lake-chelan – Page 2 – All Things Lake Chelan

Fire agencies worried about fire spread towards Manson

by Richard Uhlhorn

At the last update on July 7, the Pioneer Fire has grown to almost 10,000 acres and Level 3 evacuations have been extended to Safety Harbor. UPDATE: 4 p.m., 7.8.24 – The Incident Command Team is taking over Manson’s Singleton Park as its next fire encampment.

Chelan Fire and Rescue Commissioner Russ Jones has been driving the Fire & Rescue boat in support of personnel working the fire. In a telephone conversation, Jones stated that a back burn operation went well until the down lake wind came up at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening. “It was one hell of a night,” stated Jones who was evacuating fire fighters from the Prince Creek and Canoe Creek locations. “You can’t really see the shoreline at night and then there is all the wood,” he added.

**The Pioneer Fire downsloped to the lake at Prince Creek. Photo by Stephanie Prehim – Chelan Fire and Rescue.**

Jones said he was really happy when the rescue evacuation operation was over at 1 a.m. “I’m really impressed with the firefighters,” Jones said. “They are dealing with heat, dust and smoke, but are really courteous and nice.”

**Firefighters watch the Pioneer Fire burn along the shores of Lake Chelan after being evacuated by Chelan Fire & Rescue personnel. Photo by Stephanie Prehim**

The lower valley should prepare itself for the next week of extreme heat. Jones said that this coming Wednesday afternoon there will be another down lake wind coming out of the west reaching up to 20 mph gusts.

The high temperatures and relatively low humidity will continue to be a contributing factor to increased fire behavior. Fire fighting crews continue to work on protecting structures, both private and public.

Crews continue to bolster the old 2001 Deer Pt. fire breaks all the way to the lake.

Manson Fire Chief Arnold Baker said the down lake wind the other night really screwed things up and he’s not optimistic about the next week. “As I said at the Manson Community meeting, my job is to plan for the worstcase scenario. I still think that’s where we are headed.”

“If the fire jumps the Coyote Ridge breaks it will jump all the others,” stated Baker. He went on to say the Incident Team is really supporting the efforts to protect Manson. “The are doing real legitimate work. We are integrated into the team efforts,” added Baker. “We are preparing to protect Manson.”

District 5 and District 7 are working together. “Brandon and I just finished a meeting with the team here at District 7.”

Smoke has become a regular occurrence in the Lake Chelan Valley, which could help keep daily temperatures a little lower, but not by much.

It is predicted that excessive temperatures will drive fire behavior and continue to grow the Pioneer Fire until the snow falls in November. The fire is currently burning in the old Rex Creek Fire boundary which has a lot of old deadfall, grasses, bushes and other flammable material. The Rex Creek Fire burned over 60,000 acres back in 2001.

Further south of the Rex Creek Fire boundary there is the remains of the Deer Point Fire which took place in 2002 and actually threatened the northern reaches of Manson.

Work is being undertaken to strengthen and open up the old fire breaks on the Grade Creek Road north and along Coyote Ridge to the lake.

Currently, there are 604 personnel on this fire with only 14% containment. Aerial water drops are also continuing non-stop during the daylight hours.

All Things Lake Chelan will continue to stay on top of this emerging story and keep its followers updated as more information comes in.

Busy week ahead

by Richard Uhlhorn

Tuesday – 6.18.24
The visiting Paraglider pilots competing in the OZONE Chelan Open through Friday will continue to fly a variety of aerial tasks starting from the top of Chelan Butte. Look to the sky between noon and 1 p.m. to see the gaggle form above the Butte before the start of each day’s task set forth by the organizer.

At 6 p.m. there will be a major meeting of organizations and agencies at Manson’s Grange Hall. This community forum will include representatives from the Manson Community Council, Manson Parks, Manson Chamber of Commerce and Chelan County Fire District No. 5. The hope is that the community will be able to come together and have more of a say in what happens. Councilmember and Fire Commissioner Chris Willoughby (candidate for Chelan County Commissioner Position 3) will moderate.

A public meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday June 18 at the North Cascades National Park Golden West Visitor Center near Stehekin to discuss and update the community on the Pioneer Fire burning south of the community.

A great place to grab a beer and food.

