Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Update                                

August 19, 2024

Quick Facts

Size: 38,727 acres

Start Date: June 8, 2024

Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA

Containment: 23%

Personnel: 622

Cause: Under investigation

Resources Assigned: 5 crews, 6 helicopters, 21 engines, 25 water tenders, 10 heavy equipment

Virtual Community Briefing on Wednesday, August 21 at 5:30 pm

View the live virtual community briefing on the Pioneer and Easy Fires Information Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080. Please submit questions in advance to 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov or via Facebook Messenger. 

CURRENT SITUATION: In Stehekin, crews on the Pioneer Fire continued mop up operations along the handline near Little Boulder Creek to further secure the line. Air resources supported operations along the Rainbow Creek drainage by dropping water buckets on areas of heat to keep handline in the area in check. Shrub removal and limbing work was completed to secure defensible space of structures. Brushing of roads continued on the south end of the fire near Manson and heavy equipment began to move out of the area. Aerial and ground firefighting resources assigned to the Pioneer Fire assisted local agency personnel with initial attack of additional new fire starts in the area following Saturday night’s thunderstorm.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Firefighters will continue operations to hold the fire below the check line on Rainbow Ridge. They will further secure and improve handlines near Boulder Creek and Rainbow Creek drainages while helicopters drop water to cool hot spots along the fire’s edge. Snag removal operations to mitigate hazards will begin to wrap up around the Stehekin hydropower plant. Structure preparations in this area will continue. Crews will continue to remove brush and vegetation along the contingency lines east of Manson. Air resources will be available for reconnaissance flights and water drops. Firefighters remain available for initial attack needs in the surrounding area.

WEATHER and SMOKE: Moderate weather conditions continue today with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 80s. There is a 10% chance of showers with light morning winds that increase and become down lake throughout the day. A smoke outlook for the Pioneer and Easy Fires is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/f79a6d6d.

EVACUATIONS: Evacuation levels on the Pioneer Fire on Lake Chelan's north shore were downgraded beginning at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18:

• Level 2 (Be Prepared): The Stehekin Valley, from High Bridge south to Adams Point
• Level 1 (Stay Alert): From (and including) Adams Point south to Camas Creek

While evacuation levels in the Stehekin area have changed, the area remains closed to visitors. For more information, please visit: https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/emergency-management/pages/active-emergencies

CLOSURES: 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