Lake Chelan Now

07/31/2024

Photos of some of the protection work being done in Stehekin.

07/30/2024

Pioneer Fire update. A look at what happened overnight, plans for today and another Community meeting in Manson scheduled for Wednesday.

07/30/2024

A much welcome bit of rain slowed activity on the Pioneer Fire yesterday.

Quick Facts for July 30, 2024:


• 33,277*
• 15% contained
• Cause: Under investigation
• 11 crews, 4 helicopters, 29 engines, 27 water tenders, 17 heavy equipment
*no updated IR data due to weather conditions


• 528 acres*
• 0% contained
• Cause: Lightning
• 5 engines, 4 crews
*no updated IR data due to weather conditions

Yesterday, cooler weather with a little bit of rain slowed fire activity on the Pioneer and Easy Fires. Firefighters are taking advantage of the reduced fire activity to continue line preparations in Stehekin and use helicopter water buckets drops to further slow the progression of the Pioneer Fire. This is a welcome weather break as hot and dry conditions are forecasted to return this week.

07/29/2024

Fire forces temporary closure of Stehekin Post Office. Provisions in place for Stehekin residents to receive their mail and packages.

Alternative Locations for Mail Pick Up are Available information released, file photo The Pioneer Fire affecting Chelan County has caused the temporary closure of the Stehekin Post Office location. All mail and retail service operations for the Stehekin Post Office have been moved to the Chelan Post...

07/29/2024

The Monday operational update on the Pioneer Fire can be watched here. Officials report limited growth overnight on the Stehekin end of the fire.

07/29/2024

The community gym in Chelan is now serving as a Red Cross evacuation center for those displaced from Stehekin due to the Pioneer Fire. Lake Chelan School District Superintendent Brad Wilson was initially told there had been no requests to house anyone, but
later word was received that there were 15-20 people in need of shelter. Uplake Fire photo from Saturday courtesy of Mark Lippencott.

07/28/2024

Update: The Lake Chelan School District reports they have not received any requests to shelter anyone from the Stehekin Evacuation. At this time at least, there will no evacuation center set up at the Community Gym in Chelan.

While on a Level 3 evacuation notice, the Stehekin Valley Ranch will be used as a staging area. We share this information update and short video from the Ranch.

07/28/2024

Some positive news today on the down-lake portion of the Pioneer Fire with a downgrading of some evacuation levels.

Pioneer Fire Evacuation Level Updates: Along with the new Level 3 from just north of Moore Point through Stehekin, evacuation levels changed down lake as well today. They are being downgraded.

Moore Point to Safety Harbor has been downgraded to a Level 2. Safety Harbor to Camas Creek has also been downgraded to a Level 1 fire advisory. And the Level 1 fire advisory has been lifted from Camas Creek to Mitchell Creek.

Keep up on evacuation levels in Chelan County at https://chelangis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/media/index.html?appid=ca1e19e4123b4002a9fb176b25434e03

07/28/2024

A Level 3 (Get Out Now!) evacuation notice will go into effect starting tomorrow, Sunday, July 28 at 8 a.m. Thinking of Stehekin residents and the firefighters on the Pioneer Fire tonight. The Level 3 applies to the entire Stehekin Valley, from Moore Point to the Landing and west to High Bridge, and Emergency Management strongly recommends all residents and property owners leave as it is an emerging situation and emergency responders may be unable to reach you.

Thank you to Travis Avery for the photo.

07/27/2024

Saturday update on the Pioneer Fire.

07/27/2024

Good news. North Cascades Highway reopened on Friday.

07/26/2024

Stehekin Ferry is continuing to offer transportation on Lake Chelan.

We are continuing to support the local traffic to and from Stehekin, as well as offering full service to Lucerne/Holden.

The Stehekin Clipper is still operating on its regular daily schedule within the following parameters:

To Lucerne/Holden Village - FULL SERVICE - all passengers are welcome. If you have been contemplating a visit to Holden, this is a great time to go!

To Stehekin - Residents or Fire Support only - due to a level 2 evacuation notice, we have been asked not to book passengers to this port who are not residents of Stehekin or fire support. We will of course start taking all passengers again as soon as the level 2 is lifted.

07/26/2024

Senator Hawkins sees a need for quicker air response when dealing with wildfires.

“More air assets and initial attacks are key to addressing Chelan County’s long-term fire risks” information released; WSDOT photo State Senator Brad Hawkins has fielded many calls and emails from residents in recent weeks due to July’s Balsam Root Fire in Wenatchee and the current Pioneer F...

07/26/2024

Another community meeting on the Pioneer Fire will be held in Stehekin at 5pm Friday at the Golden West Lodge.

Pioneer Fire Community Meeting in Stehekin on Friday, July 26 at 5pm. Meeting will be at the Golden West Visitor.

Due to limited connectivity, the meeting will not be live streamed. However, the meeting will be recorded and dependent on recording quality it will be posted on the Pioneer and Easy Fire Information page.

