Single Publication

Retreat Fire Morning Update - August 17, 2024

Phone: 509-213-4890, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Email: 2024.Retreat@firenet.gov 
Fire Information: linktr.ee/CIIMT14

Total Acres: 45,601 acres                 Containment: 80%                            Total Personnel: 339           

Current Situation:  The Washington State Department of Transportation reopened US 12 at 8 a.m. today. Travelers should plan for added travel time due to single-lane, alternating one-way traffic as WSDOT and emergency contractor crews work to replace guardrail and highway signs along US 12 between mileposts 185, near the junction with State Route 410 and milepost 168, near the Tieton Road intersection. The public is reminded that multiple fire closures for the area are still in place (see Fire Closures below).

Today, firefighters will patrol containment lines, extinguish any hot spots they find, fall hazard trees along internal road systems to provide for safer access across the fire, remove materials (logs and brush) left from preparing the shaded fuel break along Forest Roads 1200 and 1201, and remove unneeded equipment and fire hose from the fireline.

The control objective for the Retreat Fire is to keep the fire contained within the natural and constructed control features while prioritizing public and firefighter safety.

Weather:  There is a flash flood watch for burn areas this afternoon. Thunderstorms are expected over the fire area from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., with potential of ½ to 1” of precipitation within the storm track. Wind gusts could be up to 50 mph near thunderstorms. Elsewhere there is a slight chance of showers. Minimum humidity is expected decrease (21-27%) and the high temperature is expected to increase to the low 80’s over the fire area compared to yesterday.

Evacuations:  Yakima County Emergency Management lifted all evacuation orders for the Retreat Fire as of 8:00 a.m. on Friday August 16. Residents should inspect their surroundings with caution and be aware that fire damaged trees, power poles, and other structures may have been weakened by the fire.

Fire Closures: 

• Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Retreat Fire Closure (tinyurl.com/5ext5aec).
• The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Southeast Region has temporarily closed part of the Ahtanum State Forest. The public can access the most up-to-date closure information at 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 August 23, 2024. More information can be found at tinyurl.com/bdet7845.

Air Quality and Smoke:  Air quality and smoke condition outlooks can be found at airnow.gov.