A wildfire burning on the northwest corner of Kachess Lake in Kittitas County, Washington has grown to more than 3,500 acres with zero containment as of August 18, 2026, prompting all three levels of evacuation orders around the popular recreation corridor between Lake Kachess and Lake Cle Elum.
Fire History and Current Status
The Three Queens Fire ignited on July 15 and experienced a period of minimal activity before exploding in size during early August when dry, windy conditions swept through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. As of mid-August, the fire has consumed approximately 3,534 acres of mixed conifer and shrub fuels, with 160 personnel assigned and suppression costs exceeding $5.9 million.
The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office has issued Level 1 (Ready), Level 2 (Set), and Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders affecting a significant number of residences, vacation cabins, and campgrounds in the Kachess Lake area. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has also issued a closure order for the immediate area surrounding the fire.
Impacts to Recreation
Kachess Lake and Cle Elum Lake are among the most heavily visited recreation areas in the eastern Cascades. Campgrounds, boat launches, and trailheads in the closure zone have been evacuated and closed to public access. Highway 90 access to some trailheads remains restricted. Campers with reservations in the affected areas should contact the Recreation.gov reservation system for guidance on cancellations and refunds.
Fire Behavior and Terrain
The terrain along the northwest shore of Kachess Lake is steep, with dense timber fuels and limited road access — conditions that complicate ground-based suppression operations. Aerial resources have been critical to slowing the fire's progression toward the lake's developed shoreline. Fire managers expect the fire to remain active as long as dry and gusty conditions persist.
Monitoring and Alerts
Kittitas County residents and visitors can access real-time evacuation maps and zone information through the Kittitas County Emergency Management website. Evacuation level changes can happen rapidly with shifting wind conditions. Those in Level 1 and Level 2 zones are strongly urged to prepare to leave and avoid delaying if orders escalate to Level 3.
The Three Queens Fire is being tracked on InciWeb under the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest incident listings. Updates are posted at least once daily during active burning conditions.