Firefighting Efforts Making Progress in Pioneer Fire Containment

Fire Update: August 17, 2024

information released; photos courtesy of Stehekin resident Krissa Jester

CURRENT SITUATION: Firefighters successfully constructed direct handline between Boulder Creek and Little Boulder Creek drainages tying into the ridgetop retardant line. Aviation supporting the area around Stehekin was able to execute a series of retardant bucket drops before thunderstorms forced air operations and ground crews to disengage. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds from these storms create hazardous working conditions in the form of rolling debris, falling trees and landslide risk. Firefighters patrolled the Stehekin area overnight checking for fire activity and ensuring structure protection measures remain in place. The fire has been contained along the lakeshore. Firefighters continue to patrol and protect cabins, docks and other infrastructure along the lake. The southern perimeter of the fire continues to show little to no heat and crews continue to monitor the area for any potential fire activity. South of the fire and east of Manson, firefighters worked to protect structures near Deer Point and hauled away brush and debris created from previous contingency line work.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: In and around the community of Stehekin, crews will patrol the handline in Little Boulder Creek near the fire’s edge reducing any heat near the line. Helicopters will resume strategic water and retardant drops where needed to cool hotspots and support firefighters’ efforts on the ground. Firefighters will check the miles of hose and sprinklers around the community to ensure everything is fully operational. Near the airstrip, contingency line preparations will also continue. Crews patrolling the south side of the fire will be poised and available to respond to any initial attack needs in the surrounding area if new fires result from recent lightning. Contingency line preparations, including shaded fuel break work south of the fire and east of Manson, is nearing its end with crews having completed vegetation cutting and now working to complete remaining brush and debris removal.

WEATHER and SMOKE: Today will be warm, with temperatures in the 80s. There is a high likelihood of developing thunderstorms occurring in the evening and into the early hours of the morning on Sunday. The forecasted weather system is anticipated to bring gusty outflow winds, heavy rain, and isolated to scattered lightning strikes throughout the fire area.

A smoke outlook for the Pioneer and Easy Fires is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/f79a6d6d.

EVACUATIONS: Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation levels remain in effect around the Pioneer Fire. Please visit https://t.ly/QoH9w for more information.

FOREST CLOSURE: Current closures for the North Cascades National Park: https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has a closure order in place for much of the fire area: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest – Alerts & Closures (usda.gov). Campfires are prohibited. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_6779.html. Unauthorized drone activity is prohibited under the TFR.

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