Single Publication

Retreat Fire 

Washington State Department of National Resources 

Fire Information: 509-213-4890    Email: 2024.retreat@firenet.gov 

inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-retreat 

August 5, 2024 

Northern Rockies Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson 

Location:  14 miles southwest of Naches, WA 

Start Date: July 23, 2024 

Cause: Under Investigation 

Size: 41,279 acres 

Containment: 49% 

Resources: 563 Total Personnel; 6 Dozers; 12 Hand Crews; 39 Engines 

Key Messages:   

Dryer weather conditions were experienced on the fire yesterday with hot temperatures and low relative humidity levels. An interior area of the fire near Highway 12 became active late yesterday afternoon requiring Structure Protection crews and engines to respond with support from helicopter bucket water drops. 

The Highway 12 corridor remains closed to public travel for both firefighter and public safety. Fire affected large trees continue to fall across the highway at unexpected times and the fire remains active along the highway. The highway is expected to remain closed for several days. 

Current Status: 

The Retreat Fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy prioritizing public and firefighter safety. 

Structure Protection crews continued to work on clearing trees and chipping brush and branches along the Highway 12 corridor. They also monitored fire activity in the corridor and responded as necessary. On the southwest corner of the fire, crews continued to mop up and hold the control line by seeking out and extinguishing hot spots. Additionally, heavy equipment will start working on a shaded fuels break along Forest Roads 1200 and 1201. This is being developed as an alternate line and is part of the overall fire suppression strategy. Constructing a shaded fuels break involves removing brush and ground fuels, clearing out dead and downed wood, and thinning out some trees to make a control line more defensible if a fire moves into the area. 

Firefighters continued to mop up and hold the south and east sides of the fire. Crews have been making good progress and will continue to patrol and mop up to further secure these lines. A few more days of work is expected to be needed along these lines and crews will continue to ensure that they remain secure. 

Yesterday, crews resumed firing operations along the northern side of the fire and made good progress throughout the day. As ground crews worked their way to the west, aerial ignition was again utilized to fill in the interior areas. Weather conditions were better than the previous day to achieve the intended outcomes.  

Unburnt areas located between the active fire edge and the north side indirect line continued to burn throughout the day which contributed to some of the smoke visible from the fire area. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: 

Clouds moved in early this morning with some showers near the fire area. The pattern will shift some, with more south and southeast wind during the day. Wind speeds will be 5-11 mph with gusts to 24 mph. High temperatures of 78 to 84 degrees are expected on the ridges and minimum humidity levels will be 20-26%. 

Sage/grass fuels at approximately 4200 foot elevation and below are mostly cured with fire spread into more sparse areas that previously did not consume. At higher elevations sage and grass are partially cured and will burn with low end relative humidity and wind. Timber litter above 5000 foot elevation is dry and burning fully. Intense grass fires below the oak trees could produce large embers capable of short-range spotting. 

Closures and Evacuations: 

For the most up-to-date information on evacuations, please visit Yakima County Emergency Management located at this link: Yakima Emergency Management website. 

- US Hwy 12 remains closed between the Y at Hwy 410 and the summit of the Pass at milepost 151. 

- Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Retreat Fire Closure: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices/?aid=89192. 

- The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Southeast Region has temporarily closed the Ahtanum State Forest due to increased activity from the adjacent Retreat Fire burning near Rimrock Lake. The public can access the most up-to-date closure information at www.dnr.wa.gov/ahtanum. 

- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed the majority of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area to public access due to the Retreat Fire. The Oak Creek Wildlife Area is scheduled to remain closed until Aug. 23 to ensure public safety and facilitate firefighting efforts. More information can be found at Wildlife Areas | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. 

AIR QUALITY AND SMOKE 

Air quality and smoke conditions and forecasts can be found at https://www.airnow.gov/ 

Resident Resources Before, During, and After the Fire: 

There are many online resources available for Washington residents who are affected by wildfire. 

Support for residents being affected by wildfires: https://afterthefirewa.dreamhosters.com/  

Washington DNR Homeowner programs:  https://wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/ 

https://www.dnr.wa.gov/cost-share