Lyle Hill Fire Update 7:42 p.m.: Commanders ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ as Air attack gains ground on fast-moving Lyle Hill Fire
All Photos by Christine Ganey
The Dalles, Ore., June 28, 2026, 7:42 p.m. — Firefighters appeared to gain the upper hand Sunday evening in their battle against the fast-moving Lyle Hill Fire above Lyle, Wash., after an aggressive aerial assault and growing ground response slowed the blaze's advance.
Incident commanders reported at 6:20 p.m. they were "cautiously optimistic," saying progress on the fire was looking good but stressing it remained far from contained.
Air operations continued throughout the evening, with an additional air tanker arriving from Redmond while Tankers 186 and 106 refueled and returned to the fight. A strike team from Skamania County was assigned to the incident at 6:15 p.m., although by 6:49 p.m. the Skamania task force was told to stand down as conditions improved.
Earlier in the day, at least 11 aircraft—including air tankers, Fire Boss scoopers, Super Scoopers and helicopters—attacked the rapidly growing wildfire as strong west winds pushed flames east toward timber.
It prompted evacuations around Lyle and Centerville Road. Winds remained gusty Sunday evening, though sustained speeds had begun to ease slightly, helping firefighters make progress.
