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Retreat Fire

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Coordinates: 46°40′14.99″N 120°59′30.18″W / 46.6708306°N 120.9917167°W / 46.6708306; -120.9917167
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Retreat Fire
Fire as seen from Rimrock Lake
Date(s)July 23, 2024 (ongoing)
LocationRimrock Lake area
Yakima County, Washington, U.S.
Coordinates46°40′14.99″N 120°59′30.18″W / 46.6708306°N 120.9917167°W / 46.6708306; -120.9917167
Statistics
Burned area45,601 acres (184.54 km2)
Land useNational Forest, rural area
Ignition
Causeunder investigation
Map
Map
Perimeter of the Retreat Fire (map data)
Retreat Fire is located in Washington (state)
Retreat Fire
Approximate location of the Retreat Fire
Season
← 2023

The Retreat Fire or Rimrock Retreat Fire was a wildfire between Rimrock Lake and the town of Tieton in Yakima County, Washington.

The fire began on July 23, 2024 as the result of a propane tank explosion at a Rimrock Retreat cabin.[1] As of August 12, 2024, it had burned over 45,601 acres (18,454 ha),[2] including three residences and two other buildings.[3]

The fire caused the closure of U.S. Route 12 across White Pass, and "evacuate now" orders were issued to residents near Rimrock Lake on July 24.[4][5] Outdoor city amenities and events were closed in Yakima on July 25 due to poor air quality, which was "unhealthy" or "very unhealthy" for all people at monitoring stations across the Yakima Valley.[6][7] An emergency across Yakima County was declared by the government on July 26.[8]

A Red Cross shelter for displaced persons was opened on July 26 at the high school in Naches.[9] Residents of Tieton were ordered to prepare to evacuate on July 28.[10]

White Pass was closed from July 23 to August 17 due to the wildfire.[11]

The more than century-old Tieton Main Canal was shut down by managers who were unable to assess damage from the fire. Much of the canal is not approachable by motor vehicle and must be repaired by teams on foot with wheelbarrows.[12]

The fire burned many power poles leading up to the White Pass summit, which could take months to replace.[13]

The evacuation order was lifted on August 16,[14] and U.S. 12 was reopened on August 17, though portions were one lane only.[15] As of September 8, 2024, the fire was contained though authorities were hesitant to declare it fully out until snow begins to fall.[16] Repairs have begun on both the canal and U.S. 12.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Carleen Johnson, "Retreat Fire damages Yakima Tieton Irrigation Canal; crops could suffer", Center Square – via MSN
  2. ^ "Retreat Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  3. ^ "NWCC". Northwest Coordination Center. July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  4. ^ Jim Jensen (July 24, 2024). "US 12 closed near Rimrock due to fire burning in Yakima County". Tacoma: KCPQ-TV.
  5. ^ Thomas Metcalf (July 23, 2024). "13,000-acre Retreat Fire in Rimrock area prompts Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuations". nbcrightnow.com. Yakima, Washington: KNDO. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Michael LeCompte (July 25, 2024). "Franklin Pool closed, Downtown Summer Nights canceled due to unhealthy air in Yakima County". Yakima, Washington: KNDO.
  7. ^ Questen Inghram (July 25, 2024). "Worsening air quality in Yakima County 'unhealthy for all people'". Yakima Herald-Republic.
  8. ^ Jim Jensen. "Yakima County declares emergency as Rimrock Retreat Fire reaches 13,000 acres". Tacoma: KCPQ-TV.
  9. ^ QUESTEN INGHRAM; JASPER KENZO SUNDEEN; JOANNA MARKELL (July 26, 2024). "Friday fire update: Team takes over management of Retreat Fire; Red Cross shelter opens". Yakima Herald-Republic.
  10. ^ John Kennedy O'Connor (July 28, 2024). "Retreat Fire Update July 28". Yakima: KIMA-TV.
  11. ^ Ayer, Tammy (August 18, 2024). "U.S. Highway 12 reopened Saturday after Retreat Fire closure". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  12. ^ Tomas D'Anella (July 30, 2024). "Crews working to protect 115-year-old irrigation canal from Retreat Fire". nbcrightnow.com. Yakima, Washington: KNDO.
  13. ^ JASPER KENZO SUNDEEN (August 2, 2024). "Friday fire update: Progress on Retreat Fire but damage to power infrastructure severe". Yakima Herald-Republic.
  14. ^ Herald-Republic, Yakima (August 15, 2024). "Evacuations on Retreat Fire lifted Friday morning; U.S. 12 remains closed". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  15. ^ Herald-Republic, TAMMY AYER Yakima (August 17, 2024). "U.S. 12 reopens Saturday after Retreat Fire closure". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  16. ^ Herald-Republic, JASPER KENZO SUNDEEN Yakima (September 8, 2024). "What's next? Businesses, governments, residents recover from Retreat Fire". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
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