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Retreat

Unit Information

Washington 
Ellensburg, 
98926 
Washington 
Ellensburg, 
98926 

Incident Contacts

  • Ryan Rodruck - DNR
    Email:
    ryan.rodruck@dnr.wa.gov
    Phone:
    360-584-3916
  • Naches Ranger District
    Phone:
    (509) 653-1401

Retreat Fire Morning Update - August 16, 2024 08-16-2024

Retreat
Publication Type: News - 08/16/2024 - 09:03

Retreat Fire Morning Update - August 16, 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: 335 

Current Situation: All evacuation orders for the Retreat Fire have been lifted as of 8:00 a.m. today per Yakima County Emergency Management. Residents will be allowed through the Highway 12 road closure to access their property with proper proof of residency.

Firefighters have observed very little active fire across the fire area. Today they will patrol along containment lines extinguishing 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.

Washington Department of Transportation crews along State Highway 12 continue working to replace guard rails and signs damaged by the fire, as this highway remains a top priority to reopen to public travel. Other utility work repair will also be active along Highway 12.

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: Increasing clouds over the fire area today. Windy conditions in the morning will subside, with winds coming from the west then north in the afternoon. Slight decrease in minimum humidity (33-39%) and slight increase in high temperatures (70’s) over the fire area compared to yesterday. Saturday afternoon and night a Flash Flood watch has been issued over the burn areas, with measurable amounts of rain expected.

Evacuations: According to Yakima County Emergency Management, all evacuation orders for the Retreat Fire have been lifted as of 8:00 a.m. today. Residents will be allowed through the Highway 12 road closure to access their property with proper proof of residency. For more information, visit yakimacounty.us/350.  Residents are encouraged to drive slowly as highway workers, heavy equipment, and firefighters continue to be present along Highway 12 

Fire Closures: 

  • US Highway 12 remains closed between the Y at Highway 410 and the summit of the pass at milepost 151.
  • 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.