Evacuations tied to the Goat Fire in Washington's Kittitas County were reduced on September 18, 2026, as the fire reached 85% containment on 815 acres in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office lowered evacuation warning levels in several areas near the northern ends of Lake Kachess and Lake Cle Elum, providing some relief to residents and property owners who had been displaced by the lightning-caused fire that ignited August 22.
The Goat Fire is located approximately 15 miles north of Ronald, Washington, in mountainous terrain characterized by extreme slopes and unstable ground conditions. Crews have been closely monitoring terrain hazards and adjusting tactics to maintain safe and effective operations throughout the incident.
Evacuation Level Reductions
The September 18 reduction in evacuation warning levels affected areas within and surrounding the portion of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest that remains closed to public recreation. Officials noted that lowering evacuation levels does not reopen the affected areas for recreational use — the changes primarily affect residents and property owners within those boundaries.
Current evacuation levels and boundaries can be viewed on the Kittitas County Live Evacuation Map at the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office website. Residents are encouraged to monitor the Kittitas County Sheriff's Facebook page for real-time updates.
Road and Trail Access
Access improvements accompanied the evacuation level reductions. The entire North Fork Teanaway Road up to the Cathedral Pass and Deception Pass Trailhead is now fully open following a closure order reduction on September 18. All trails and roads to the east of the 903 and 4330 roads are also open, as is access to both the Cathedral Pass and Deception Pass Trailheads.
A broader forest closure order remains in effect for portions of the national forest. A complete list of closed roads and trails, along with a closure map, is available on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest website at fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee.
Ongoing Monitoring
The Goat Fire is one of several fires in Chelan and Kittitas counties that have been exhibiting subdued behavior in recent weeks, aided by recent precipitation and cooler seasonal temperatures. Structure protection measures remain active in portions of the closure area.
The Three Queens and King fires, which burned in the same general area of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, also saw evacuation level reductions on September 18. Residents with questions about their specific area should contact the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office directly.