CHELAN, Wash. - The massive Reach Complex fire continues to burn and threaten homes along Lake Chelan.
The exact number of homes, businesses and other structures lost is not yet known.
Four generations enjoyed the Wickenhagen family home just outside Chelan, until Friday evening.
"We knew as soon as the wind shifted we were all going to be in danger," said Tina Spencer.
Family friends tried to save the property, but the flames were too intense.
"It's surreal, I don't even think my head is wrapped around it all," said Spencer's daughter, Trista Siltman.
More crews mobilized
Fire incident spokesman Wayne Patterson said Sunday that more fire crews, including from the Washington National Guard, are being mobilized to fight six fires burning in the area.
Together, the blazes have charred more than 155 square miles, forced about 1,500 residents to flee their homes and caused power outages.
Crews from the Wolverine Fire, joined by resources from the Washington Department of Natural Resources, US Forest Service, Okanogan, Douglas, and Chelan County Fire Districts, National Guard, the Bureau of Land Management, and others have been working to protect homes and slow the fires' spread.
The fire began as five separate blazes on Friday after a series of lightning strikes. On Saturday, the fires combined and grew together to cover more than 60,000 acres. Sunday there was just 1 percent containment.
Embers from the fire crossed the Columbia River and set fires in McNeil Canyon in Douglas County.
Fire information
Reach Fire (including Cagle and Antoine fires) is burning in brush, short grass, and timber near Chelan. Saturday night, firefighters worked to protect structures from fire activity in Union Valley and Washington Creek. On Sunday, firefighters worked to protect structures and infrastructure, as well as assessed opportunities for perimeter control on the north and south flanks of the fire.
First Creek is actively spreading west, burning in brush and timber, 8 miles northwest of Chelan. The fire continues to threaten residences along South Lake Shore Road, as well as Lake Chelan State Park, First Creek Rd., and SR 971. Firefighters are burning out areas at the south end of the fire by hand firing and will be working to provide structure protection from Twentyfive Mile Creek to Navarre Coulee, as well as assessing opportunities to control the fire perimeter at the north and south. On Sunday the fire was south of the Cove area, had not crossed First Creek or Navarre Coulee, and had not reached Lake Chelan State Park.
Black Canyon and Squaw Creek fires are actively burning in timber, brush, and short grass approximately 8 miles west of Pateros, in Okanogan County. Firefighters were using direct and indirect tactics to limit fire growth and will be assess needs for point protection, road and trail closures, and evacuations.
Wolverine Fire: On the north and south ends, the fire stayed within planned containment lines. Firefighters are nearing completion of burnout operations around Holden Village and are continuing with mop up and structure protection in that area. Level 3 evacuations remain for Holden Village, Lucerne, Domke Lake, Riddle, and Lightning Creek.
Evacuation and closure information fromChelan County Emergency Management
LEVEL 3 areas
Purttleman Gulch
Swanson Gulch
Cooper Gulch
Butte Road South
W. High Ave.
E. Hawks Meadow
Little Butte Rd.
Farhnam
West of High School, south end of road
Howard Flats
Isenhart
Goodwin Road
Chelan Falls
Antoine Creek
Washington Creek
Apple Acres Rd. (includes Apple Acres Trailer Park)
Navarre Coulee
South Shore from Sunnybank to Fields Point
Union Valley
Cagle Gulch
All residences from Slidewaters to Hawks Meadow (south? Side of US 97A)
LEVEL 2 area
Buzzard Perch Lane
Air quality
4 p.m. Sunday air quality for Chelan, Wenatchee and Leavenworth UNHEALTHY. Many more people than average may have breathing problems or have worsened symptoms of existing lung or heart disease. Precautions to take - everyone should limit time spent outdoors. Everyone should avoid exercising outdoors (including sports teams). People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke should stay indoors. Infants, children, pregnant women and adults over age 65 should also stay indoors.
Road closures
SR 150 from Chelan to Chelan Falls
Apple Acres Road
SR 971
Red Cross Shelters
Entiat Valley Community Resource Center 2084 Entiat Way, Entiat
Sterling Middle School, 600 N. James, East Wenatchee
Brewster Middle/High School, 503 S. 7th St., Brewster
Animal care
Pets are welcome with the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society – Animal Control. at 1474 S. Wenatchee Ave. Please call ahead at 509-662-9577 (ext. 1), leave a message and they will reply immediately. Large animals are welcome with the Tillicum Riders at 123 Kimber Rd in Cashmere. Enter through the second gate and bring food and a water bucket if possible. Contact Naila with questions at 509-699-7655.
Some power restored
Chelan PUD has restored power to 7,000 customers in the Chelan Valley. PUD says 100 poles were damaged. As of 6:30 p.m. Sunday, The general areas still without power include: Antoine, McNeil Canyon, the airport area, Chelan Falls and the south Chelan. The Antoine and Apple Acres areas may take up to a week for restoration. Customers who are back in service can resume normal power use; customers who are still out of power are reminded to turn off and/or unplug electronics and appliances and leave outside light on. This will protect your appliances from potential power surges and an outside light will help crews know who is back in service. Report a downed power line: 1-877-783-8123 OR CALL 911.
Relief fund
The Community Foundation of North Central Washington has established the Chelan Valley Relief Fund to help support those affected by the wildfires in the Chelan area.
Resources
Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4354/
Twitter: @WolverineFire
Facebook: Wolverine Fire
Road & Hwy Info: wsdot.com
Twitter: @wsdot
Smoke Info: http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: http://goo.gl/nXrciP
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: Campground, trails, road closure information
Chelan Co. Emergency Management: https://goo.gl/ekuHGZ
Power info on Twitter: @chelanpud
