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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Fire forces evacuations near Lake Chelan

K.C. Mehaffey Wenatchee World

HOLDEN VILLAGE – Some 350 residents and mine-reclamation workers at Holden Village will begin evacuating today as the Wolverine fire moves toward the only road leading to the remote Lutheran retreat in the hills above Lake Chelan.

Ignited by lightning on Wednesday, the blaze tripled in size to 1,526 acres and is expected to continue to grow with this weekend’s hot, dry weather.

The Level 3 evacuation notice is for Saturday, when most of the Holden Village residents and Rio Tinto mine workers are expected to be evacuated. They must be transported first by bus to Lucerne, some 10 miles from the village, and then by boat to Chelan. Cabin owners in Lucerne have also been advised to leave by Saturday.

Officials say there is no immediate threat to Holden Village, but with only one road there, the evacuation route could be cut off if the fire continues south.

“If the road is compromised, those folks would be stuck,” said fire spokeswoman Carly Reed.