Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Update                                

August 22, 2024

Quick Facts

Size: 38,730 acres

Start Date: June 8, 2024

Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA

Containment: 23%

Personnel: 519

Cause: Under investigation

Resources Assigned: 3 crews, 6 helicopters, 16 engines, 22 water tenders, 9 heavy equipment

CURRENT SITUATION: Firefighting personnel flew over the fire area yesterday and found minimal heat on the fire. There has been very little to no growth of the fire in recent days. Yesterday firefighters patrolled the Little Boulder handline and monitored the retardant check line for any heat. Firefighters observed small pockets of heat in the interior of the fire and the fire continues to hold within the handline and check line. South of the fire, resources are completing remaining work to remove vegetation debris from contingency line preparations and repair roads damaged from fire traffic.

Northwest Incident Management Team 3 held a virtual community briefing on August 21. They provided an overview of current fire activity and fire operations. A recording of the August 21 virtual community briefing can be viewed on the Pioneer and Easy Fires Information Facebook Page at facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080. 

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Firefighters will patrol and secure the handline around Little Boulder Creek. They will monitor the check line on Rainbow Ridge for any heat. Crews will continue chipping and hauling away vegetation debris in Stehekin. Crews will monitor the lakeshore by boat, as needed. Resources will continue mastication and debris hauling near Manson. Firefighters are available for initial attack of new fires if needed.

WEATHER: Dry conditions today will transition to wetter late tonight and into tomorrow. Today will be mostly cloudy with a chance of showers after 10 a.m. Winds will be southeasterly on upper slopes and ridges, then down lake in the afternoon. High temperatures will be in the mid- to high-70s.

EVACUATIONS:  Evacuation orders are in place for the Pioneer Fire and 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