Published Friday, June 28, 2024, 2315 hours PT

(L) Photo Credit: Chelan County EMA

INCIDENT SUMMARY. The Pioneer Fire ignited by a human cause on June 8, 2024, is burning about 31 miles northwest of Chelan but on Lake Chelan in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness Area in the Chelan Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service – Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

FIRE BEHAVIOR. Observed fire behavior by firefighters and managers has been active with creeping, backing, and flanking.

COMMAND. IC Nate LeFevre, CIMT NW Team 7.

RESOURCES. 628 total personnel, 14 crews, 2 engines, and 6 copters.

INACCESSIBILITY. Due to poor inaccessibility, and steep and rugged terrain, firefighters, equipment, and supplies have had to be boated in, while others have to walk around the vast lake to reach other locations near the burning wildfire.

FIRE STRATEGY. According to Fire Managers, they are using a full suppression strategy and are aiming to minimize impacts to private property, public infrastructure, and natural and rec resources. They are currently using indirect fire attack and point zone protection.

PRINCE CREEK AREA: Firefighters assessed the area to determine where they needed to position for protection. Hoses and pumps were moved to Moore Point for future staging/fire operations.

LAKESHORE AREA: Near the Lakeshore, structures are currently under structure protection.

BOULDER CREEK AREA: Brush and snags were cleared up by crews. A structure protection plan would be going into effect this evening.

SIZE UP. There have been 4,711 acres burned and a 7% containment status remains. Fire Officials expect full containment to occur on Halloween (10/31/2024).

CLOSED. U.S. Forest Service – Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: portions of the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness and surrounding areas. This includes 4 campgrounds, trails, trails, and the 8200 (Grade Creek) road systems. https://bit.ly/PioneerClosure

EVACUATIONS. Per Chelan County Emergency Management, Evacuations on the north shore of Lake Chelan have been changed from

* Level 3 downgraded to 2 in the Flick Creek Campground south of Fir Creek.

* Level 1 (down lake) Lone Fir Creek to Safety Harbor (up lake) Flick Creek Campground to and including the Fourmile Creek camping area.

Evacuations: https://chelangis.maps.arcgis.com/…media/index.html

COST-TO-DATE. 13.3 Million Dollars

(c) 2024 NW Fire Blog