Single Publication

Retreat Fire Morning Update - August 18, 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: 85%                            Total Personnel: 317

Current Situation:  Firefighters continue increasing containment on the Retreat Fire through diligent mop up and suppression operations. Crews have been patrolling the fire perimeter and ensuring there are no heat sources left that would threaten the security of control lines. As these control lines are tested and patrolled with no issues, firefighters make the determination to deem sections contained. 

Today, firefighters will continue to patrol containment lines, extinguish any remaining hot spots they find, fall hazard trees along internal road systems, 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 fire area. Crews will survey the area for any issues created by last night’s thunderstorms.

The Washington State Department of Transportation reopened US 12 at 8:00 a.m. on August 17, 2024. 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).

The final Incident Update for the Retreat Fire will be posted on Monday, August 19, 2024. California Interagency Incident Management Team 14 will transition command of the incident back to the local units at the end of shift on Monday. If there are any significant changes with the Retreat Fire, the local units will share pertinent information on their website and social media platforms.

Weather:  Wetting rains covered much of the fire area due to multiple thunderstorms passing through last night. Today will be partly sunny with slightly cooler temperatures (70-78 degrees). A slight chance of showers exists for this morning and the possibility of some clouds this afternoon. Light winds are forecasted throughout the day. Tonight, we will return to mostly clear skies.

Evacuations:  All evacuation orders for the Retreat Fire have been lifted as of August 16, 2024.

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.

Smoke Outlook 8.18.2024

Sun, 08/18/2024 - 12:25

---

Smoke Outlook 8.18.2024