Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Daily Update                    

August 16, 2024

Quick Facts

Size: 38,721 acres                             

Start Date: June 8, 2024         

Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA

Containment: 23%                            

Personnel: 664                    

Cause: Under investigation

Resources Assigned: 7 crews, 6 helicopters, 21 engines, 26 water tenders, 13 heavy equipment

Command of the Pioneer, Easy, and Flat Creek Fires was transferred to Northwest Incident Management Team 3 at 6:00 a.m. today.

CURRENT SITUATION: The Pioneer Fire is burning on the steep forested slopes above the Stehekin Valley where firefighters are actively engaged in activities to protect homes and infrastructure and limit fire spread. Yesterday firefighters continued constructing direct handline, as close to the fire’s edge as possible, between Boulder and Rainbow Creeks to the ridgetop retardant line. Helicopters supported suppression activities with strategically placed water and retardant drops to cool hotspots and strengthen the barrier to fire spread created by the constructed fireline and retardant line. The fire continues to hold in the Boulder Creek drainage below the fireline. South of the fire and west of Manson, crews continued contingency line preparations.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: In the Boulder Creek area firefighters will continue direct handline construction to stop the northern progression of the fire. Aerial resources will continue to drop water and fire retardant in strategic locations in the Boulder Creek area. In Stehekin, firefighters will continue checking pumps and ensuring structure protection measures remain in place, where needed. Crews will continue to patrol the lakeshore and monitor the southern edge of the fire for any areas of heat. South of the fire crews are working to complete contingency line preparations using chippers and heavy equipment to clear slash and other debris from line preparation activities. Firefighters also remain ready to respond to any new fire starts.

WEATHER and SMOKE: Increased moisture and potential for afternoon showers are forecast for today. There is also a chance of developing thunderstorms today and Saturday which brings the potential for gusty outflow winds, heavy rain, and isolated to scattered lightning strikes throughout the fire area.

A smoke outlook for the Pioneer and Easy Fires is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/f79a6d6d.

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.

 InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-pioneer 

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

Fire Information Line: 541-861-5808, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Email: 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov