Efforts to protect Stehekin working as wildfire surrounds town

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — As of Aug. 5, the Pioneer Fire burning along the Northeast end of Lake Chelan has yet to destroy any homes, even as the fire envelops Stehekin, Wash. — a historic town of roughly 100 residents that is only accessible by boat.

The fire crossed over Hazard Creek over the weekend and pushed directly toward Stehekin. However, Anneta Pritchard, the spokesperson for the team of firefighters currently handling the 35,607-acre blaze, told KOIN 6 News that the fire lines set up around Stehekin are holding. Firefighters have laid 27 miles of hose, hooked up sprinklers and cleared leaf litter to save the tourist destination.

“All efforts to protect the town are working at this time,” Pritchard said.

Firefighters continue to build fire lines around homes and other structures in the Stehekin area as the wildfire moves north. Many of the town's residents have refused to evacuate, despite the level 3, “go now,” evacuation orders issued on July 27.

Approximately 218 firefighters are actively working to control the Pioneer Fire. The fire is 12% contained.