Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Update for July 29, 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: 33,277 acres*  
Start Date: June 8, 2024   
Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA  
Containment: 15%   
Personnel: 698  
Cause: Human-caused, under investigation 
Resources Assigned: 10 crews, 4 helicopters, 28 engines, 27 water tenders, 17 heavy equipment  
*Acreage estimate is pending updated infrared mapping.  

CURRENT SITUATION: There was minimal fire spread along the lakeshore beyond Fourmile Creek yesterday, however, the fire was active further up the drainage, crossing into Hazard Creek. Along the lakeshore, crews have been successful protecting structures as the fire spreads northward. They continued to mop up and patrol yesterday while preparing for additional strategic firing that may be needed to protect homes and other values at risk. Firefighters worked to widen the fireline and remove vegetation around power poles in the Boulder Creek area of Stehekin Valley. Sawyers continued felling trees that pose a danger to firefighters working in the area near Rainbow Bridge and Boulder Creek in preparation for strategic firing actions.   

Lone Fir Creek continues to not show any heat along the southern flank of the fire. Crews will continue to monitor the area for any potential fire activity. Mastication and other vegetation removal to clear the contingency line on Nelson Ridge continued. Road improvements in Black Canyon, Gold Creek, and near Antilon Lake also continued.  

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Fire spread is expected to moderate today with cooler temperatures and higher humidity in the fire area. Along the lakeshore, crews will continue to mop up and patrol around structures and will conduct strategic firing where necessary to protect homes. Firefighters will continue to work further into Stehekin Valley, removing vegetation to widen and improve the fireline, and felling snags or trees that pose a danger to firefighters working in the area. A specialized wildland fire module that provides additional capabilities has been deployed to Stehekin to support strategic firing operations. Crews will continue mastication and other contingency line work, along with road preparations in the Oss Peak, Gold Creek, and Antilon Lake area.  

WEATHER AND SMOKE: Cooler weather is expected today with widespread clouds and a chance of rain. Hot and dry conditions will return by the end of the week and persist into next week. An air quality alert remains in effect 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