Badger Canyon fire 60% contained at 1,700 acres. Residents returned to homes
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- Country Meadows Fire burned 1,700 acres in the Badger Canyon area near Kennewick.
- The fire threatened about 150 homes and prompted evacuations in the area.
- Farmers and private owners of bulldozers helped fight the fire.
The Country Meadows Fire near Kennewick burned 1,700 acres in the Badger Canyon area Saturday, larger than initial estimates, according to updated information Sunday from Benton Fire District 1.
As of Sunday night it was 60% contained, and firefighters were expected to remain at the fire through Monday.
Wind gusts of up to 23 mph were forecast by the National Weather Service Monday, but rain expected Monday night should help firefighters.
On Saturday the blaze threatened about 150 homes, burning up to the property line of several homes on the ridge top, and requiring some evacuations. By Sunday people had returned to their homes but instructed to remain aware of the threat of fire.
No homes burned, but a shop was destroyed, and fire crews were continuing to assess other buildings for damage on Sunday. Crews also were checking 100 feet around structures Sunday to make sure the fire was out.
There were no reports of injuries.
Deputy Chief Ryan Nicholls of Benton Fire District 1, the incident commander, said the fire started at the end of Country Meadows Lane around 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
It may have started after when a controlled burn began to spread, but the cause remains under investigation.
The fire spread quickly up hill and up canyon due to dry conditions and hot and breezy weather that continued on Sunday, Nicholls said.
Helicopters that dipped water from canals, and firefighters from many agencies helped fight the fire.
Farmers and other Tri-Cities area residents also showed up to disc and bulldoze fire break lines to help contain the fire.
Having air firefighter support was a major factor in limiting the damage done by the fire, Nicholls said. Homes surrounded with defensible space also helped.
“We cannot do enough to emphasize the importance of keeping 10-20 feet around hour home free from all flammable materials, including plants and furniture, Benton Fire District 1 posted on Facebook.
Drifting smoke choked parts of west Kennewick and south Richland as the fire burned Saturday and billowing clouds of light smoke could be seen for miles across the Tri-Cities region
On Saturday, the fire was fought until midnight by city and county fire crews from Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties. Federal and state firefighting agencies also helped.
The Washington State Fire Marshal authorized state mobilization Saturday evening to support the fire, which was about 20% contained then. Sunday morning fire crews from outside the Tri-Cities area arrived to provide relief to local crews.
At 5 p.m. Saturday Benton County sheriff’s deputies were going door-to-door to homes in the area between Locust Grove Road and Interstate 82 or Ridgeline Road on both sides of Clodfelter Road to warn residents to be prepared to evacuate.
About an hour later homes from the intersection of Clodfelter Road and Interstate 82 to Locust Grove Road, including the Tripple Vista area, were evacuated.
Clodfelter Road from Ridgeline Drive to Locust Grove Road was closed to traffic Saturday evening and reopened about 10 p.m. that night.
Traffic from people driving out to see the fire and drones had been a problem, said Jenna Roberts with Benton Fire District 1. At times drones interfered with helicopters.
This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 9:22 PM.