Ground and air assets battle Pioneer Fire near Lake Chelan

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

2 2 minutes read

Chelan County Emergency Management said the initial attack on the 300-acre Pioneer Fire 31 miles northwest of Chelan continues with more ground and air resources arriving today.

Fire burns in grass and wood near the shores of Lake Chelan. It was first reported at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, June 8.

Location of the Pioneer Fire near Lake Chelan Image: Chelan Co. Emergency Management

Pacific Northwest Team 13, a complex incident management team, took command of the fire at 6 a.m. Monday.

Other ground teams have been ordered and are arriving by boat, and possibly by seaplane and/or as part of a smoke jump operation.

The Baker River Hot Shots ground crew has been working the fire and since Monday afternoon the aerial attack has included fixed-wing planes and helicopters equipped with buckets, snorkels that suck water from the lake and Super scoopers that skim the surface to load water to pour onto the lake. flames.

The fire is burning in spots across 300 acres in steep, rocky terrain.

Pioneer Fire Image: Chelan County Emergency Management

Supervisors identified that the goal for Monday was to burn fuels, work on containment lines and begin cleanup work in areas where some of the fire has been contained. Crews want to accomplish as much as possible before strong winds arrive in the area Tuesday.

Chelan County Emergency Management

Pioneer Fire Image: Chelan County Emergency Management

How did the Pioneer Fire start?

The cause is under investigation, but it is suspected that the fire originated from a structural fire in a yurt that spread to the wild. Anyone with information or photos of the early stages of the fire on Saturday, June 8 is encouraged to contact wildfire investigator Bruce Long at [email protected].

Monday's weather conditions for the fire were forecast to be sunny with a high near 76 and a northwest wind 7 to 10 miles per hour. Stronger winds are expected Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning, with gusts up to 32 miles per hour.

Evacuation orders and restrictions

The Chelan County Sheriff's Office has issued a Level 1 Fire Advisory for the north shore of Lake Chelan between Canoe Creek and Meadow Creek. The Rex Creek area is under a Level 3 evacuation. The Lakeshore Trail is unusable between Prince Creek and Meadow Creek.

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