EVACUATE NOW: Goat Fire spikes to Level 3 in Upper Cle Elum Valley
Aug 23, 2026, 11:52 AM
Authorities issued a Level 3, Go Now, evacuation advisory for a new wildfire called the Goat Fire in the Upper Cle Elum Valley. (Photo: Kittitas Sheriff's Office)
(Photo: Kittitas Sheriff's Office)
Authorities are ordering evacuations for a new fire, called the Goat Fire, in the Cle Elum Valley of the Cascade Mountains.
The fire is burning in the northern part of the valley, and officials say there is a significant risk to people in the area.
They issued a Level Three, “Go Now” evacuation advisory for residents and communities accessed by Salmon La Sac Rd., north of Forest Service Road 4308, also known as French Cabin Creek Rd.
On Saturday evening, deputies with the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office contacted about a dozen people who are living or staying in that area.
At the time, they advised people that a Level Two, “Get Set” notification was in effect.
But conditions worsened, and the situation changed overnight.
On Sunday morning, the sheriff’s office reports deputies are moving back in to contact those they previously spoke with and tell them it’s time to get out.
Level Three is the most serious, and final wildfire warning level.
It means everyone in the affected area should leave immediately for their own safety, as well as the safety and operational ability of the crews trying to extinguish the fire.
Fire and thick smoke challenge crews battling a blaze in the Upper Cle Elum Valley. (Photo: Kittitas Sheriff’s Office)
Fire crews report the Goat Fire grew to ten acres near the Cle Elum River. They are trying to keep the fire from spreading to the Big Boulder Creek area.
Unmanned aircraft systems are assessing the size of the fire and trying to locate new starts in the area.
Crews now assigned to the new Goat Fire were already making efforts nearby to contain what is known as the Three Queens Fire.
On Friday, those crews saw significant expansion of the Three Queens Fire to the northeast, toward Cooper Lake Rd.
Evacuation map courtesy Kittitas County Emergency Management.
Crews are also working to gain control of a third wildfire known as the King Fire, a few miles north of the Three Queens Fire.
Follow the Three Queens Fire team Facebook page for information and updates on this and other wildfires in that area.
Follow the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for further evacuation notices and updates.
View live, updated evacuation zones on the Kittitas County Live Evacuation Map.
