The Three Queens Fire, burning near Kachess Lake in Kittitas County, Washington, 6 miles east of Snoqualmie Pass, had grown to 3,848 acres and was 2% contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Started by lightning on July 15, the fire had burned for more than a month across public lands around Kachess Lake and Cle Elum Lake.
Areas Affected
Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders were in effect for Kachess Campground and Forest Service Roads 4818, 4930, and 4824 along Kachess Lake’s east shore. The cabin area on Baker Lane, south of the campground, was under Level 2 (Be Set), while residential areas near Via Kachess Road and Salmon La Sac were at Level 1 (Be Ready). The Forest Service closed all of Kachess Lake, the western and southern shores of Cle Elum Lake, and the forested area extending from the two lakes to the Pacific Crest Trail. Portions of Cooper Pass Road (Forest Service Road 4600) and Box Canyon Road (Forest Service Road 4930) were also closed.
What RV Travelers Need to Know
RV travelers or campers planning to visit this area should check evacuation levels before leaving. Kittitas County’s online evacuation map showed real-time boundaries, while the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest website listed closed roads and trails. Entry was prohibited in Level 3 areas, and campground reservations did not allow visitors to return before evacuation orders were lifted. Travelers who needed to pass nearby also needed to prepare for reduced visibility and poor air quality from smoke. Fire vehicles had priority, so drivers on Forest Service roads needed to proceed slowly.
Photo: Pexels / Kelly, Aerial View of Smoke Rising from a Forest Fire (https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-view-of-smoke-rising-from-tennessee-forest-29693642/)