Evacuation notices on the Retreat Fire burning east of Rimrock Lake were removed at 8 a.m. Friday, according to Yakima Valley Emergency Management.
Residents will be allowed through the U.S. Highway 12 road closure to access their property with proper proof of residency. The U.S. 12 corridor has been under a Level 3 "go now" evacuation order.
The fire started July 23 and has been burning down the Tieton Canyon along U.S. 12. It is 45,601 acres and 70% contained, with 367 personnel assigned, according to a Thursday update from the fire incident command team.
U.S. 12 has been closed from the White Pass summit to the junction with State Route 410.
Emergency Management said Highway 12 is expected to open in the coming days. When it opens, sections will have reduced speed and controls as work continues.
The Yakima County Sheriff's Office said Thursday that crews needed to replace 2,100 feet of guardrail and 350 posts. They are continuing to work on hazardous trees, remove equipment and do road grading and bulldozer line repair.
State and federal forest lands remain closed. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Lodgepole Fire
The team working on Retreat Fire also is responding to the Lodgepole Fire, which started Monday near the Lodgepole campground off State Route 410. As of Thursday it was 35 acres and not contained, according to Inciweb. It was caused by lightning, and is 16 miles west of Cliffdell.
The fire is within the 2017 Norse Peak Fire burn area, which is filled with debris and standing dead trees. Those tree snags are hazardous to firefighters and have made access difficult. Helicopters are assisting ground crews to limit the fire's spread. A total of 88 people are assigned.
The Lodgepole campground is closed, but there are no other forest or campground closures. State Route 410 remains open.
Williams Mine Fire
The Williams Mine Fire near Trout Lake was 11,302 acres with 2% containment Thursday. A total of 547 people are assigned.
The fire was started by lightning Aug. 5 and is burning in and near the Mount Adams Wilderness.
Evacuations in the Trout Lake area have been lowered. Former Level 3 "go now" evacuations are now at a Level 2, and former Level 2 evacuations are now at Level 1.
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