Wild fire that blackened 600 acres, threatened homes west of Tri-Cities nearly contained
A blaze north of Benton City was under control Tuesday after blackening more than 600 acres and forcing some homes to be evacuated.
The fire that started shortly after 10:15 a.m. Monday near Trinity Road PR Northwest, south of Rattlesnake Mountain, was reported 90% contained by Tuesday morning, according to the Northwest Coordination Center. It’s still undetermined how it began.
The slow moving blaze moved through the short grass in the lightly populated area about 2 miles north of Benton City.
It threatened to burn six homes and required evacuations along Leonard Road PR Northwest, according to fire official reports.
People along Montana PR, West Sunrise PR Northwest, Wagon Wheel PR Northwest and West 682 PR Northwest were also told to be prepared to leave.
Statewide mobilization was authorized and several planes and helicopters were called in to help put water on areas of the fire that were difficult to reach, including steep hillsides.
The single-engine tankers could be seen flying low over the Yakima River to scoop up loads of water.
The plans, which are stationed at the Richland Airport, can carry 800 gallons each.
In more accessible areas, bulldozers cut lines though the grass ahead of the advancing fire to deny it fuel to keep burning.
Firefighting efforts also required Highway 225 to be closed for about two hours between Acord Road and the Rattlesnake Mountain Shooting Facility.
Flames nearly reached one house, but in the end no homes or outbuildings burned and no one was reported injured, said officials.
By 5 p.m., fire officials were saying it was safe for residents to return home and that the fire was under control.
This story was originally published August 15, 2023 at 12:06 PM.