U.S. 12 Highway reopened over the weekend and firefighters were transferring command of the Retreat Fire to local units at the end of Monday's shift.
Containment is 85% on the 45,601-acre fire, according to a Monday update from California Interagency Incident Management Team 14.
The fire started July 23 and has been burning along the Tieton River canyon along the U.S. 12 corridor. Evacuation notices were lifted Friday and the highway from the White Pass summit to State Route 410 reopened Saturday.
Motorists should plan for additional travel time because single-lane, one-way traffic on sections of the road. Washington State Department of Transportation and emergency contractor crews continue work to replace guardrail and highway signs.
A storm Saturday night brought much needed rain. Yakima received 0.15 inches of rain, and Ellensburg received 0.09 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
It also brought lightning. Officials with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest reported several new fire starts and smoke reports across Central Washington following storms on Thursday and Saturday.
"As things warm up and dry out from last night's rain, it's possible that additional fires will be picked up," an update Sunday said.
Recreation closures remain in place in the Retreat Fire area, including parts of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, part of the Ahtanum State Forest and most of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area.
Lodgepole Fire
The Lodgepole Fire started Aug. 5 near the Lodgepole campground off State Route 410. As of Monday morning it was 35 acres and 6% contained, according to Inciweb. The lightning-caused fire 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. The tree snags are hazardous to firefighters and have made access difficult.
State Route 410 remains open.
Williams Mine Fire
The Williams Mine Fire near Trout Lake was 11,555 acres with 5% containment Monday morning. A total of 721 people are assigned with firefighters from the Yukon Territory in Canada arriving to help over the weekend, according to Inciweb.
The fire was started by lightning Aug. 5 and is burning in and near the Mount Adams Wilderness.
The area received a half inch of rain Saturday with lighting and 1-inch hail. At least one lightning strike ignited a fire in the area, and aircraft and crews responded to build containment lines around it, Monday's update said.
A lost mushroom picker was found by a fire safety officer after having spent the night near the fire area, according to the update. After receiving care, food and water, the hiker was transported home safely. Fire managers remind people to be mindful when collecting mushrooms and berries by remaining in groups and being well-prepared for emergencies while hiking.
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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