Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Update  

August 23, 2024

Quick Facts

Size: 38,730 acres

Start Date: June 8, 2024

Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA

Containment: 23%

Personnel: 444

Cause: Under investigation

Resources Assigned: 7 crews, 6 helicopters, 11 engines, 20 water tenders, 9 heavy equipment

CURRENT SITUATION: The Pioneer Fire remains within the same footprint. In Stehekin, firefighters continued work on Little Boulder handline, mopping up any hot spots as needed. There was no visible smoke in the Boulder Creek area and the retardant check line is holding. Crews continued chipping of vegetation piles along roads. South of the fire, road work to repair damage caused by fire traffic is ongoing. As objectives are met, equipment and resources are being released from the incident.

Following a change in evacuation levels yesterday, Stehekin is now open to visitors. Many fire-related hazards remain in the area and services may be limited or altered. Additionally, many trails and campgrounds remain closed due to these hazards. Visitors should confirm available services before traveling. 

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: In Stehekin, patrol of handlines and check line at Little Boulder and vegetation debris chipping will continue. The perimeter along the lakeshore has been contained and crews are working to repair the fireline in that area, pulling the berm and duff layer back over the constructed line. There has been no movement of the southern edge of the fire in the last month, giving increasing confidence that the fire will continue to hold within its existing footprint. Approximately 5 miles of hose lay from the Nelson Butte contingency line south of the fire will start to be removed; however, the hose system on the Coyote Ridge contingency line will remain in place. Resources assigned to the Pioneer Fire continue to be available for initial attack of new fires should a need arise.

WEATHER: Precipitation is likely across the Pioneer Fire this afternoon into tomorrow morning. Temperatures will be in the mid to high 70s with uplake wind gusts.

EVACUATIONS: Chelan County emergency management downgraded evacuation levels for the Pioneer Fire and Stehekin area, effective August 22, 2024. To view the current evacuation levels, please visit the Chelan County Emergency Management Facebook page at facebook.com/CCSOEM or view the https://chelangis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/media/index.html?appid=ca1e19e4123b4002a9fb176b25434e03/.

CLOSURES: Many trails and campgrounds remain closed. Check the current closures for the North Cascades National Park: https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices before traveling to these areas. 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