The Retreat Fire, burning east of Rimrock Lake, is 63% contained.

The fire was 44,588 acres in size as of Friday morning and 549 firefighters were responding, according to Inciweb, a government wildfire database.

On Friday, the wind will become stronger and gustier from the northeast to the southeast as a low pressure system approaches. There is a risk of thunderstorms from today through Saturday.

It started on July 23 near Rimrock Retreat and is burning in Tieton Canyon along US Highway 12.

For the safety of firefighters and the public, the highway remains closed from the top of White Pass to the Y-junction with State Route 410. Hot spots and large fire-weakened trees that could fall continue to pose a hazard along the Highway 12 corridor.

Firefighters are focusing on the wooded west side of the fire. Cleanup efforts continue on the northeast, east and south sides of the fire.

A Level 3 “Leave Immediately” evacuation order remains in effect along the US 12 corridor from the “Y” to Hause Creek.

U.S. Forest Service lands in the fire area, Ahtanum State Forest and Oak Creek Wildlife Area are temporarily closed.

Air quality was rated moderate around Yakima, Toppenish and Sunnyside on Friday morning.

The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.

smoke

Due to the Retreat Fire, the Williams Mine Fire, and other wildfires in the region, an Air Quality Advisory is in effect for Yakima County and the Yakama Reservation until further notice. Air quality may be hazardous to health at times.

Fire in the Williams Mine

The Williams Mine Fire near Trout Lake has expanded to 5,549 acres and is 1% contained, according to a Friday morning update on Inciweb. The fire was sparked by a lightning strike on Monday and is raging in the Trout Lake area of ​​the Mount Adams Ranger District.

A Level 3 “Leave Immediately” evacuation order has been issued for the northern and eastern areas surrounding Trout Lake. A Level 2 “Get Ready” evacuation order is in effect for the areas west and south of Trout Lake. An evacuation center is located at 1455 NW Bruin County Road, White Salmon. Evacuations are being coordinated by the Klickitat and Skamania county sheriff’s offices.

The Williams Mine Fire is located 3.5 miles north-northwest of Trout Lake and the perimeter of the fire is approximately 3.5 miles from the nearest point on the Yakama Nation Reservation.

The US Forest Service has 96 people in command of fighting the forest fire.

The entire Mount Adams Wilderness Area and adjacent areas are closed, including Tract D Recreation Area and the South Climb Trail.

The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from the Williams Mine Trailhead to Potato Hill. Forest Service employees assisted with the evacuation on this section of the PCT and surrounding trails.

Air quality was rated moderate around Goldendale and unhealthy for sensitive groups around White Salmon on Friday morning.