Pioneer Fire growth slows, but heat wave looms

STEHEKIN — Firefighters battling the Pioneer Fire made modest gains Tuesday, but an impending heat wave threatens to reverse their progress. The fire, which has been burning since June 8, has now consumed 33,762 acres.

Cooler weather on Tuesday allowed fire crews to make headway, particularly along the northern edge of the blaze. Water drops from helicopters, and scooper aircraft between Hazard Creek and Fourmile Creek successfully cooled hot spots and slowed the fire's advance along Lake Chelan's shoreline.

Firefighters are using this lull in fire activity to bolster community protection measures in Stehekin, which remains under evacuation orders. Crews have been installing sprinklers and hose lays up the Stehekin Valley towards Harlequin Bridge, while also felling hazard trees and reinforcing protection lines throughout the area.

However, the National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Watch for Friday and Saturday. This weather shift, combined with increasing dryness and potential thunderstorms starting Thursday, could reignite more aggressive fire behavior.

Firefighters plan to insert crews into the lower slopes between Fourmile Creek and Hazard Creek on Wednesday to suppress hot spots and coordinate with aerial water drops. Work continues on improving contingency lines along Nelson Ridge and creating a shaded fuel break from Cooper Ridge to the Antilon Lake area.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for multiple areas around the fire.

As of Wednesday, 674 personnel are assigned to the Pioneer Fire. The cause remains under investigation.