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Pioneer Fire

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Coordinates: 48°10′57″N 120°31′51″W / 48.18250°N 120.53083°W / 48.18250; -120.53083
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Pioneer Fire
Aerial view of the Pioneer Fire on July 26
Date(s)June 8, 2024 – present[1]
LocationChelan County, Washington, U.S.
Coordinates48°10′57″N 120°31′51″W / 48.18250°N 120.53083°W / 48.18250; -120.53083
Statistics
StatusOngoing wildfire
Perimeter13% contained as of
August 9, 2024[1]
Burned area36,970 acres (14,960 ha)[1]
Ignition
CauseUndetermined
Map
Pioneer Fire is located in Washington (state)
Pioneer Fire
Approximate location of the Pioneer Fire in Washington

The Pioneer Fire is an ongoing large wildfire in Chelan County, Washington, United States. It was first reported on June 8 on the north side of Lake Chelan and spread northwest throughout wilderness in the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. By August, it had reached the outskirts of Stehekin, prompting evacuations.[1] As of August 9, 2024, it has burned 36,970 acres (14,960 ha) and is 13 percent contained.[1]

History

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On June 8, 2024, a 10-to-15-acre (4.0 to 6.1 ha) fire was reported on private land near Pioneer Creek about 31 miles (50 km) northwest of Chelan in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains.[1][2] The cause is undetermined and remains under investigation, but is suspected to have originated from a human-caused structure fire.[2][3] By the following day, the fire had reached 600 acres (240 ha) in size and prompted evacuations for recreational areas near Lake Chelan. Several hikers were rescued from the Lakeshore Trail via marine transport by the Chelan County Sheriff. Pacific Northwest Team 13 was assigned to fight the fire after it had expanded into the nearby Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest.[2]

The Pioneer Fire grew to 3,811 acres (1,542 ha) by June 17 and the evacuation zone was adjusted to include more recreational areas along Lake Chelan.[4] The fire increased to 20,348 acres (8,235 ha) on July 16 and moved slowly uphill from the lake to ridges as it consumed dead brush and fuel.[5] It continued northwestward along Lake Chelan and approached Stehekin, a settlement at the north end of the lake with 80 year-round residents and no road access to the rest of the state.[6][7] A Level 3 immediate evacuation notice for Stehekin was issued on July 28 after the Pioneer Fire had crossed a key drainage area and moved uphill within 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of the settlement.[7] A ferry service to transport evacuees to an American Red Cross shelter in Chelan was also announced, but many residents opted to remain in their homes.[8] A video message that urged residents to evacuate was also issued by Washington governor Jay Inslee.[9]

On July 30, Chelan County emergency management agency reported that 90 of 95 residents in Stehekin had refused to evacuate; under state laws, evacuations are not mandatory.[6] Stehekin became the headquarters of the firefighting operation, which encompasses nearly 730 personnel housed in resort buildings in the area and over 27 miles (43 km) of hose lines.[10] To prepare for the defense of Stehekin, firefighters cleared trees and brush to establish fire breaks, wrapped historic and vulnerable wood buildings in protective foil, and brought equipment via barges. A floating dock was installed in the event that a large evacuation is needed.[9] The area's lone hydroelectric power plant was also wrapped in protective foil by the Chelan County Public Utility District, which operates Stehekin's microgrid.[11]

The fire is expected to be contained by the end of October.[5]

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2024 Pioneer Fire.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Pioneer". InciWeb. National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Rodriguez, Oscar (June 9, 2024). "Pioneer Fire near Lake Chelan at 300 acres, evacuation notice issued". The Wenatchee World. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  3. ^ Wagner, Nick; Swanson, Conrad (August 8, 2024). "Stehekin residents prepare to defend their town as Pioneer fire nears". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  4. ^ Rodriguez, Oscar (June 17, 2024). "Lake Chelan fire surpasses 3,800 acres, Stehekin meeting Tuesday". The Wenatchee World. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Stamper, Marcy (July 18, 2024). "Chelan's Pioneer Fire doubles in acreage again". Methow Valley News. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Bush, Evan (August 2, 2024). "With a fire burning just miles away, residents of a Washington town dig in". NBC News. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Beekman, Daniel (July 30, 2024). "Stehekin under stress as Pioneer fire draws within mile and half of town". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  8. ^ Martin, Jonathan; Freeman, Caitlyn (July 28, 2024). "Stehekin, pressed by wildfire, is under evacuation but many may stay". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Partlow, Joshua (August 3, 2024). "A wildfire is bearing down on a tiny town. And hardly anyone is leaving". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  10. ^ Gaitán, Catalina (August 5, 2024). "Pioneer fire within quarter-mile of Stehekin in Chelan County". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  11. ^ Taylor, Jason (August 8, 2024). "Chelan PUD Bracing For Pioneer Fire Spread To Stehekin Operations". KPQ. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
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