Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Update                                

August 20, 2024

Quick Facts

Size: 38,727 acres

Start Date: June 8, 2024          

Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA

Containment: 23%                

Personnel: 582                       

 Cause: Under investigation

Resources Assigned: 5 crews, 7 helicopters, 19 engines, 25 water tenders, 10 heavy equipment

Virtual Community Briefing on Wednesday, August 21 at 5:30 p.m.

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

CURRENT SITUATION: The Pioneer Fire has been holding within its footprint with limited areas of fire activity or heat. In Stehekin, firefighters continued to secure handline near Boulder Creek and Little Boulder Creek. Their work was supported by water bucket drops to cool hot spots and hold the fire below the check line. A helicopter inserted firefighters on the ridge above Boulder and Rainbow drainages where they prepared a safe area or “helispot” for helicopters to land and deliver firefighters. Crews continued with structure protection operations in the Company Creek area. Near Manson, crews improved area roads with gravel to repair damage from fire traffic and worked to remove remaining snags and felled trees around Cooper Ridge. Pioneer Fire aerial and ground firefighting resources remain available for initial attack of other fires in coordination with local agency personnel.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: In Stehekin, crews will continue structure preparations. If conditions allow, firefighters will be flown to the helispot on the ridge above Boulder and Rainbow drainages to improve the check line to hold the fire below the ridge. Ground operations will be supported by air resources with water bucket drops available as needed. Heavy equipment has started to depart from the south end of the fire as work on the contingency line nears completion. Crews will be available for initial attack in the surrounding area. Northwest Team 3 has assumed command of the Rennie Fire, a new start located north of Stehekin, and will monitor the fire with air resources.

WEATHER: Temperatures will reach the mid to high 70s today with light, down lake winds. There is an increased chance of rain showers in the afternoon with possible isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon.

EVACUATIONS:  Evacuation levels on the Pioneer Fire effective 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. The Pacific Crest Trail is closed in areas across Washington due to multiple wildfires. For more information, please visit: closures.pcta.org/. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire: tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_2248.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