Single Publication

Retreat Fire 

Northern Rockies Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson 

Location:  14 miles southwest of Naches, WA 

Start Date: July 23, 2024 

Cause: Under Investigation 

Size: 13,183 acres 

Resources: 216 Total Personnel; 1 Dozers; 0 Helicopters; 7 Hand Crews; 15 Engines  

KEY MESSAGE:   

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson took command of the Retreat Fire at 6 am this morning.    

CURRENT STATUS: 

Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 1 has been assigned responsibility for managing fire suppression activities as delegated by agency jurisdictions beginning 6:00 am on July 26. The fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy with public and firefighter safety as the number one priority. The Retreat Fire is estimated at 13,183 acres, burning southwest of Naches, WA. Active fire behavior may be observed due to forecasted winds and smoke lifting out of drainages. Heavy equipment and hand crews will construct direct and indirect control lines along the northern and southern fire perimeter to reduce the fire’s advance. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: 

Weather is dominated by an upper-level trough with increasing winds projected for this weekend.  Maximum daytime temperatures above 90 degrees. Winds are expected to be variable, 4 to 7 miles mph from the west changing direction from the east in the afternoon between 5-10 mph feet above ground level.  Minimum humidities are expected to be between 13 and 23 percent. Three primary fuel types are present in the fire landscape: Oak bottoms, grass sage brush, and Ponderosa pine with some mixed conifers. The oak bottoms and grass/sage are very dry and readily available to burn, isolated group and single tree torching may create potential for 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.