Central Washington wildfire grows to 25 square miles



The Wolverine Creek Fire near Lake Chelan. (Photo: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov)



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 were 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.

Meanwhile, the Mason County Sheriff's Office said Monday a wildfire that burned 13 structures, including five homes, near Matlock was 100 percent contained.