Single Publication

Location:  14 miles southwest of Naches, WA

Start Date: July 23, 2024

Cause: Under Investigation

Size: 22,237 acres

Resources: 354 Total Personnel; 8 Dozers; 7 Hand Crews; 36 Engines.

Key Message:  

There will be a community meeting tomorrow, Monday, July 29 at 6:00 p.m. at the Naches Valley Elementary School cafeteria located at 151 Bonlow Dr. Naches, WA 98939. A virtual component will also be available on the Retreat Fire Facebook page.

Current Status:

Additional firefighters and equipment have arrived and been assigned to several locations on the fire. Given the expected winds and smoke movement, active fire behavior may be observed. The fire is currently under a full suppression strategy, prioritizing public and firefighter safety. On the east side a combination of direct and indirect tactics are being employed along Cowiche Road, Hatton Road, Bethel Ridge Road, and Highway 12 to stop fire movement and secure the fire’s edge.

Heavy equipment and hand crews are working direct and indirect lines along the northern and southern side of the fire to minimize forward advancement of the fire.  Operational resources are continuing to do reconnaissance along the west side scouting for potential indirect line locations to prevent additional fire spread toward Rimrock Lake. Firing operations are ongoing eastern flank of the fire along Bethal Ty Road towards Highway 12, and from road 642 to Hatton Road.  Additional burning operations are planned in the same general areas for in the coming days.  Structure protection resources continue to put out hotspots near homes and infrastructure along Highway 12 and are also doing evaluation and prep work near Camp Ghromley and Lost Lake Road.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Seasonable temperatures will be observed over the Retreat Fire today, with highs generally in the 70s, and minimum relative humidity values around 28-34%. Westerly winds began increasing in the late afternoon and will continue to increase into the overnight hours as a shortwave trough moves across the region. Gusty west-northwest winds are expected to persist overnight into Sunday, around 10-20 mph with gusts 20-30 mph, especially over the ridgetops. Good relative humidity recoveries are expected overnight. Similar weather conditions are expected on Sunday with slightly higher relative humidity.

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 are producing 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!