Tri-Cities fire crews battle July 4 blazes likely caused by fireworks

Fire Departments across the Tri-Cities had their work cut out for them as dozens of calls about fireworks related fires began pouring in as dusk settled on Independence Day.

Benton County Fire District 1 public information officer Jenna Roberts said crews were battling a multi-structure and natural cover fire near Finley.

The fire began on 2013 PR SE, off of Highway 397, and resulted in traffic backups due to flames visible from the highway around 10 p.m.

She said there had been multiple small explosions, likely propane.

Callers told dispatcher the fire was started by fireworks. It burned two acres and several outbuildings.

Roberts said crews had been responding to fireworks calls related across Benton and Franklin Counties around about 8:30 p.m. Between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. dispatch reports showed more than 50 fire related responses by local departments.

Roberts urged Tri-Citians to use caution with fireworks.

Crews in West Richland battled a large field fire near Keene Road and West Lattin Road. The fire resulted in lane closures as firefighters worked to get it under control around 11 p.m.

Benton County Fire District 4 said another fire in West Richland on the 4000 block of S. 38th Street was started by fireworks and flames were threatening structures, according to a post at 10 p.m.

Multiple engines were also dispatched to a possible commercial structure fire on the 100 block of Reata Road in Richland. The area is home to several businesses and a mini-storage complex.

Crews in Pasco were working a fire near Deseret Drive and Road 68, another on the 2500 block of Park Street and a third near S. 26 Avenue and A Street, according to dispatch reports.

Franklin County managed a small natural cover fire near Kau Trail and Road 72 N.

As of 10 a.m. Saturday Pasco and Franklin county crews were dealing with a vegetation fire on the 400 block of Locust Water Rd. and another off of Snake River Road just north of Sacajawea Lake.

This story was originally published July 4, 2025 at 11:53 PM.