On June 8th, the Pioneer Fire was reported burning on private land 31 miles northwest of Chelan and quickly spread onto US Forest Service land, including wilderness. Fire managers are using a full-suppression strategy to protect private property, public infrastructure, and natural and recreation resources, while minimizing risks to responders and the public. Part of the rationale for a full-suppression strategy is that the origin of the fire was on private land, and it is suspected to have been human-caused. Fire managers are contracting with area businesses to support opportunities of local economy. The communities of Chelan, and Manson are open and continue to welcome visitors. Initial attack resources attempted direct tactics early on, but were challenged by the extremely steep and remote terrain on the east side of Lake Chelan that can only be accessed by boat or air. Full suppression efforts are being implemented utilizing a combination of direct, indirect, and point protection where the highest probability of success can be safely achieved. Firefighters continue to establish firelines and hose lays, working in conjunction with water-dropping aircraft.Much of the fire area is within wilderness, but crews actively assessed structures around Lake Chelan / Stehekin and completed structure protection actions to increase defensibility. Assessment and protection measures continue up valley towards Stehekin Ranch.Chelan County is continually updating evacuation levels as fire activity changes. Please see the 'Announcements' tab for current information by area.The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the National Park Service have a closures orders in place for the Pioneer Fire. For more information, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices and https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/fire-closures.htm.The Pacific Crest Trail is closed in this area. For more information, please visit: closures.pcta.org/.
Pioneer Fire 0.0000, -0.0000
WILDFIRE reported in Washington, DNR Southeast Region
Last updated 4 months, 4 weeks agoReported Sat, Jun 8, 2024 at 11:48 AM via WACWCIncident # 2024-WASES-000173
Nearby Weather Conditions
Incident Weather Concerns
Your contribution makes a difference. Donate to support our work.
ContributeIncident Overview
Basic Information
James Osborne, ICCI(t)
Noel Livingston, Deputy ICCI
Randy Johnson, Deputy ICCI
Current Situation
Timber (Grass and Understory)
Short Grass (1 foot)
Timber (Litter and Understory)
Fuels in the area are highly modified by previous fire history. Abundant snags, heavy accumulations of downed woody material, grasses, young conifer growth and shrub patches occupy most the landscape. The area is a mosaic of fuel patches with rock scree and outcrops serving as partial barriers to fire spread.
Minimal, creeping, smoldering
Observed fire behavior today was mostly smoldering in Boulder Creek and Little Boulder Creek drainages. Isolated and scattered heat remains in heavily sheltered timber and in previous burn scars within jackpots of dead and down fuels. Snags and heavy fuel accumulations are present due to fire history in and around the fire area. Lake Chelan's strong diurnal winds and steep topography are contributing to suppression challenges.
Outlook
Branch IV - Continue suppression repair activities while providing IA support within IA boundary as well as to local agencies as requested.
Continue to evaluate effects of recent precipitation over the fire area and support local initial attack as needed/requested.
24 hours: A warming and drying trend returns to the area, however minimal, isolated fire activity is expected to persist from scattered heat sources.
48 hours: Warming and drying trend continues, however minimal, isolated fire activity is expected to persist from scattered heat sources.
72 hours: Warming and drying trend continues, however minimal, isolated fire activity is expected to persist from scattered heat sources.
72 hours: Fuel conditions will require an extended drying period before becoming readily available.
Current Weather
Tuesday, August 27:
A dry cold front pushed through the area early this morning. While few light showers accompanied the front, most of the fire footprint remained dry. Gusty west-northwesterly winds pushed in behind the front along with cooler temperatures. Winds gusted 20 30mph along the lake and upwards of 35mph on exposed ridgelines. Daytime minimum relative humidity was around 25 to 30 percent due to the dry westerly flow, although sheltered locations were not as dry.
Wednesday, August 28 through the weekend:
A ridge of high pressure will slowly build over the Pacific NW with hotter and drier weather Wednesday through the week. After a few days of stronger winds, the high pressure will keep winds lighter and largely terrain-driven for the latter half of the week. Despite the lighter terrain-driven winds, elevated fire weather conditions will be in place as above normal temperatures and low relative humidity linger into the weekend.
Public Information
Pioneer Fire Information
Email: 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov
Phone: 541-861-5808
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Dispatch Center
Central Washington Interagency Communications Center (WACWC)
Wenatchee, WA