Retreat Fire Explained

Retreat Fire
Location:Rimrock Lake area
Yakima County, Washington, U.S.
Coordinates:46.6708°N -120.9917°W
References:-->
Date:July 23, 2024 (ongoing)
Cause:under investigation
Landuse:National Forest, rural area
Pushpin Map:USA Washington
Pushpin Map Caption:Approximate location of the Retreat Fire
Season:yes
Season Name:Washington wildfires
Season Year:2024

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., it had burned over,[1] including three residences and two other buildings.[2]

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.[3] [4] 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.[5] [6] An emergency across Yakima County was declared by the government on July 26.[7]

A Red Cross shelter for displaced persons was opened on July 26 at the high school in Naches.[8] Residents of Tieton were ordered to prepare to evacuate on July 28.[9]

White Pass was closed from July 23 to August 17 due to the wildfire.[10]

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.[11]

The fire burned many power poles leading up to the White Pass summit, which could take months to replace.[12]

The evacuation order was lifted on August 16,[13] and U.S. 12 was reopened on August 17, though portions were one lane only.[14], the fire was contained though authorities were hesitant to declare it fully out until snow begins to fall.[15] Repairs have begun on both the canal and U.S. 12.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Retreat Fire . August 12, 2024 . InciWeb.
  2. Web site: July 27, 2024 . NWCC . July 27, 2024 . Northwest Coordination Center . en.
  3. News: US 12 closed near Rimrock due to fire burning in Yakima County. Jim Jensen. July 24, 2024. KCPQ-TV. Tacoma.
  4. News: Thomas Metcalf . 2024-07-23 . 13,000-acre Retreat Fire in Rimrock area prompts Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuations . 2024-07-27 . KNDO. Yakima, Washington. nbcrightnow.com. en.
  5. News: Franklin Pool closed, Downtown Summer Nights canceled due to unhealthy air in Yakima County. Michael LeCompte. July 25, 2024. KNDO. Yakima, Washington.
  6. News: Worsening air quality in Yakima County 'unhealthy for all people'. Questen Inghram. Yakima Herald-Republic. July 25, 2024.
  7. News: Yakima County declares emergency as Rimrock Retreat Fire reaches 13,000 acres. Jim Jensen. KCPQ-TV. Tacoma.
  8. News: Friday fire update: Team takes over management of Retreat Fire; Red Cross shelter opens. QUESTEN INGHRAM. JASPER KENZO SUNDEEN . JOANNA MARKELL . Yakima Herald-Republic. July 26, 2024.
  9. News: Retreat Fire Update July 28. John Kennedy O'Connor. KIMA-TV. Yakima. July 28, 2024.
  10. Web site: Ayer . Tammy . 18 August 2024 . U.S. Highway 12 reopened Saturday after Retreat Fire closure . 21 August 2024 . The Chronicle.
  11. News: Crews working to protect 115-year-old irrigation canal from Retreat Fire. Tomas D'Anella. KNDO. Yakima, Washington. nbcrightnow.com. July 30, 2024.
  12. News: Friday fire update: Progress on Retreat Fire but damage to power infrastructure severe. JASPER KENZO SUNDEEN . Yakima Herald-Republic. August 2, 2024.
  13. Web site: Herald-Republic . Yakima . 2024-08-15 . Evacuations on Retreat Fire lifted Friday morning; U.S. 12 remains closed . 2024-10-12 . Yakima Herald-Republic . en.
  14. Web site: Herald-Republic . TAMMY AYER Yakima . 2024-08-17 . U.S. 12 reopens Saturday after Retreat Fire closure . 2024-10-12 . Yakima Herald-Republic . en.
  15. Web site: Herald-Republic . JASPER KENZO SUNDEEN Yakima . 2024-09-08 . What's next? Businesses, governments, residents recover from Retreat Fire . 2024-10-12 . Yakima Herald-Republic . en.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Retreat Fire".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.