8/7/2015 Wolverine Fire Update

QUICK FACTS - INCIDENT SUMMARY

• ·         Approximate acreages: Wolverine Fire - 27,394 acres; Blankenship -170 acres; Goode Fire - 687 acres
• ·         Fire Containment: 20%
• ·         Resources on the Fire: Crews - 12; Engines - 19; Water Tenders -8; Bulldozers -4; Helicopters – 8
• ·         Total Personnel: 493
• ·         Structures lost: 1 residence and 3 minor structures
• ·         Jurisdiction: USDA-Forest Service; National Forest Service; Washington State DNR; Chelan County Sheriff; Chelan County Fire Districts #7 and #10

The Wolverine fire grew to approximately 27,394 acres with expansion yesterday to the west up Railroad Creek towards Holden and to the north in Castle Creek. The fire is about 4 miles east of Holden Village and a mile southwest of Stehekin. The fire is now 20% contained as crews have controlled active fire along Lake Chelan, except on the northern and southern-most ends.

Fire crews continued with structure protection work in Holden and have established a fuel break around the community. Firefighters are assessing additional opportunities to intervene in the fire's movement up the Railroad Creek drainage towards Holden, using burnout operations as a tool. Mop up and patrol to protect structures and campgrounds in Lucerne and along Lake Chelan are increasingly effective. Helicopter water drops to support the structure protection crews were rarely needed yesterday, freeing the helicopters to focus on slowing fire growth in more active areas of the fire.

Firefighters extended and strengthened a contingency line for 4 miles along the Stehekin River Trail yesterday with the intent of stopping the fire spread into Stehekin from the west should the fire move past the Castle Creek drainage on the north. As spot fires grew in heavy timber on the north side of Castle Creek, crews began fire line construction from the bottom of Castle Creek up to the ridge between Castle and Onemile Creeks. As they constructed line, the crews installed hose-lays and burned out fuels between the line and Castle Creek. Meanwhile, helicopters dropped aerial ignition devices to burn fuels on the south side of Castle Creek. All businesses and travel to/from Stehekin remain open.

Firefighters continue to evaluate opportunities to limit movement of the fire to the south. The fire grew slowly in Pyramid drainage yesterday due to natural features such as rocky outcroppings, as well as less continuous fuels. Fire crews, bulldozers, and other heavy equipment continue to remove fuels along the Shady Pass Road which will be used as a contingency line if the fire continues to move south.

Blankenship Fire: Monitoring continues to show minimal fire activity. The fire is in the south fork of Agnes Creek and upslope along the sides of avalanche chutes. High rocky ridges surrounding the fire are serving as good barriers to fire growth.

Goode Fire: Helicopter water drops yesterday slowed fire spread in the Park Creek drainage within North Cascades National Park, while smokejumpers worked to pinch the fire off on its southern flank. Fire lines on the north, east, and west sides have been tied into rocky ridgetops and a glacier.

Expected Fire Behavior:  The Wolverine Fire will continue to show slow growth to the south along Lake Chelan. It will continue to burn to the west in Railroad Creek and to the north in Castle Creek. The Goode Fire will slowly continue to burn south and down Park Creek.

Weather: The gradual warming and drying trend is expected to continue today with temperatures in the low 90s and the humidity dropping to 11% to 15% this afternoon. Winds will be very light and out of the northwest for much of the day, so smoke will hang in drainages. Reduced visibility will likely limit helicopter use from 10 am to 3 pm today. This trend will continue into Friday. On Saturday the weather pattern begins to change, bringing an increased chance of thundershowers throughout the weekend.

Evacuations/Closure Information: Level 3 evacuations are still in effect for Holden Village, Lucerne, Domke Lake, Riddle and Lightning Creek. Domke Lake, Lucerne and Refrigerator Harbor campgrounds are closed until further notice.

Incident Command Post is now at Chelan Falls Park.

New phone number for Fire Information is 855-581-3862.

Community meeting at the Stehekin School,  August 7, 5 pm.