Single Publication

Northern Rockies Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson

Location:  14 miles southwest of Naches, WA

Start Date: July 23, 2024

Cause: Under Investigation

Size: 24,629 acres

Containment: 4%

Resources: 442 Total Personnel; 10 Dozers; 7 Hand Crews; 35 Engines

Key Message:  

A community meeting is being held this evening at 6:00 p.m. at the Naches Valley Elementary School cafeteria located at 151 Bonlow Dr. Naches, WA 98939. A virtual component for the meeting will be available and the link shared on the Retreat Fire Facebook page.

Current Status:

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

Yesterday, firefighters conducted firing operations on the northeast and southeast sides of the fire area along the Cowiche Road, Hatton Road, Bethel Ridge Road and Highway 12. These activities will continue today.  These firefighting efforts are being done to protect the communities of Tieton, Cowiche, and private property located directly east of the fire area. 

The fire was active in the southwestern corner near Jump Off Lookout, and large air tankers were utilized to prevent further spread to the west. On the north and northwest sides, crews continued to construct indirect fire line working along the Bethel Ridge Road, turning south toward Highway 12 using the Pine Creek Road system. Firing operations are planned in the same general areas over the next several days.  This work is being done to prevent additional fire spread toward Rimrock Lake.

Structure protection crews and engines are extinguishing hotspots near homes and infrastructure and removing hazard trees along the fire impacted Highway 12 corridor. Structure protection is also conducting assessment and preparation work around the Camp Ghormley and Lost Lake Road areas west of the fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Today, seasonable temperatures will continue to be observed over the fire, with highs generally in the 60s to 70s, and minimum relative humidity values around 44-50%. Winds will be west at 8-12 mph with gusts up to 22 mph shifting to northwest and increasing in the afternoon to 12-18 mph and gusts up to 30 mph. A weak disturbance will bring shower chances to the fire area late tonight through early Tuesday, and a few hundredths of an inch of rain will be possible. Relative humidity is expected to trend higher today.

Three main fuel types exist: sage/grass, oak bottoms, and ponderosa forests. Grass in the appropriate fuel types is fully cured and readily available for ignition. While the oak trees are not consuming, intense grass fires below these trees could produce large embers capable of short-range spotting.

Closures and Evacuations:

Level 3 “GO NOW” Evacuation Advisory from US Hwy 12 at Bear Canyon Trailhead (NF 1301 Forest Service Road) northeast to the “Y” (Hwy 12/410).  From “Y” (Hwy 12/410) south along the borders of Town of Cowiche and Town of Tieton to Cowiche Mill Road. Cowiche Mill Road west to NF 641 Forest Service Road.NF 641 Forest Service Road North to Hwy 12.

Level 2 "GET SET" Evacuation Notice for the City of Tieton, WA area including Cowiche Mill Road east to Summitview Road, Summitview Road North to the four way stop on West Tieton Road, heading west on West Tieton Road to the end of West Tieton Rd.  The west boundary is the end of West Tieton Road going south to the 3600 block of Cowiche Mill Road.  For the evacuation boundary visit the Yakima County Office of Emergency Facebook page: www.facebook.com/YakimaCountyOEM/.

• US Hwy 12 remains closed for several reasons between the Y at Hwy 410 and the summit of the Pass at milepost 151.
• Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Retreat Fire Area 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.

Federal, state, and local wildland fire management agencies and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urge members of the public not to fly “Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)” or drones over the Retreat Fire area. Unauthorized drone flights pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Wildland fires are a “no fly zone” for drones. If you fly, WE CAN’T!