Wildfire destroys cars between Prosser, Benton City

A brush fire Monday destroyed some cars and tractors near Interstate 82 between Prosser and Benton City.

Firefighters from several agencies rushed to put out the roughly 100-acre blaze that started near the area of North Hansen and West Gibbon roads.

West Benton Fire & Rescue officials said two structures were threatened but saved by firefighters.

The cause appeared to be a BNSF maintenance truck near the railroad tracks, an official said.

Firefighters from Benton County’s four fire districts, West Benton Fire & Rescue, Yakima County Fire 5 and the Richland Fire Department helped contain the blaze.

The blaze comes on the heels of a wildfire this weekend that chewed up almost 2,300 acres in rural Benton County.

Benton County Fire District 1 said the Locust Grove fire was out as of Sunday. It was started by a ball bearing that fell out of a pully on a combine.

This story was originally published July 23, 2018 at 12:34 PM.