Stehekin, a boat-in-only resort town located on the scenic Lake Chelan, has been placed under an urgent Level 3 evacuation notice as wildfires continue to encroach upon the area. The notice, issued at 8 a.m. on Sunday, covers the region from Stehekin Landing to the popular High Bridge campground along the Stehekin River.

Chelan County Emergency Management, in conjunction with local authorities, has taken swift action to inform and evacuate residents. An estimated 80 residents were personally visited by Chelan County sheriff's deputies, who went door to door to ensure everyone was aware of the situation. Additionally, an email blast was sent out to the community to provide notice of the evacuation.

Remarkably, this is the first time Stehekin has faced a Level 3 evacuation, making it a unique situation for this boat-in-only community. Despite the severity of the notice and the imminent threat posed by the Pioneer fire, it is expected that most residents will choose to remain in their homes. According to Sgt. Jason Reinfeld of Chelan County Emergency Management, there is no legal mandate to enforce evacuation in Washington.

Efforts to evacuate visitors to the popular resort were initiated on Thursday under a Level 2 notice. Ferries have been scheduled to transport residents out of the area, and the American Red Cross has set up a shelter in nearby Chelan to accommodate those displaced by the fires.

The Pioneer fire, which has been burning on the eastern side of Lake Chelan since early June, has now crossed a crucial drainage point and is burning uphill towards Stehekin. Lauren DeRocher, spokesperson for the Pioneer fire incident command, explained that this uphill trajectory could potentially cause the fire to grow further.

In addition to the evacuations in Stehekin, numerous trail, campground, and road closures have been implemented throughout the Cascades, including the closure of a significant portion of the U.S. Forest Service's Chelan Ranger District north of Lake Chelan.

Stehekin resident Cliff Courtney estimated that approximately 40 residents remain in the town, along with firefighting crews who are now stationed at the Stehekin Valley Ranch, located about nine miles upriver. Despite the option to evacuate, Courtney continues to operate the Stehekin Ferry, providing a vital lifeline for the community.

The isolated nature of Stehekin means that it lacks cell service and reliable internet connections. In an effort to protect the town, firefighters are laying down protective lines, including sprinklers and hoses. Collaborating with private homeowners, they are also creating defensible spaces around residences.

Four designated safe zones, such as the airport and the ranch, have been identified in Stehekin to provide ample access to water in case the fire reaches the town. Living with nature's unpredictability is a part of life in this area, but the financial impact on the tourist-dependent town is significant, according to Courtney.

Meanwhile, near Yakima, the Retreat fire has forced the closure of Highway 12 from the junction at Highway 410 to White Pass. Level 3 evacuation notices are in effect for nearby communities of Cowiche and Tieton, while Level 2 evacuation notices are in place for parts of Tieton and Cowiche. The fire, which started last week, has already grown to more than 18,000 acres. Firefighters are making progress in suppressing the fire's eastern edge, which poses a potential threat to the towns.

As the authorities continue to battle these wildfires, residents and visitors are urged to follow evacuation notices and stay updated on the rapidly developing situation.