Pioneer Fire consumes nearly 2,000 acres, prompts State of Emergency in Chelan County

CHELAN — The Pioneer Fire, which has been ravaging the rugged wilderness along the north shore of Lake Chelan since June 8, has now consumed 1,998 acres of land, prompting Chelan County to declare a state of emergency in response to the growing threat.

Commissioner Kevin Overbay, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, signed the resolution on June 14 after consulting with public safety officers and Chelan County Emergency Management. Commissioners Tiffany Gering and Shon Smith are set to sign the formal resolution on June 17 during the regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners meeting. The emergency declaration allows commissioners to utilize local resources without adhering to the standard government bidding process for goods and services and is a necessary step for securing most state and federal recovery assistance funding.

The fire, located approximately 31 miles northwest of Chelan, is burning in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness Area and on private land. While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, authorities suspect that human factors may have played a role in its ignition.

Brian Gales, the Incident Commander of Northwest Incident Management Team 13, emphasized that the fire is expected to persist on the landscape for an extended duration due to the vast amount of ground fuels and the difficulties in accessing the area. Firefighters are diligently working to maintain constructed handlines, hose lays, and sprinklers to protect structures along the lakeshore.

In response to the growing threat, Chelan County Emergency Management has issued a Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation order for the area around Rex Creek, extending to Hunts Bluff and the Moore Point area. Level 2 (Be Prepared) and Level 1 (Be Aware) evacuation orders have also been put in place for nearby areas to ensure the safety of residents.

The U.S. Forest Service has closed several trails and campgrounds affected by the fire on the north shore as it continues to burn up lake toward the community of Stehekin. A closure order is in effect for the Lakeshore Trail from Prince Creek to the trailhead at Stehekin and portions of the Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness, including Prince Creek, Cascade Creek, and Moore Point boat-in campgrounds. The entire Lakeshore Trail is now closed, and an interactive map of the closure area has been made available to the public.

Firefighting efforts have been bolstered by the deployment of six aircraft, which have been conducting supply drops, logistical assessments, cargo deliveries, and reconnaissance missions. On Thursday, aviation resources delivered 31 passengers into the fire zone and dropped an impressive 105,000 gallons of water to slow the fire's movement and support the 250 firefighters on the ground. A hotshot crew was also inserted into Moore Creek to assist with protecting inholdings.

As the battle against the Pioneer Fire continues, weather conditions remain a significant concern. Today, the area is expected to experience breezy and cooler temperatures. However, a low-pressure system moving in on Saturday may bring even colder temperatures, with lows in the 30s and 40s and a possibility of snow above 4,500 feet elevation. Despite a 60 percent chance of precipitation on Saturday, the amount of rainfall on the fire is not likely to exceed one-tenth of an inch.

Authorities are urging recreational boaters to maintain a safe distance from aircraft utilizing Lake Chelan for water collection and asking the public to adhere strictly to forest closure orders for their own safety and the safety of the firefighters risking their lives to contain the blaze.