Remembering the Chelan Complex Fire: 3 years later

CHELAN - The Wolverine Fire had been burning near Lucerne and Holden Village in upper Lake Chelan since June 29,2015 due to lighting and this was only the beginning of a hazardous fire season for Chelan.

The fire started of by burning 580 acres of timber which soon multiplied because of the warmer and drier weather conditions.

66,587 acres later, on September 17, 2015 fire managers expect very little fire activity for at least the next four days due to the rain and snow activities above 5000 feet. Almost one month later on October 15 the fire was fully contained, with a total cost of $35,000,000.

In addition to the Wolverine Fire, lighting also lit up a handful of fires surrounding the hills of Chelan.

It was August 14, 2015 when a group of fires called the Chelan Complex threatened Chelan. All together they burned 88,985 acres, the Complex Fire included:
• Black Canyon Fire
• McFarland Creek Fire
• First Creek Fire
• Reach Fire
• Cagle Fire
• Antoine Fire

Approximately 2,900 residents in the greater Chelan area had to evacuate their homes.

Of the 33 residences that were completely destroyed during the 2015 Chelan Complex Fire, 18 have been rebuilt and are considered complete or almost complete.  There are 5 that have active building permits issued but either no work has started on them or they are less than 50% complete as of our July 2018 new construction inspections.  The remaining 10 residences have had no activity on them nor building permits issued.

There were four businesses that also were completely destroyed. Chelan Fruit  and Lake Chelan Builder Supply were not part of the 33 count and have now rebuilt/repaired their losses. The other two businesses, Ventimiglia Winery amd  Mumma Trucking/Tunnel Hill Granite were ran at  residences and were part of the 33 count. Mumma Trucking/Tunnel Hill Granite has not rebuilt at the same location and sold the lot as land only shortly after the fire, no activity has occurred on this property meanwhile, Ventimiglia has rebuilt and is considered almost complete.

Okanogan County Long Term Recovery Group has been of great help to those affected by the Chelan Complex Fire. The group took on 43 recovery cases, out of those six cases remain open. By Spring of 2019, a total of 35 homes will be fully constructed, the group will continue to work this year and part of next year to complete the project.

Chelan Complex cost $21,383,000 and was also contained on October 15, 2015.

Okanogan County Long Term Recovery Group is looking for volunteers that have experience in interior construction. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Aimee Bannwarth at (605)941-2229 if interested in volunteering.