07/25/2024

The impacts of closing Stehekin to visitors looms large for many businesses at both ends of the lake. Stehekin is currently at a Level 2 status due to the Pioneer Fire. Please read the following post from the Lake Chelan Boat company on ways to possibly help.

Good Morning Everyone,

As many of you know the Pioneer Fire has placed Stehekin on a level 2 evacuation notice. This means unfortunately that we will not be taking tourists or overnight guests into Stehekin. We will, however, still be bringing groceries, freight, mail etc. until there is a reason not to. We will continue to serve the Port of Lucerne and Holden Village. As many of you know this has a huge impact on many of our friends and fellow businesses in Stehekin, the Ranch, the Bakery, the Lodge, the Garden, Stehekin Reservations, and Discovery Bikes are just a few. Both the Stehekin Ferry and ourselves, the Lake Chelan Boat Company will suffer in ways we have not seen since COVID and perhaps worse depending on how things go.

Wondering what you can do to help folks out:

1: Accept a gift card instead of taking a refund on booked reservations

2: Move your reservations to next year but do not cancel.

3: Buy family members gift cards for use at a later date to support folks

4: Decide you don't want a refund and help these businesses attempt to survive.

As always we are focused on looking ahead and not back and we look forward to serving you all again, hopefully really soon 🙂.

God bless everyone and stay safe.

Best regards,

Brun Garfoot
Reed Courtney

07/25/2024

Alarming news on the Pioneer Fire for Stehekin. The community of Stehekin has been placed under a Level 2 evacuation notice that is effective as of
8 am Thursday. While residents are allowed to remain, all visitors must leave the area and no tourists will be allowed to visit while the order is in effect. All campers, hikers and tourism related visitors will be required to leave Stehekin today. Residents and property owners are being advised to prepare to leave at a moments notice. More details below.

07/25/2024

Officials investigating cause of fire that destroyed the city owned recycle building. The Rotary 911 Glass recycle operation also badly damaged. Read below for more.

Cause of fire is under investigation by Dennis Rahm Late Wednesday morning a fast moving fire broke out at the City of Chelan owned recycle facility. There was also significant fire damage at an adjacent open air covered attachment that houses the Rotary operated glass recycling operation. City offi...

07/24/2024

The Wednesday morning video briefing on the Pioneer Fire.

07/24/2024

Update: 2nd Alarm commercial building fire at the Recycling center. City of Chelan reports all employees were able to safely exit and that Highway 97A is closed between Apple Blossom Dr and the airport. Photo courtesy of Kris Austin.

07/24/2024

A reminder that there is a Manson Community meeting this evening on the Pioneer Fire. Meeting starts at 5:30 at Manson High School and also can be viewed online.

There will be a Manson community meeting Wednesday at 5:30 PM at the Manson High School. This meeting will be streamed live on the Pioneer Fire Information page. Please submit questions in advance to [email protected] or via Facebook Messenger.

07/23/2024

A reminder that the Stehekin Community meeting on the Pioneer Fire starts at 5 this evening in the Golden West Lodge.

There will be a Stehekin community meeting Tuesday at 5:00 PM at the Golden West Visitor Center. There will also be a Manson community meeting Wednesday at 5:30 PM at the Manson High School. The meeting in Manson will be streamed live on the Pioneer Fire Information page. Please submit questions in advance to [email protected] or via Facebook Messenger.

07/23/2024

Homeless Housing Network opens in new Wenatchee location at Columbia Station.

Coordinated Entry Program is key component to available housing services information released; Network staffing from the left, Juan Loeza, Coordinated Entry specialist; Angela Ervin, Coordinated Entry lead; and Jon Davies, Coordinated Entry specialist. The Chelan-Douglas Homeless Housing Network, wh...

07/23/2024

State Mobilization arrived in Stehekin today. Community meetings on the Pioneer Fire have been scheduled for Tuesday in Stehekin and Wednesday in Manson.

07/23/2024

Local fire department assists State Mobilization Strike Team in Stehekin working the Pioneer Fire.

07/22/2024

State American Legion conference attended by Manson and Chelan students.

Manson and Chelan High School Students attend State Conference information released; photo left to right- Marie Cannon, Addison Richmond (Manson High), William Hutchinson (Manson High), George Rohrich, Ian Calderon (Manson High), Robin Bloch and Maria Garcia (Chelan High). Manson American Legion Com...

07/21/2024

Wildfire in the Methow closes Highway 20.

SR 20 CLOSED: Effective 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, SR 20 North Cascades Highway is closed in both directions between Granite Creek (MP 148) and Easy Pass trailhead (MP 157) due to wildfire activity and fire mitigation on the Easy Fire.

There is no estimated reopening time, and there are no local detours, so take US 2 or I-90.

I know it feels like we just went through this (we did!), but this is what we mean when we say wildfire conditions can change quickly.

Do not attempt to go around Road Closed signs.

