Lyle Hill Fire reaches 60% containment as state resources begin demobilizing

Photo courtesy the Lyle Fire & Rescue Dist. #4

The Dalles, Ore., July 1, 2026 — The Lyle Hill Fire burning near the community of Lyle, Washington, was 60% contained Wednesday as firefighters continued mopping up hot spots and state mobilization resources began returning to their home units.

The fire, which started at approximately 1:45 p.m. June 28, has burned an estimated 233 acres about 10 miles northwest of The Dalles. The cause remains under investigation, and no injuries have been reported.

According to the Southeast Washington Interagency Team, 203 personnel remain assigned to the fire, including six crews, 13 engines and three water tenders.

Fire officials said winds have tested containment lines over the past two days, but those lines have continued to hold. Firefighters are focusing on extinguishing hot spots along the fire's perimeter while smoke remains visible from burning logs and stumps within the fire's interior.

Photo from June 29 - Photo courtesy the Lyle Fire & Rescue Dist. #4

Suppression repair work has also begun in some areas, including repairing dozer and hand lines by installing water bars to reduce erosion caused by firefighting operations.

With fire activity decreasing, the remaining resources assigned through the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan are being released, and command of the incident is scheduled to transition from the Southeast Washington Interagency Team back to a local Type 4 incident commander Thursday morning.

Evacuation levels in Klickitat County have been reduced, and the section of the Centerville Highway that had been closed because of the fire reopened June 30. Doug's Beach State Park also reopened Tuesday.

The Lyle Cherry Orchard Preserve Trail remains closed.

Fire behavior was described as minimal Wednesday in grass, brush and timber fuels. Forecasts called for west winds of 10 to 15 mph during the morning, increasing to 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 34 mph in the afternoon. Temperatures were expected to reach the upper 60s with no rain in the forecast.

The temporary flight restriction that had been in place over the fire area to protect aerial firefighting operations has been lifted, according to fire officials.