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: 29,499 acres

Containment: 11%

Resources: 482 Total Personnel; 11 Dozers; 11 Hand Crews; 31 Engines

Key Message:  

Fire activity reached the Jump Off Lookout area near the southwestern corner of the fire, but the Lookout was not impacted or damaged by fire and is still intact.

Current Status:

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

A brief weather system moved through the fire area yesterday and a tenth of an inch of rain fell on areas of the fire. Firing operations that were planned to secure several areas along the east and northeast sides of the fire were paused and crews spent the day building depth along the fire line by mopping up and extinguishing hot spots as well as strengthening planned containment lines. Containment increased slightly on the northeast side of the fire closest to the Highway 410 corridor. 

Crews and equipment continued to work on strengthening fire lines on the east and southeast sides of the fire along the Cowiche Road and Hatton Road and closest to the communities of Tieton and Cowiche. When conditions allow, crews will use firing operations along these lines to secure the edge ahead of the main fire. With moderated weather conditions, crews have taken the opportunity to work directly on the fire’s edge along the south side of the fire area constructing and enhancing control lines. Construction of line continued moving towards the west along the Bethel Ridge Road and Bethel Ridge continuing to prepare this area for firing operations on the north side. On the northwest corner scouting and preparation progressed south of Bethel Ridge toward Highway 12 using the Pine Creek Road system. On the southwest side of the fire crews will begin to scout control line location working north from the Lookout towards Highway 12. All this work is being done on the west side to prevent additional fire spread toward Rimrock Lake.

Structure protection crews and engines continued to extinguish hotspots near homes and infrastructure along the fire impacted Highway 12 corridor. Structure protection continued to conduct assessment and preparation work around the structures at Camp Ghormley and along the Lost Lake Road areas west of the fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

The weather system shifts eastward away from the fire today, allowing for warmer and drier conditions with decreasing clouds, although a lingering shower will be possible, mainly in the morning. Periods of locally breezy winds out of the west continue today, mainly in the early morning and late afternoon-evening hours. A brief lull of terrain driven winds are possible between around 10am and 3pm. The warming and drying trend will continue Wednesday, along with lighter, more terrain driven winds. Temperatures will range from 68 to 74 degrees and minimum relative humidity levels will be 44 to 49%. Winds will be west-northwest at 7-10 mph with gusts to 16 mph in the morning and 8-12 mph with gusts to 18 mph in the afternoon.

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:

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 for several reasons between the Y at Hwy 410 and the summit of the Pass at milepost 151.
• UPDATED 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