Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Update                                

August 21, 2024

Quick Facts

Size: 38,730 acres

Start Date: June 8, 2024

Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA

Containment: 23% 

Personnel: 558                        

Cause: Under investigation

Resources Assigned: 5 crews, 6 helicopters, 15 engines, 23 water tenders, 9 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: Crews continued to make progress on operations around the Pioneer Fire, which is still holding within its footprint. Infrared flights have detected only scattered isolated heat at the southern edge of the fire and along the eastern perimeter below Sawtooth Ridge, where there has been minimal fire activity and no fire spread. In the Stehekin area, a helicopter inserted firefighters on the ridge above Boulder Creek drainage to further secure the retardant check line. Crews also continued to secure the handline near Little Boulder Creek where they have mopped up to a depth of 100 feet. South of the fire, resources continued mastication work near Oss Peak, debris haul from Cooper Ridge, and road repair due to damage from fire traffic. Pioneer Fire resources including engines, crews, dozers and operations staff assisted with initial attack of the Stayman Fire, a new fire located near Chelan Butte. Northwest Incident Management Team 3 took command of the Stayman Fire at 7:00 a.m. this morning.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: In Stehekin, crews will work to complete the hose lays around structures in the valley and will continue chipping and hauling away vegetation debris. Firefighters will also continue to secure the Little Boulder handline. Crews will continue mastication and debris hauling near Manson. Air operations are available to support ground crews if needed. Crews assigned to the Pioneer Fire will continue to be available for initial attack of new fires in coordination with local agency personnel.

WEATHER: There will be cloud cover throughout the day, with temperatures in the mid 70s. There is a 20% chance of isolated showers. Light winds will be generally down lake in the morning, becoming terrain driven later in the day.

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

The Stehekin 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: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices 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