Evacuation orders at multiple levels remain in place around the Three Queens Fire in Kittitas County, Washington, as firefighters continue working to contain a blaze that has burned nearly 9,500 acres just east of Snoqualmie Pass. The fire, reported at 9,527 acres with 20% containment as of mid-week, has prompted one of the most sustained evacuation scenarios of any active incident in Washington this season.

Current Evacuation Zones — Three Queens Fire

Kittitas County Emergency Management has issued evacuation orders across three levels in the Cle Elum River drainage:

  • Level 3 "Go Now": Kachess Campground and immediate surrounding areas. Residents and campers must evacuate immediately. Emergency personnel are in the area and time to leave safely may be limited.
  • Level 2 "Get Set": Areas along Baker Lane and portions of the upper Cle Elum River corridor. Residents should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice and should be packing essential items, medications, pets, and important documents.
  • Level 1 "Get Ready": Additional properties north of the end of Kachess Lake Road. Residents should monitor updates closely and have an evacuation plan ready.

Fire Behavior and Suppression

Crews are reinforcing containment lines on the fire's flanks as cooler weather and recent rain have helped moderate fire behavior compared to peak activity earlier in the week. The Cle Elum Ranger District has closed forest roads and trails west of Highway 903 across the Cle Elum River drainage. The Pacific Crest Trail between Snoqualmie Pass and Deception Pass also remains closed to the public.

Incident commanders are cautioning that smoldering fuels and potential wind events could still threaten gains on the perimeter, and evacuation orders are unlikely to be fully lifted in the near term. Residents should not return to evacuated areas without explicit official clearance.

Oregon: Austin Fire Level 1 Notice at Harriet Lake

In Oregon, the Austin Fire in Clackamas County — burning in Mount Hood National Forest approximately 25 miles southeast of Estacada — has made significant containment progress following recent rainfall. A Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice remains in effect for the Harriet Lake area as crews continue monitoring for any reactivation of fire behavior.

The Austin Fire burned 12,887 acres and was progressing toward full containment as of mid-September. Residents near Harriet Lake should remain alert, maintain their evacuation plans, and monitor official channels for any changes to the evacuation level.

How to Stay Informed

Residents in Washington and Oregon who may be affected by active fire zones are encouraged to:

  • Sign up for county emergency alert systems (AlertSense, Everbridge, or local equivalents)
  • Monitor official county emergency management social media channels
  • Check InciWeb at inciweb.wildfire.gov for the latest incident updates
  • Never return to an evacuated area without official clearance from emergency management authorities
  • Have go-bags ready with medications, documents, and essential items if under Level 1 or 2 notices

Kittitas County Emergency Management updates are available at the county's official website. Oregon emergency information is coordinated through the Oregon Office of Emergency Management at oregon.gov/OEM.