The fire is currently estimated at 300 acres, with more resources being assigned
information and photos released by DNR
Firefighters and aircraft continued initial attack on the Pioneer Fire on Sunday, with multiple ground and air resources assigned. The fire is burning in grass and timber approximately 31 miles northwest of Chelan, Washington, near the shore of Lake Chelan. It was first reported at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, June 8.
Chelan County Emergency Management has issued Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders for the area around Rex Creek and Level 1 (Be Ready) orders from Prince Creek north to Cascade Creek. The Lakeshore Trail is closed from Prince Creek to Moore Point.
A Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) has been requested, and Pacific Northwest Team 13 will assume command of the fire on June 10.
The weather forecast for June 10 in the fire area is sunny, with a high near 76 and a northwest wind of 7 to 10 miles per hour. Stronger winds are expected Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning, with gusts as high as 32 miles per hour.
It is suspected that the fire was caused by a structural fire that spread to the wildland, and it is still under investigation. Anyone with information or photos of the early onset of the fire on June 8 is encouraged to contact Wildland Fire Investigator Bruce Long at bruce.long@dnr.wa.gov
Chelan County Sheriff’s Marine 1 assists with rescue and transport of hikers on the Lakeshore Trail
Sheriff Mike Morrison reports on June 8th, 2024 Chelan County Sheriff’s Office was requested to assist with the response to a wildfire near Pioneer Creek on the north shore of Lake Chelan. The fire is approximately 30 miles up lake from Chelan and is only accessible by boat.
The Central Washington Interagency Communication Center (CWICC) reported the fire crossed the Lakeshore trail and there were several hikers along the trail that extends from Prince Creek to Stehekin. There was also an unconfirmed report of a citizen with injuries near the fire. The helicopter crews on scene were unable to get further information on the injury.
Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol responded on Marine 1, a boat capable of travelling up lake with the ability to transport up to 15 passengers when needed. The CCSO boat checked docks in the area and contacted some hikers at Moore Point. They were able to pick up 7 hikers who needed transport back down lake. As they were leaving, a third-party report was relayed that there was a 16-year-old hiker separated from their family somewhere along the trail. A report was later received from Global Rescue, a service that receives satellite emergency activations saying there was a group of two hikers with a 16-year-old hiker near the Meadow Creek area. They were in need of medical assistance.
Marine 1 was directed to the Meadow Creek dock to pick up the group. The 16-year-old was found to be the missing hiker. He was transported to Prince Creek and re-united with his family. The remainder of the hikers were transported to Field’s Point.
On Sunday, June 9th, CCSO Marine patrol assisted again on the Pioneer Fire. Marine 1 was used to make fire evacuation notifications in the area and to contact any hikers that may have been on the trail. They posted Level 1 notices at all the docks between Canoe Creek and Meadow Creek. Rex Creek is at a Level 3 notice. Deputies contacted people at Canoe Creek who did not need assistance and contacted some hikers at Moore Point who were planning on continuing their hike to Stehekin.
The Lakeshore trail is closed from Prince Creek to Moore Point. National Park Service assisted CCSO with communications during these efforts. For information specific to the fire, please contact USFS or DNR
