Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Update for Thursday, June 20, 2024

CHELAN, Wash. — The Pioneer Fire is burning in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness Area in the Chelan Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and on private land 31 miles northwest of Chelan.  Stehekin, Chelan and Manson are open and continue to welcome visitors.

Infrared mapping shows the fire grew less than 300 acres since Sunday evening and is holding between Meadow Creek to the north and Prince Creek to the south. This is a full suppression fire and firefighters are using all available strategies and tactics to identify potential containment opportunities.

Today, a new operational branch will be established in Stehekin, staffed by two National Park Service wildland fire modules. An additional helibase is being established at Stehekin airport to support firefighting efforts on the north flank of the fire more directly.

Structure protection between Moore Point and Hunts Bluff is expected to be complete soon, along with structure protection of federal assets around Flick Creek. Protection measures around infrastructure and private homes between Rex and Canoe Creek are complete. Crews are patrolling and developing plans to reinforce these protections if needed.

Road work continues along the Grade Creek Road (8200 Road), where crews have reached the Poison Creek drainage near Camp Four. Hand crews and heavy equipment are also making progress on containment lines that may be needed in the future along Coyote Ridge between the lakeshore and Summer Blossom. Motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays and are encouraged to avoid the area. Antilon Lake remain open.

Yesterday, aviation resources flew several reconnaissance missions and delivered smoke monitoring equipment to Stehekin for more accurate reporting in addition to strategic water drops to cool and slow the fire edges while crews work on the ground. Tuesday, air resources logged 29.5 hours of flight time, transporting 36 personnel, 18,000 pounds of cargo, and 145,000 gallons of water.

EVACUATIONS: Evacuation levels have not changed since Sunday, June 16. Please visit County of Chelan, Washington for the most current information on evacuations.

Smoke & Air Quality: A wind shift expected later today could increase the likelihood of MODERATE conditions in Chelan, Manson, and Methow by the late evening with improvement overnight. Stehekin may see periods of MODERATE in the late afternoon as well. Check current air quality conditions at https://bit.ly/PioneerFireSmoke. Learn more about health impacts and becoming Smoke Ready at smokeready.org.

Closures: A public safety closure order is in effect for the Lakeshore Trail from Prince Creek up lake to the Lakeshore Trailhead at Stehekin and portions of the Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness. The closure includes Prince Creek, Cascade Creek, Moore Point, and Flick Creek (NPS) boat-in campgrounds. An interactive map of the Forest Service closure area can be found at https://arcg.is/0Wbivn. 

To receive fire updates via email, sign up at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/PndMhvq 

Public information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080

E-mail: 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov

Phone: 509-210-2926 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

Washington Smoke Blog: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/