**Paddle boards are available from Lakerider Sports in Don Morse Park**

Wednesday – 6.19.24
A major meeting concerning the disturbing increase and, in some cases, cancellation of homeowners insurance will take place at the Chelan Fire Hall beginning at 3 p.m. This meeting brings State Representatives Michael Steele and Keith Goehner to discuss how the State Legislature can bring change to the way the insurers decide on massive rate increases and/or cancellations.

Thursday – 6.20.24
It is Ladies Night at Lakeside Surf. Lakeside Surf General Information. Spectators are always free. It is a great spot to get an early morning coffee from the Vine Coffee Kiosk and watch the dawn patrol surf the largest standing wave in the United States. Lunch is available at the Taco Truck and Two-Can Jenny’s offers soft drinks and beer. No Cash accepted…only Cards.

Friday – 6.21.24
The annual Lake Chelan Art Show begins in Riverwalk Park and will continue through Sunday, June 23.
The OZONE Chelan Open Paragliding Competition ends.

Saturday – 6.22.24
The U.S. Open of Paragliding begins with a practice day on Saturday with the professional competition beginning on Sunday, June 23 through Friday, June 28. This year’s annual competition has 128 pilots confirmed from 24 different countries. US Open of Paragliding – 2024 (airtribune.com)

**Cycle Chelan begins at 8 a.m. from Don Morse Park as bicyclist ride out to their chosen ride.**

The annual Rotary event, Cycle Chelan begins at 8 a.m. as hundreds of cyclists hit the roads in and around Chelan, Manson and the South Shore. Be aware and careful while driving.

Other fun stuff:
Just visiting Chelan for some well earned vacation time. Check out these amenities that make memories while you visit:

Lakerider Sports – Paddleboard and kayak rentals. Rent Kayaks and Paddleboards – LakeRider Sports Chelan
Shoreline Watercraft & Boat Rentals in Chelan, Manson and Wapato Point. www.shorelinewatercraft.com
Chelan Mini Golf and Rally Alley at Don Morse Park
Lake Chelan Golf Course
Echo Ridge Trail System – great family hike and bike friendly trails
Visit a winery. My favorites – Vin du Lac Winery; Hard Row to Hoe; Karma; Benson; and Lake Chelan Winery, all of which are AVA estate wineries.
There are plenty of restaurants to tickle your taste buds.

State representatives to attend fire commission to discuss insurance issues

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.

City Council to discuss AI and funding for Boys and Girls Club

by Richard Uhlhorn

Artificial Intelligence:
“Our priority is getting more engagement from the Community,” said Mayor McCardle. “This platform will make it easier to go out to the community.”

She introduced the representative from Fulcrum Management Solutions who made a presentation to the Council and staff at last week’s workshop meeting on an AI engagement and research platform called the ThoughtExchange.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform will supposedly help the City engage with its residents in a more meaningful way through its data driven open ended survey capabilities. “It is more solution based on what’s working and what’s not working,” said the representative Jasmine.

Councilman Bob Goedde mentioned that many residents in Chelan are older and don’t have the necessary smart phones or computers to engage. “I don’t have a smart phone,” remarked Goedde.

McCardle told the Council that there are many AI applications the City could use. “We would own it, but it comes with an account manager,” said McCardle during a telephone conversation.

The $25,000 cost would be split between each department.

It will be discussed at this Tuesday evening’s Council meeting but no decision will be made at this point.

American Rescue Plan Act Funds:
The City has $233,000 ARPA funds remaining to be spent by the end of the year. These funds were allocated to the Anderson Road Project, but the Council was informed by City Administrator Wade Farris that the City was approached by the Chelan Community Center about supporting the Boys ;

Maribel Cruz, executive director, told the Council and staff at the June 4 workshop that the Lake Chelan Community Center has secured a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club to provide 10,000 sq. ft of space at the Center.

She provided a game plan for school age kids to use the space as a fun and safe place.

According to Mayor McCardle, the remaining ARPA funds would be used by the Boys and Girls Club for tangible items like computers etc. The City is also considering entering into a 15 year lease of the space at a cost of approximately $16,000 per year for the maintenance and operations.

