The National Weather Service has issued another red flag warning for the area, with a dry cold front expected to bring gusty winds and low relative humidity. These conditions are likely to increase fire activity and spread.
Firefighters made progress around the community of Stehekin on Tuesday, clearing brush along the main road to create a contingency line. However, two prominent smoke columns were observed in the afternoon, indicating active fire behavior in the Meadow Creek and Prince Creek drainages.
The fire made short upslope runs around Horton Butte, but helicopter water drops helped prevent it from impacting Fish Creek. Heavy equipment continued to construct contingency lines along the ridge northwest of Gold Creek, while firefighters scouted potential lines down to Lake Chelan.
A total of 818 personnel are now assigned to the fire, an increase from the previous day. Aircraft support remains crucial, with 76,000 gallons of water dropped on the Pioneer Fire alone on Tuesday. Firefighters also responded to a new fire start in the area.
A heat-related medical emergency occurred, resulting in one firefighter being airlifted for treatment. Officials report the firefighter is in stable condition and expected to be released today.
Today's efforts will focus on continuing work along Nelson Ridge, with firefighters building contingency lines and connecting hose lays from the lakeshore. Uncrewed Aerial Systems will be deployed to gather intelligence and infrared data across different sections of the fire.
Structure assessment and protection efforts continue around Deer Point and in the Stehekin community. Crews are also constructing a contingency line along Cooper Mountain Divide toward Antilon.
Despite the fire's growth, officials maintain that the communities of Chelan, Manson, and Stehekin remain open to visitors. However, various evacuation levels remain in effect, and a closure order is in place for much of the fire area within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 10, at 5:30 p.m. at the Manson Grange, with a live stream available on Facebook. An additional meeting will be held at the Golden West Visitor Center in Stehekin on July 11 at 6 p.m.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation but is believed to be human-caused.
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