 |
| Fuels Involved | Timber (Grass and Understory) Short Grass (1 foot) Timber (Litter and Understory) Fire is burning actively within the 2001 Rex Creek Fire scar. Sparse timber and stringers, moderate amounts of dead, down material and curing grasses maintain fire spread. Southwest aspect, typical Lake winds and steep topography are generating burning conditions on this fire. Aerial imagery indicates a rocky terrain, but actual fuel conditions are supporting fire spread. Historically, fires typically move down Lake, from shore to ridgeline, aided by typical diurnal and general wind direction. This fire has been actively moving up and down Lake, often backing into the wind with great efficiency. In general terms, up Lake is to the northwest, down Lake is to the southeast, and uphill to ridgelines is to the northeast. The fire has established near the ridge line at Skookum Puss Mountain. Current fire behavior indicates progression both up and down Lake. |
| Significant Events | Moderate Creeping Flanking Backing |
| Planned Actions |
Based on current and forecasted weather, Branch I continues to protect critical values along the Lake Chelan shoreline outside of National Park Service (NPS) jurisdiction. Branch II continues structure assessment and community protection in Stehekin and NPS jurisdiction. Divisions A and Z are implementing direct and indirect fire line control features from Canoe Creek to Meadow Creek in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness Area to limit risk to values by checking fire growth along Lake Chelan. Tactical firing operations with ground and unmanned aircraft system (UAS or drone) continue as needed to reduce risk to values. Branch V continues strategic fire line planning and implementation of historic fire lines. Division S is starting fire line construction using historic control lines along the 8200 Road system and Nelson Butte, minimizing the long-term impacts on natural resources. Division S continues maintenance and repair work on the 8200 Road system. |
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| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: Formation of a persistent thermal belt will allow for moderate fire spread overnight with continued consumption of heavy down and dead fuels with short uphill runs. 24 hours: Temperatures will elevate and humidity will remain consistent Tuesday. Expect interior pockets to clean up, producing flare-ups and torching. Spotting potential will be elevated. Active fire behavior is expected. 48 hours: Similar temperatures with increased humidity Wednesday. Expect interior pockets to clean up, with moderate fire spread. 72 hours: Temperature and humidity values Thursday will create conditions for moderate to active fire spread. |
| Weather Concerns | The fire was between weather systems on Monday as temperatures warmed into the 70s and the humidity dropped into the 20% range. Wind continued to be out of the northwest with a few gusts up to 20 mph on the ridges. |
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