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CERRADA: A partir de las 4 p.m. del domingo 21 de julio, la Carretera Estatal 20, también conocida como la Carretera de la Cordillera de las Cascadas Norte, estará cerrada en ambas direcciones entre la Acequia de Granite Creek (milla 148) y el inicio del sendero de Easy Pass (milla 157) debido a un incendio forestal y los esfuerzos para contener el incendio conocido como el Easy Fire.

Hasta ahora no hay un pronóstico de cuándo se pueda reabrir la carretera, y no hay desvíos a nivel local, por lo tanto, se le pide utilizar la Carretera Estatal 2 o la Carretera Interestatal 90.
Yo sé que parece que recientemente tuvimos que hacer todo esto (y así fue,) pero esto es lo que queremos decir cuando avisamos que las condiciones de un incendio forestal pueden cambiar rápidamente.

Por favor no intente pasar los letreros que indican que el camino está cerrado.

07/21/2024

Here’s the Sunday written update from the Pioneer Fire Management Team. In the earlier released video briefing it was mentioned that State Mobilization will arrive in Stehekin on Monday to assist with structure protection work.

07/21/2024

Video update Sunday morning from the new Pioneer Fire Management team that has taken over today.

07/21/2024

Officials try to clear up messaging on concerns and efforts to protect Stehekin from the Pioneer Fire.

PRESS RELEASE:

Chelan County Sheriff's Office:
‘Protecting Stehekin, its citizens our top priority in Pioneer Fire’

STEHEKIN, WASH. – In a message to Stehekin residents and others concerned about the Pioneer Fire, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office assures the public that emergency responders and Complex Incident Management Teams are united in one goal: Protect the community of Stehekin.

Misinformation on social media in the most recent days has led to some incorrect speculation over fire tactics on the Pioneer Fire, which is burning on the north shore of Lake Chelan and is currently about 4 miles from Stehekin. Both the Sheriff's Office and Chelan County Commissioners Office have received many emails from private individuals, expressing concern over wildfire-fighting tactics.

"This is unfortunate, because it detracts from our emergency planning efforts," said Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison. "However, we do understand. These are people's lives, businesses and homes, and with any wildfire comes much stress. But I want to be clear that state, federal and local agencies are working tirelessly on this fire and a strategy is in place to protect the community. We are all on the same team, working together for the same results -- protect Stehekin and keep people safe."

Stehekin, from the landing to High Bridge, is currently under a Level 1 fire advisory. Stehekin residents have been briefed that Emergency Management is prepared for a Level 2 (be prepared to evacuate) notice if the incident management team and Emergency Management determine it is necessary. A new Complex Incident Management Team, the fourth team since the fire started in early June, assumes command of the fire on Sunday, July 21.

"This incoming incident command team, Northwest Team 3, includes several local names, like former Chelan County fire chiefs Mike Burnett and Randy Johnson," said Rich Magnussen, Emergency Management specialist. "The team consists of several U.S. Forest Service employees who live in our area, and the incident commander has served many stints fighting wildfires in the Lake Chelan area. We are in great hands, with people who know our area well."

In a community meeting earlier this week, fire officials shared that multiple attempts had been made to stop the fire well south of Stehekin. These earlier attempts were not successful due to extreme fire behavior and very steep terrain. Fire managers have evaluated numerous locations to try and stop the fire from reaching Stehekin; however, rugged terrain, heavy fuels and hazards to firefighters have limited the viability of these locations. A fire strategy is in place and preparations are complete for firefighters to provide point protection to the community, protecting homes and businesses within the Stehekin Valley. Any private actions by community members may jeopardize this plan and the safety of fire personnel, Magnussen warned.

Emergency Management strongly encourages Stehekin residents to stay informed on the Pioneer Fire by signing up for the county's emergency notification system, Everbridge, while also participating in regularly held community meetings. The meetings provide crucial updates on firefighting efforts and offer an opportunity to ask questions. A fire message board and public information officer are also located at the Stehekin landing.

Other resources for official fire information are at:

InciWeb: Pioneer Fire Information https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-pioneer

Pioneer and Easy Fires Information

Pioneer Fire Information telephone line: 541-861-5808.

Chelan County Emergency Incidents Map https://chelangis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/media/index.html?appid=ca1e19e4123b4002a9fb176b25434e03

Chelan County Emergency Management Active Emergencies
https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/emergency-management/pages/active-emergencies

Morrison emphasized that the county is working in collaboration with the Complex Incident Management Team and supports its strategy for keeping the community safe.

"We have been beside the Stehekin community from the start of this fire, providing strategy for evacuation planning and input into wildfire management while also speaking with residents," Morrison said. "We will continue to be at the community's side until this fire is put out."

Link to Everbridge signup: https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/emergency-management/pages/emergency-alerts

07/19/2024

Be on the lookout for your Primary Voter Ballot.

The 2024 Primary Election is almost here! information released You can anticipate receiving your primary election ballot soon, as the Chelan County Elections Office will mail ballots to registered voters on Friday, July 19. The primary election is August 6. Visit the Chelan County Elections page for...