by Richard Uhlhorn
State Representative’s Michale Steele and Keith Goehner will be attending the Chelan Fire Commission meeting on Wednesday, June 19 beginning at 3 p.m. at the Chelan Fire Hall.
They will be discussing the next steps in the Homeowner’s Insurance Issue.
In a conversation with Commissioner Russ Jones on Thursday, Jone’s said most of the attendees of the meeting held last Tuesday had either had their home insurance cancelled and/or the price increased substantially. “It seems the insurers have been cancelling by Zip Code,” said Jones.
What Jones and homeowners would like to see changed in the Washington State Insurance Codes is a requirement for insurers to individually assess a homeowner’s risk to wildfire before raising fees and/or cancelling a homeowner’s policy outright.
Insurance companies had to pay out millions of dollars in the aftermath of the 2014 Carleton Wildfire risk is on their risk assessment agenda.
Wildfire risk is also on the public’s agenda and major impetus is being placed by Fire agencies to make sure homeowner’s are prepared and Fire Safe.
PIONEER FIRE UPDATE – 6.14.24
The Pioneer Fire has grown to 1,756 acres as of today.
Firefighter access difficulties in the steep, rugged terrain on the north shore of Lake Chelan, 31 miles north of Chelan continue to challenge the 186 firefighting personnel battling the blaze.
Firefighters are maintaining handlines and sprinkler systems to protect both private and public structures from Rex Creek to Pioneer Creek. Six aircraft are assigned to support the firefighting efforts.
Wind and a cold front with low humidity has been a major contributor to the fire’s growth.
The Incident Commander has stated that this fire will be an on-going battle into the distant future.
It is burning well within the confines of the old July, 2001 Rex Creek fire that consumed 60,000 acres and left plenty of dry logs and fuel to reburn.
Some are now saying it will burn until the first snow in November.
Chelan County Emergency Management has expanded its evacuation levels as follows:
- Level 3 – Rex Creek to just north of Moore Point.
- Level 2 – To include Flick Creek
Backpackers still wishing to hike the Lakeshore Trail can access the trail at Moore Point.
More information as it the fire situation becomes available.
All Things Lake Chelan 