UPDATE: New fire threatening wineries, homes near Benton City under control

Homes were threatened Wednesday by another wildfire east of Benton City in what has become a near weekly occurrence in that area this summer.

A blaze off of East 388 PR was under control as of 1:40 p.m. after threatening homes, orchards and vineyards.

Firefighters were called to a stretch east of the Yakima River and north of Benton City about 12:30 p.m. The area is home to several wineries.

When they arrived they discovered a 3-acre fire. Firefighters asked for a wildland strike team to help battle the blaze, and they were able to stop it from spreading in about an hour.

It’s not immediately clear how large the fire grew or whether it damaged any crops.

This was the third major wildfire around Benton City since a destructive fire off Old Inland Empire Highway in the middle of June.

The 820-acre fire destroyed five homes and 17 outbuildings and damaged crops and vineyards.

Then, a 2-alarm wildfire June 23 near Benton City burned about 500 acres, forcing evacuation order but no homes burned.

This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 1:53 PM.