Update: Highway 14 reopens after fire burns 20 acres at WA-Oregon border
Highway 14 reopened about 4:45 p.m. after a wildfire burned about 20 acres near the Washington-Oregon border on Tuesday afternoon.
The east-west highway was closed at 3:50 p.m. south of the Tri-Cities between Plymouth and Paterson, said a release from the Washington State Department of Transportation.
A passerby called 911 about 2:30 p.m. after seeing a semi truck with chains sending sparks into the dry grass near the highway.
The sparks started four to six small blazes between Reese Road and Christy Road near AgriNorthwest, said Jenna Roberts with Benton County Fire District 1.
Some power poles were damaged, but no other structures were immediately threatened. Crews were prioritizing protecting cattle in the area, she said.
Mostly the fire burned in dry grass, but it also got into some groves of Russian olive trees, Roberts said.
They were able to get the fire under control about 4:45 p.m. and were spending time putting out hot spots.
The Washington State Patrol closed parts of Highway 14 just north of the Columbia River when flames jumped the road. A combination of smoke and fire hoses on the road made it dangerous for people to drive through.
Westbound traffic was stopped at Watts Road (milepost 169), and eastbound drivers were stopped at Plymouth Road (milepost 180).
Roberts said the fire is a good reminder that wildfire season has started in Benton and Franklin counties. With a wet spring and the recent uptick in temperatures, there is more potential for fire.
Most of the fires in the area are caused by people rather than lightening, she said, and being cautious can prevent a large blaze. She urged people to have a shovel and water with them if they’re doing something that could start a fire, and to call 911 first if a fire starts.
“The hardest thing to predict is how humans behave,” she said. “People need to be mindful that whatever you’re doing could start a fire.”
This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 4:18 PM.