Courtesy of the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office.
UPDATE: August 12, 2026 at 12:25 p.m.
A large area of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is now fully closed for firefighting operations on the Three Queens Fire, according to the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office. The fire is active on both sides of Lake Kachess.
KCSO said the closure is in place for public lands surrounding Lake Kachess on all sides, the western and southern sides of Lake Cle Elum, and the area extending north of the lakes to the Pacific Crest Trail.
36 trails are closed within the area, including the Pacific Crest Trail from Snoqualmie Pass to Deception Pass. 30 forest service roads are also closed as well as 48 recreation sites.
For the full list of affected trails, roads and sites visit the KCSO Facebook page.
UPDATE: August 12, 2026 at 10:47 a.m.
The Three Queens Fire was showing active movement on Tuesday, according to an update from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The lightning-caused fire is 3,305 acres in size with no containment.
The forest service said crews have been concentrating efforts around French Cabin.
A Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuation order is in place for Kachess Campground, the area north of the campground, northeast of Box Canyon Road, and the northern portion of Forest Service Road 4818 along the east shore of Kachess Lake and the FS 4824 system.
Level 2 “GET SET” evacuations have been issued for cabins off Baker Lane south of Kachess Campground.
Level 1 “READY” evacuations are in place for all residences of Via Kachess Road south of the end of Kachess Lake Road and start of Forest Service Road 4900, and properties along Kachess Lane Road southwest to Forest Service Road 4934.
UPDATE: August 10, 2026 at 11:34 a.m.
The Three Queens Fire has grown to 2,478 acres with 0% containment, according to an update from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. 160 personnel are assigned to the fire.
For the latest evacuation information, view the official map online.
KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. – Evacuations have expanded for the Three Queens Fire, which is burning an estimated 1,200 acres near Kachess Lake, as it remains 0% contained at this time.
According to the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office, Level 3 evacuation orders have been issued for the cabins and camp areas around Cooper Lake, Cooper River Road and the French Cabin Creek road system to the south. Both Cooper River Road and French Cabin Creek Road have been closed down.
Level 2 evacuation advisories have been issued for the area south of French Cabin Creek and west of Salmon La Sac Road, with the exception of the FS Road 4800 road system on the east side of Lake Kachess.
Level 1 evacuation notices remain in place for Baker Lane to the west of Lake Kachess.
Courtesy of Kittitas County Live Active Fire Map
Evacuation zones can be viewed on the Kittitas County Live Active Fire Map.
“Life safety remains our highest priority,” the sheriff’s office stated. “When responding to incidents involving rugged terrain, unfavorable weather conditions, and limited resources, it is essential that we take every precaution necessary to protect the public and support the safety of our firefighting partners.”
Members of the public are urged to avoid the Level 3 evacuation area, allowing crews to work safely and effectively.