Pioneer Fire expands, prompts urgent evacuation of Stehekin

STEHEKIN — The Pioneer Fire has grown to 33,277 acres, triggering an urgent evacuation order for the remote community of Stehekin as firefighters battle to protect the area.

Chelan County Emergency Management issued a Level 3 "Get out now!" evacuation notice for Stehekin, effective 8 a.m. Sunday, July 28. The order covers the area from just north of Moore Point through the Stehekin Valley, as the fire crossed the Fourmile drainage and progressed northward.

Evacuation levels have been adjusted for areas down lake. The area from Moore Point to Safety Harbor has been downgraded to a Level 2 evacuation notice. Safety Harbor to Camas Creek is now under a Level 1 fire advisory. The Level 1 advisory has been lifted entirely for the area from Camas Creek to Mitchell Creek.

The blaze is only 10% contained, with 712 personnel now assigned to the fire. Firefighters, working alongside a state-mobilized structure protection group, have installed hose and sprinkler systems, reduced flammable material around homes, and constructed a fireline around Stehekin.

Recent fire activity and spread has been concentrated in the northwest corner of the fire, with some active burning in the Prince Creek drainage. Much of the perimeter along the lakeshore has been contained, and the fire has not crossed the Sawtooth range on the eastern edge.

Crews are relocating from Lucerne to support strategic firing operations in Stehekin. Along the lakeshore, firefighters continue to patrol, mop up, and conduct strategic firing around structures as conditions allow.

Weather forecasts predict warm and dry conditions with temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s, and afternoon wind gusts up to 15 mph. An air quality alert has been issued for Chelan County due to smoke from the fire.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has implemented a closure order for much of the fire area, and a Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire zone.

As the Pioneer Fire continues to threaten the region, authorities urge residents to stay informed and follow evacuation orders for their safety.