Published Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 1900 hours PDT

Photo Credit: Chelan County Emergency Management

INCIDENT SUMMARY: The PIONEER FIRE is located 31 miles northwest of Chelan (Chelan County), Washington State in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness area in the Chelan Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The fire broke out on private land on June 8, 2024.

The cause is said to be a human intervention that is under investigation. Fire Investigators are not releasing what that “human intervention” is.

INCIDENT COOPERATORS: Chelan County EMA, Baker River HotShots, US National Weather Service IMET (from Missoula, Montana), Washington Department of Ecology, Washington State EOC (Camp Murray), Chelan County, Complex IMT (CIMT), Lake Chelan, and many more.

FIRE OPERATIONS: Firefighters are being shuttled by boat due to the limited access as the fire is burning on steep, rugged slopes near the north shore of Lake Chelan and the fire moving quickly.

Photo Credit: Ben Gage, Boise Helitack

A total of 378 fire personnel are assigned along with the support of eight (eight) types of aircraft.

South: According to Fire Officials, the fire is backing downslope into Prince Creek with possible spotting across the drainage where the ridge slopes down to the lakeshore. Structure protection prep work around Canoe Creek should be completed by the end of today.

North: Planners are working to establish a spike camp in Stehekin to position resources to the north.

CURRENT STATUS: The firestorm has burned about 3,811 acres and continues to remain at a 0% containment status.

Photo Courtesy: Inciweb

CLOSED: The USFS, Chelan County, and National Park Service have issued several closures:

US Forest Service

  • The area around the Pioneer Fire

Chelan County

  • Evacuation orders are in effect

Photo Courtesy: NIFC

National Park Service

  • Lakeshore Trail from Stehekin to Flick Creek Campsite
  • Flick Creek Campsite

FIRE INFORMATION MEETING: A Public Meeting was held this evening at 1700 hours at the North Cascades National Park Golden West Visitor Center in Stehekin. No Virtual option was available at the time the meeting was being held.

(L) Photo Credit: Chelan County EMA

EVACUATIONS ARE IN EFFECT: Pioneer Fire Information Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080

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