8/10/2015 Wolverine Fire Update

Wolverine Fire:  Firefighters have made great progress confining the fire’s movement to the north and south. The fire continues to slowly progress to the west up Railroad Creek.  With active fire controlled along Lake Chelan, the fire remains 20% contained. The fire is12 miles uplake from 25-Mile Campground and 30 miles from Chelan.  

On the northern portion of the fire, helicopters dropped water in the Castle Creek drainage yesterday to assist crews with mop-up efforts after a successful burnout operation that has taken place over the past several days. Crews also continued improving fuel breaks and inserting hose lays and pumps along a 4 mile section of Stehekin River Trail, as well as structure protection assessment throughout Stehekin Valley. Cooperative weather and effective tactics prevented growth on the northern edge of the fire. All businesses and travel to and from Stehekin remain open. Today crews will continue with mop-up in Castle Creek, improving fuel breaks, and assessing structure protection in Stehekin Valley.

Helicopter operations yesterday on the southern edge of the fire were effective in using water to slow fire movement through light patchy fuels and extremely rocky terrain on the ridge between the Graham Harbor and Pyramid Creek drainages. Fire crews, bulldozers, and other heavy equipment have completed a contingency line along the Shady Pass Road (Forest Road 5900)on the north side of the 25-MileCreek drainage. Crews will continue to improve fireline and prep for additional burnout operations, if needed.

Burning operations in the Railroad Creek drainage have progressed as planned. Fire personnel, specially trained to conduct burning operations from a helicopter, have been slowly controlling the fire’s movement toward Holden Village. In conjunction with the burning operations, approximately 50 personnel have set up an extensive sprinkler system to protect structures in and around the village and soak nearby vegetation. As the fire approaches the Holden area, burn operations will be used to direct the fire around the village into steep craggy terrain with sparse fuels. Crews will continue to implement proactive fire suppression strategies to protect values at risk including the evacuation route (FS 8301).  Burnout operations around Holden will continue as smoke and weather conditions allow. Mop-up and patrol will continue around Lucerne and along the lakeshore.

Expected Fire Behavior:  Fire behavior is expected to be minimal on the northern and southern edges of the fire.  Officials expect continued fire growth west up Railroad Creek toward Holden, which could increase visible smoke.Gusty winds associated with potential thunderstorms and minimal precipitation could increase the chance of spotting. Fuels are extremely dry for this time of year.

Blankenship Fire:  Minimal fire behavior was observed on the Blankenship Fire yesterday. Fire officials continue to scout the fire, assessing the possibility of inserting resources to contain the bottom portion threatening the Pacific Crest Trail. Fire spread in other directions is limited by avalanche shoots and geologic features. The terrain is very steep and rugged and firefighter safety is our number one priority. 

Goode Fire:  Firefighters continued to secure handline on the southern flank of the Goode Fire yesterday. The north, east, and west sides have been tied into rocky ridgetops and a glacier. Fire behavior will be similar to yesterday with minimal growth and consumption of interior materials. Crews will continue to work the southern flank with helicopter support and begin mop-up efforts in Park Creek.

Weather: Warmer and drier conditions are expected through Wednesday with temperatures up 3-5 degrees and humidity values down around 5%, with a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms.

Closure Information:  Shady Pass Road (5900) remains closed due to heavy fire traffic. The closure begins at the junction with Slide Ridge Road (8410) and continues over Shady Pass to the Entiat River Road. Slide Ridge Road and Snowberry Campground are open. The Big Hill Road is closed from Shady Pass to the Big Hill Trailhead. Domke Lake, Lucerne and Refrigerator Harbor campgrounds are closed until further notice. Level three evacuations remain in effect for Lucerne and Holden Village.