It may take some time for all tourist services in the town of Stehekin to return to normal, but tourists can now return to the remote community at the head of Lake Chelan

The threat from the 38,000-hectare Pioneer Fire has been reduced sufficiently to
Chelan County Emergency Management lowers evacuation level to Level 1.

The changes came into effect at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Brun Garfoot, co-owner of Lake Chelan Boat Company, says his operations resumed today. Tours to Rainbow Falls, also offered through the boat company, and some other boat tours developed when Stehekin was closed to tourists because of the fire danger, are also resuming. Check with Lake Chelan Boat Company for tour options.

The Stehekin Valley Ranch and Stehekin Bakery will also soon return to normal operations after several busy weeks of providing meals to the fire department.

Limited services will be available until the North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin Landing reopens. Visitors should check with all Stehekin area businesses to see when they will be able to resume full service.

Garfoot says that despite a 38,000-acre fire burning on the north end of the lake, sky conditions were not very smoky compared to previous fire seasons.

“Smoke levels in general have actually been lower than a typical August and September is one of the best months to visit Stehekin. Hopefully people will come out and support all our friends and help us get off to a good start in 2025.”

The 38,000-acre fire forced Stehekin to be on high alert for over a month, including several weeks of mandatory Level 3 (LEAVE IMMEDIATELY) alerts. All tourism-related residents were evacuated on July 25 under a Level 2 order.

As the fire surrounded the city, no buildings were damaged.

Read more: How you can help businesses in Stehekin after the Pioneer fire

Emergency officials remind residents and visitors returning to Stehekin to continue to exercise caution and be prepared that evacuation measures may be increased again at any time until late fall, when the fire is expected to be fully extinguished.

Latest news on the fire in Stayman Flats

The Stayman Flats fire is now in the final stages of cleanup. The 31-acre fire that started Tuesday about 1.5 miles southeast of Chelan is now 86% contained.

Firefighters have contained the fire using flame retardants, bulldozers and handlines. Crews are extinguishing any remaining hot spots. With cooler temperatures and rain expected today, firefighters are expected to finish cleanup today and monitor the area for any remaining heat.

Today a low pressure system will move into the region, with a high probability of rain in the afternoon. Isolated rainfall is expected until Saturday afternoon.

The cause is being investigated