Community of Stehekin Under Level Evacuation

Pioneer Fire Update from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office

information released; photo courtesy Travis Avery

With the progression of the Pioneer Fire toward Stehekin, Chelan County Emergency Management has issued a Level 3 evacuation notice – get out now! – for the community. The notice takes effect at 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 28.

The new Level 3 notice applies to the area from just north of Moore Point through the Stehekin Valley, including the Stehekin landing and west to High Bridge.

In addition, evacuation levels are changing down lake. Moore Point to Safety Harbor has been downgraded to a Level 2. Safety Harbor to Camas Creek has also been downgraded to a Level 1 fire advisory. And the Level 1 fire advisory has been lifted from Camas Creek to Mitchell Creek.

As of late afternoon Saturday, the fire burned about 500 acres, crossing Fourmile Creek and encroaching on areas that trigger the fire team’s consideration of a Level 3. With Sunday’s forecast for similar fire-prone conditions, more fire growth is anticipated, promoting the decision to put in the Level 3 on Sunday morning. Residents of Stehekin were notified of the Level 3 on Saturday evening.

“We are urging residents to evacuate at this time,” said Sgt. Jason Reinfeld of Chelan County Emergency Management. “People who choose to ignore the evacuation notice must understand that while emergency services and firefighters will be working hard to protect the community, we may not be available if a fire is upon someone’s home.”

When evacuating, people are advised to use the recommended parking area at the airfield that has been established for this evacuation. Shuttle buses running along Stehekin Valley Road will provide transport to the landing. Areas of refuge, with shuttle service, have also been established at the Stehekin Ranch, airfield, Buckner Orchard and Stehekin bakery.

Evacuee transport down lake to Chelan is being provided by two local boat companies. Departure times may change as the fire progresses, but at this time departure times at the Stehekin landing are at 10:40 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. daily. Any changes to departure times will be posted to the Emergency Management website and Facebook page. Shuttle service to the landing begins one hour prior to each departure time.

The American Red Cross will establish a shelter if needed. It would be at the Chelan community gym, 317 E. Johnson St. Upon docking in Chelan, evacuees would be transported to the community gym by Link Transit buses, if needed.

On July 25, the agency issued a Level 2 notice, requiring all tourism-related visitors to leave the community. Approximately 130 people, most of them visitors staying in Stehekin, were evacuated to Chelan with the help of the Lake Chelan Boat Company and the Stehekin Ferry.

“Many local partners, from public agencies to private businesses, have stepped up to assist the Stehekin community when they need them the most,” Reinfeld said. “We thank everyone for their cooperation on Thursday and for their support.”

The Pioneer Fire, which was at 32,048 acres on Saturday, is burning on the north shore of Lake Chelan. More information about the fire and firefighting efforts is at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-pioneer