PUD Park Prioritization:
The Council was also given a list of Riverwalk Park improvements that the HDCA (Historic Downtown Chelan Association) would like to see. The improvements they would like the City to consider includes:

Making the pavilion more usable year-round;
Make power more accessible throughout the upper areas of the park;
Improve the restrooms;
Improve the picnic shelter area
Add some interactive sculptures or waer features in the upper park area; and
Provide public restrooms on the south side of the park across the river from the Chelan side.

These improvements would require some City funding, but since Riverwalk Park is a PUD Park, it would make sense to enter into a collaborative effort to undertake some of the improvements suggested by the HCDA.

In other business:
The Waterfront Advocacy Group consisting of Art Campbell, Ron Foster and Greg Petersen, proposed an expansion of dock space in Riverwalk Park near the pavilion. The group expressed a need for a more expansive lakefront access to the downtown area.

This proposal is a moderate 40 t0 60 foot extension to the existing PUD dock beside the original bridge which could be designed to minimize any obstruction to the main Chelan River passing under the bridge. The group would also like to see a floating day use dock and access ramp installed just west of the pavilion.

These issues will be discussed at the Tuesday, June 11 City Council meeting which begins at 6 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend. Comments can be made by the public at the beginning of the meeting, or if it is an agenda item, made at that time.

Manson Community Council visits numerous issues facing community

by Richard Uhlhorn

Manson Community Forum:
Instead of sending out a Community Survey, the Manson Community Council in association with the Manson Chamber of Commerce, Fire District and Parks Department will hold a live Community Forum at the Grange Hall on June 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. “We need to bring the community together,” said Kari Sorenson.

Street Parking Issues:
Chelan County Commissioner Tiffany Gearing told the Council that Chelan County has placed survey markers along Pedoi Street designating County right of way. Many of the residents have infringed on the County right of way and Gearing said, “Letters are being sent out to the property owners.”

The letters are asking the residents to remove any improvements they may have made within the right of way, and if they don’t comply, the County will come through and do it. The residents have until June 3 to comply.

The right of way will be turned into parking. One issue that came up was the residence across the street from the Parks Building that have installed a retaining wall in the right of way. Asked if it would be removed, Gearing said she wasn’t sure.

Gearing was also asked where does the county stop writing notices of right of way violations. Gearing replied, “If it is not causing a problem, we don’t enforce.”

She was asked if the County was considering the Botske problem all the way up. “If they would pull that Island out so trucks can make that turn it would stop them from using Wapato Way,” said one resident. Gearing replied she would look into that.

Sorenson added that she would like to see no boats, boat trailers or overnight parking on Pedoi. “Is that something Manson can get added to the code,” asked Sorenson.

Colville Tribe Plans:
Gearing said she and other county officials took a field trip with the Colville Tribes. “They were great to work with and told us the Casion/Hotel plan was on hold indefinitely.”

“We realize they don’t have to share, but we need to plan around what they are doing,” she stated.

Bob Goedde, Chelan liaison with the Council remarked that the tribe is currently looking at building a casino complex in Tri-Cities where there are 250,000 residents. “They asked us for a letter of support for the Manson casino,” said Goedde. “We asked for more information, but never got more information.”

Gearing also reported that Chelan County was trying to bring back a lumber mill. “The goal is to promote forest health,” said Gearing who added that the DNR, Forest Service and Representative Schier’s office are all on board with the plan.

STR regulations:
Gearing was asked if there had been any changes to the County’s Short Term Rental codes? “Nothing has happened yet,” she said. She said solutions to the code have been discussed and getting rid of some of the irrelevant language in the code. The proposed changes will go to the County Planning Commission in July or August along with a public comment period on any changes proposed.

Stehekin Master Plan:
Gearing also reported that the County was working with the National Park Service, PUD and residents of Stehekin on a Master Plan for the area. “There are so many interest groups making it difficult to manage,” she said.

Chelan liaison:
Chelan Councilman and Manson Community Council liasion Bob Goedde reported on several issues currently on the City’s agenda.

He mentioned the City Parks PROS plan that will be released soon and can be read on the Parks website. The Six Year Transportation plan and the Transportation Benefit District being proposed to the City’s residents.

Agritourism with wineries being allowed to have homestay units or not.

