Published Saturday, July 6, 2024, 1810 hours PDT

Photo Credit: PIO Heather McLean

The PIONEER FIRE continues to burn about 31 miles northwest of Chelan on Lake Chelan (Chelan County), Washington.

The wildfire broke out from an undisclosed human-caused source on June 8, 2024.

Level 3 evacuations – GO NOW! were issued this morning due to an increased fire behavior showing as active with uphill runs, flanking, and backing, prompting mandatory evacuation orders to be issued for:

Prince Creek

Safety Harbor

Both locations are around Lake Chelan.

The fire has burned about 7,180 acres and is at a 14% containment status, which is great news as firefighters continue to try to reach all of their objectives and extinguish this fire. Full containment is not expected until October 31, 2024, which is less than four months away.

Some challenges remain for resources and equipment, as they are still being brought in by air or by boat.

There is a total of 558 personnel with seven crews, three engines, and six copters. Transfer of command of the fire will be released from NW Team 7, a CIMT to another CIMT (NW Team 12) which will occur on Sunday, July 7, 2024.

The cost-to-date for fire suppression and containment efforts has reached 20.2 Million Dollars.

(c) 2024 NW Fire Blog