Evacuation order lifted as 1,700-acre Badger Canyon fire nearly contained
Fire crews continue to monitor a wildland fire that burned 1,700 acres in the Badger Canyon area over the weekend.
The blaze, dubbed the Country Meadows Fire, was 90 percent contained by Tuesday.
Firefighters put out a small flare-up Tuesday morning, Benton County Fire District 1 Public Information Officer Jenna Roberts told the Tri-City Herald.
“Temperatures are cooler today, that’s a good thing, but it’s still really dry out there,” she said.
There is still light smoke visible in the area as the fire continues to smolder, primarily coming from a debris pile and a burned shop.
There are no evacuation warnings left in effect.
Crews first responded to the fire in rural Benton County about 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it was reported to have started after a controlled burn at the end of Country Meadows Lane spread.
The fire spread up the canyon due to dry conditions and hot and breezy weather over the weekend.
Four helicopters provided air support, dipping water from nearby canals. Community members and farmers also helped bulldoze fire break lines.
At its height, up to 150 homes were threatened. Evacuated homeowners were allowed to return on Sunday.
Aside from the shop building, no homes burned and there were no injuries reported.
“The one thing that we can’t predict when it comes to fire season is people’s behavior and that is the primary trigger of fires,” Roberts said.
“Anytime you’re outside doing anything that could potentially cause a fire, be very mindful of what you’re doing.”
Benton County is currently under a “high” fire risk, which means controlled burns are not allowed. Roberts said there are many other things that can unexpectedly cause a fire.
“If you’re mowing a field, and you hit a rock, that could cause a fire,” she said. “Anything that can generate a spark can quickly spark a fire that gets out of control.”
That includes dragging chains, target shooting and starting a vehicle in a grassy area.
Roberts said anyone working outside should have a fire extinguisher, shovel and water ready.
The fire district was assisted by crews from Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla counties, as well as the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
Washington State Patrol approved additional assistance through the Washington State Fire Services Mobilization Plan.
This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 12:14 PM.
