Central Washington wildfire grows near Lake Chelan

LUCERNE, Wash. (AP) — A lightning-caused fire in Central Washington has burned 25 square miles near Lake Chelan, and officials are concerned more thunderstorms could be on the way.

The Wolverine Fire started June 29 in remote timber and grass on the west side of the popular lake. It grew over the weekend amid hot, dry weather and down-lake winds, and several hundred people evacuated from a Lutheran retreat center and the Holden Mine Remediation Center on Saturday.

The blaze also shut down a section of the Pacific Crest Trail and several campgrounds.

Officials planned a community meeting in Stehekin Monday evening to discuss their response.

Some 213 people were involved in fighting the fire Monday with more arriving daily. Efforts focused on opening the road to Holden Village and planning to protect buildings in Stehekin in case the fire continues moving north.