Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Update for July 25, 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: 31,584 acres                             

Start Date: June 8, 2024         

Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA

Containment: 14%                            

Personnel: 729            

Cause: Human-caused, under investigation

Resources Assigned: 9 crews, 4 helicopters, 25 engines, 28 water tenders, 12 heavy equipment

CURRENT SITUATION:  Yesterday fire activity increased in the Flick Creek drainage, crossing the creek above the constructed a check line. The fire continues on a northwest trajectory towards Fourmile Creek and in the direction of Stehekin. As a precautionary measure, Chelan County Emergency Management issued a Level 2 evacuation notice for the community of Stehekin, from Hazard Creek through the Stehekin Valley, including the Stehekin landing and west to High Bridge effective 8 a.m. Thursday, July 25. All tourism-related visitors and all campers and hikers are required to leave Stehekin on July 25. More information, including boat schedules, is available from Chelan County Emergency Management at https://t.ly/QoH9w.

Crews have been successful protecting homes and outbuildings along the lake shore, burning out vegetation around structures and public infrastructure as the fire has progressed northward. Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft continued aerial water drops to slow fire spread. In Stehekin, firefighters worked in collaboration with the state mobilized structure protection group to reduce fire risk around homes and private property. The south end of the fire continues to hold in the Lone Fir drainage where there has been no movement for several days. Indirect control lines between the southern edge of the fire and Manson are prepared and ready to be used if needed.

The incident management team hosted a community meeting in Manson last night to provide updates on the fire. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on the Pioneer Fire Information Facebook page.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Firefighters will continue protecting homes along the lake shore and are prepared to strategically burn out vegetation between control lines and the fire’s edge to slow spread towards the community of Stehekin. Aircraft will also continue to perform water bucket drops within the Flick Creek and Fourmile Creek drainages. Work to reduce fire risks around homes in Stehekin will continue and firefighters will be laying a hose and sprinklers system and testing to ensure it is working properly. Crews will continue monitoring the southern edge of the fire in the Lone Fir drainage. 

WEATHER: Strong northwest winds are expected today, 10-20 mph with gusts of 25 to 30 mph, slowing into tomorrow morning. Cooler, moister, conditions are expected, with high temperatures in the 70s.

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: https://bit.ly/PioneerClosure. 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