07/08/2015 Wolverine Fire AM update

Information: (New number) 509-682-4990   Wolverinefire62915@gmail.com

Location:  3 miles northwest of Lucerne, Washington

Start Date: June 29, 2015

Size: Approximately 317 acres                                        

Percent Contained: 0%

Cause: Lightning                                                  

Personnel Assigned: Approximately 117

Vegetation: Timber                                                           

Growth Potential: Medium

Notice: Hikers and backpackers; be aware trails leading into Holden Village are temporarily closed while Holden Village is at a Level 2 evacuation notification.  If you are planning a visit to the Holden area, please check Inciweb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4354/ prior to your departure or call the Chelan Ranger District (509) 682-4900 for specific information.

The lightning-ignited Wolverine Fire continues to burn in very steep and rough topography. Increased humidity and diminished temperatures have slowed the fire’s activity.

Smoke over upper Lake Chelan was more dense on Tuesday and will likely continue into today as smoke from  both the Wolverine Fire and other fires in the region has spread across Northcentral Washington.

Crews have completed much of the preparation along the Holden Road (FS Rd 8301) and will finalize that work today. Additionally, crews will continue structure preparation work today.

A storm moved through Upper Lake Chelan yesterday afternoon generating two new dry lightning fire starts. The Chelan Ranger District was quick to respond to the new fires, sending in smoke jumpers for initial attack on one and a helicopter rappelling firefighting team for the other. The teams worked through the night to swiftly contain the fires and will continue their efforts today.

For precautionary reasons, the Chelan County Sheriff has issued a Level 2 evacuation notification for Holden Village and Lucerne.  The Level 2 notification was issued primarily due to the single road access into Holden Village from Lucerne and potential impacts from the fire to the evacuation route should fire behavior increase and prevailing winds push the fire eastward.  A Level 2 evacuation means “be ready”.

Neither Holden Village nor Lucerne are presently threatened by the Wolverine Fire.

Refrigerator Harbor Campground at Lucerne remains open to the public.

No structures have been burned to date and one minor firefighter injury reported.

Resources Assigned to the fire:

• two 20-person hotshot crews and two 20-person initial attack crews.
• two helicopters
• four boats 

Fire Information: For further information on the Wolverine Fire please visit http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4354/