Single Publication

Pioneer Fire Update  

August 24, 2024

Quick Facts

Size: 38,735 acres                 

Start Date: June 8, 2024          

Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA

Containment: 23%                

Personnel: 448                        

Cause: Under investigation

Resources Assigned: 7 crews, 6 helicopters, 12 engines, 20 water tenders, 9 heavy equipment

CURRENT SITUATION: Rain fell over the fire area yesterday and into the evening. Fire activity is minimal, mostly smoldering in the Boulder Creek and Little Boulder Creek drainages. There has been little to no growth over the last week and the fire continues to hold below the Boulder Creek check line. Yesterday crews patrolled the hand line along Little Boulder Creek and Boulder Ridge and also monitored the area for heat using an unmanned aircraft system (UAS). Work to clear roadsides of vegetation piles continued in Stehekin and firefighters began to back haul excess equipment along the lakeshore. South of the fire near Manson crews continued to haul vegetation debris and repair roads damaged by fire-related traffic.

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, firefighters will continue patrolling the Boulder Creek and Little Boulder Creek area to check for any heat or fire activity. Crews will also work to finish remaining chipping of vegetation debris as weather conditions allow. Along the lakeshore and south of the fire, backhaul of equipment that is no longer needed will continue. Firefighters continue to be available for initial attack of new fires.

WEATHER: Fall-like conditions will continue today, with rain showers lingering into the afternoon. Expect partly cloudy skies with high temperatures in the 50s. 

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