7/5/2015 Wolverine Fire AM Update

For immediate release: JULY 5, 2015; 10:00 a.m.
Information: Chelan Ranger District, 509-682-4931

 Approximately 3 miles NW of Lucerne, Washington

Start Date: June 29, 2015, reported at approximately 6 am.

Size: Approximately 175 acres                         Percent Contained: 0%

Cause: Lightning                                                   Personnel Assigned: Approximately 110

Vegetation: Timber                                            Growth Potential: Medium

The lightning ignited Wolverine Fire is burning in timber in extremely steep and rocky terrain in the Wolverine Creek drainage. The fire is located on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Fores approximately 3 miles northwest of Lucerne, Washington and is about 175 acres.

The fire was ignited by lightning Monday morning June 29th.

No structures have been damaged, and none are currently threatened. The fire is visible from Lucerne and the upper portions of Lake chelan.  Smoke is visible along the lake and at Chelan but is light and all businesses are open.  Smoke from the area fires to the NE has contributed to the smoke in the area.  A Type 3 Incident Management Team from Arizona assumed command of the fire for the Chelan Ranger District effective July 3rd. 

All crews are working on preparatory measures should the fire move south into Lightning Creek. 
Crews are working alongHolden Road (FR 8301) and in Lucerne. For precautionary reasons, 
the Chelan County Sheriff has issued a Level 2 evacuation notification for Holden Village and 
Lucerne. Fire behavior may increase in the next few days due to predictedhigh winds and
low humidity.
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 evacuationroute should fire behavior increase and prevailing winds push the fire eastward. A Level 2 evacuation means “be ready”.
Neither Holden Village nor Lucerne are threatened by the Wolverine Fire at this time.  There is a TFR flight restriction over the fire and down to the lake.

Resources Assigned:

 Firefighters: two 20-person hotshot crews and two 20-person initial attack crews.

Two light helicopters

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