LUCERNE — A lightning-caused fire in Central Washington has burned more than 9 square miles near Lake Chelan, growing thousands of acres between Saturday and Sunday.
Several hundred people were evacuated from a Lutheran retreat center and the Holden Mine Remediation Center on Saturday. Officials said Holden Village is not threatened by the fire, but the blaze threatens the only evacuation route.
The Wolverine Fire, which started Wednesday, is burning in timber about 3 miles northwest of Lucerne.
Fire officials said the blaze, which grew rapidly over the weekend, has shut down parts of the Pacific Crest Trail and a number of campgrounds in the area.
Smoke and ash affected people on vacation near the popular lake and pilots have been told to avoid the area. Lightning started several other small fires in the area Saturday.
Fire officials said a wildfire in Mason County that has burned 13 structures, including five homes, is now 50 percent contained. The Washington Department of Natural Resources said crews on the Deckerville Road Fire near Matlock are in mop up mode.
Meanwhile, a couple of small brush fires in Pierce County briefly caused evacuations in the area Saturday when structures were threatened. Those fires are now nearing containment.
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