Single Publication

Retreat Fire

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

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

August 6, 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: 44,540 acres

Containment: 53%

Resources: 595 Total Personnel; 6 Dozers; 14 Hand Crews; 35 Engines

Key Messages:  

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

Dry and windy conditions yesterday caused some interior unburnt islands within the fire area along the Highway 12 corridor to burn with intensity. Structure Protection crews assisted by helicopter bucket water drops responded and worked to suppress and contain the fire activity.

Current Status:

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

Crews continued to mop up and patrol the containment line on the south and east sides of the fire. Firefighters supported with fire engines and water tenders continued to extinguish hot spots and secure the line. Containment increased on the northeast side as progress was made on mop up work. The containment lines on the south, east, and northeast sides of the fire will continue to be patrolled and monitored to ensure that no heat or fire pushes the line. Good progress has been made and work will continue.

Firing operations were completed on the northwest side of the fire along Bethel Ridge and stopped at the location where the plan is to turn south with the control line and use the Bethel Oak Trail. Aerial ignition was used later in the afternoon to fill in the interior area. Firing operations progressed well throughout the day. Fire managers started scouting for control line options along the Bethel Oak Trail going east on the top of the ridge as an alternative to bringing a line south to Highway 12. This line would be on the north side of the 2012 Wild Rose Fire scar and using it as a potential control feature.

On the southwest corner of the fire crews continued to mop up and secure the line from previous firing operations. Everything has been going well in this area including the structure protection system that have been set up around the structures at Camp Ghormley and along Lost Lake Road. Heavy equipment was moved into position along Forest Roads 1200 and 1201 and work on constructing a shaded fuel break will begin today. This fuel break is being constructed as a contingency line.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Yesterday, the morning started with thunderstorms moving through the fire area with three cloud to ground strikes and brief light rain. Humidity recovery was in the 50 to 60 percent range but dried out to 20 to 30 percent for the afternoon. Afternoon temperatures were still mainly in the 80s and lower 90s. Winds were lighter with the return of southeast wind to portions of the fire. Today is expected to be dry and sunny with temperatures only slightly cooler and humidity slightly lower. Winds should continue to be light.

Winds caused active fire in mixed conifer and initiated some single tree torching and short-range spotting. Sage/grass fuels at approximately 4200 foot elevation and below are mostly cured and carry active fire spread. At higher elevations sage and grass are partially cured and burn in patches with dead fuel component. Timber litter above 5000 foot elevation is dry and contributing to active fire behavior with group torching. At high elevations, large diameter fuels are not burning fully and will likely continue to smolder and burn.

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 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 smoke outlooks can be found at https://www.airnow.gov/