Goedde also mentioned the current Our Valley Our Future program and suggested that the Manson Council appoint someone to the committee.

Regarding Goedde’s efforts to make the old Woodin Avenue Bridge two-way again, Goedde said the difference in Chelan’s transportation woes would be changed dramatically if the bridge was turned back to a 2-way bridge. “It would reduce traffic flow on Johnson and Saunders from 600 vehicles to 400 vehicles.”

Manson resident John Olson however, shot back that idea and explained the entire public process that turned the bridge into a one-way into town. “Eventually someone would be killed which would be a City liability if turned back,” explained Olson. He added that there were engineering reports and council approval to change the bridge to a one-way when Mike Cooney was mayor.

Agritourism:
Brian Patterson brought up the Bluewater Terrace proposal to construct 20 homestay units on land that is not currently in agriculture. He said that the developer, Tim McDonald was led to believe the City code supported his proposal, but that the Hearing Examiner denied the homestay proposal.

**Wine grapes and apple orchards still dot the landscape in Manson.**

The Bluewater Terrace development has led the City planners and Planning Commission to try and rewrite the agritourism code so it will accommodate a much broader development plan. “Hopefully, there is a compromise (code) without completely destroying agriculture,” said Patterson.

Sorenson stated that her family received a bill from Manson Growers after delivering their crop to the warehouse. “Even our blueberries. We can’t sell our blueberries.”

**This view of Blueberry Hills blooming blueberries with apple orchards and new homes dotting the horizon creates an entire new look to the Manson district’s landscape.**

Gearing remarked that the couple who started Chelan Valley Farms came to the Valley to start an agritourism business. “They figured out how to make it work,” she said.

Olson replied that it is going to take some smart thinking. “Every farmer is just hanging on.”

One visitor remarked that people want to keep the trees. “People are going to lose the very reason they are coming here.”

Orchardists are being forced to make hard decisions. Should they keep farming, or should they pull their trees and turn the acreage into housing lots. A new agritourism code that allows reasonable expansion of homestay may be the only alternative for them to stay in the farming business.

Sorenson added, “I don’t know whether we still qualify as a rural village anymore.”

The Manson Community Council meets on the third Wednesday of each month and the community is encouraged to attend. The meetings are held in the Parks Meeting room beginning at 6 p.m.

Chelan Butte feasibility study stopped

by Richard Uhlhorn

Chelan Butte and its potential development outcomes has captured the interest of many residents in the Lake Chelan Valley.

**Chelan Butte dominates both the Chelan and Columbia River. A 900 acre portion on the Chelan side is under option for development.**

On Thursday, May 9, Peter Dykstra, Trust for Public Lands (TPL), was back at Chelan Senior Center to follow up on his Chelan Butte Feasibility Study public meeting held on April 4 to gather unput from the community.

A portion of that feasibility study was to seek what funding might be available to purchase the 900 acres in question from the owner, Golden Gate Ventures; Who might take on the acquisition (the land is within the City of Chelan limits and zoned for tourism development; and Who might assume the Maintenance and Operations of that land once it is in the public domain.

Unfortunately, Dykstra told the estimated 30 people attending Thursday evenings meeting that conditions were not right to move forward with the study. He announced that the TPL was stopping their efforts and preserving what funding the State Legislature approved for the study.

“I don’t think this is the end of the Story!
Peter Dykstra, TPL

Dykstra added that the closure of the TPLs efforts does not mean that open lands and recreation efforts on the Butte should stop.

“I know that is disappointing to folks,” said Dykstra. “We don’t think the conditions are (currently) right for us.”

**Chelan Butte dominates the lower Lake Chelan Scenery. Many Valley Residents do not want to see any development happen on the Butte.**

“There is not an owner willing to sell and there is no agency/organization willing to take ownership,” said Dykstra. “We don’t force owners to sell.”

“This was not an easy decision for us. If the conditions were reversed, we would be happy to come back,” added Dykstra.

However, Dykstra also added, “I don’t think this is the end of the story.”

Going forward, the community waits on the developer to let them know what the specific development plans are. The developer has not made any application to date on the property. Issues continue to be water, relevant City codes to adhere to and other concerns.

At this point, the property remains in private hands and the community can only wait until the developer lets the public know what the actual development plan is.