U.S. Highway 12 reopened to traffic Saturday morning after being closed since July 23 due to the Retreat Fire burning east of Rimrock Lake.
Officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation reopened U.S. 12 at 8 a.m. on Saturday. It's been closed from the White Pass summit to the junction with State Route 410. Residents were allowed through the road closure Friday to access their property with proper proof of residency.
Though the highway is open again, drivers should plan for additional travel time due to single-lane, alternating one-way traffic. State transportation crews and emergency contractor crews will replace guardrail and highway signs along U.S. 12 between mileposts 185, near the junction with State Route 410, and milepost 168, near the Tieton Road intersection.
The work will occur during the day starting Saturday and will continue over the next two weeks, transportation officials said.
The Retreat Fire has been burning down the Tieton Canyon along U.S. 12. It is 45,601 acres and 80% contained, with 339 personnel assigned, according to a Saturday update from the fire incident command team. Evacuation notices have been lifted.
State and federal forest lands remain closed. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Lodgepole Fire
The Lodgepole Fire started Monday near the Lodgepole campground off State Route 410. As of Saturday morning it was 35 acres and 6% contained, according to Inciweb. The lightning-caused fire is 16 miles west of Cliffdell. The California Interagency Incident Management Team 14 assumed command of the fire earlier in the week.
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. Helicopters are assisting ground crews to limit the fire's spread. A total of 47 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 11,555 acres with 2% containment Saturday morning. A total of 685 people are assigned, according to Inciweb.
The fire was started by lightning Aug. 5 and is burning in and near the Mount Adams Wilderness. Weekend weather predictions had winds increasing out of the east on Saturday, with a strong chance of thunderstorms late in the evening and a chance to produce up to half an inch of rain, according to Saturday's update.
The high winds could cause the fire to grow, but fuel moisture levels may be high enough to limit fire progression. A flash flood watch has been issued for the fire area, though it is unlikely to affect the town of Trout Lake, the 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 lost 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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