An eighth fire hits Zintel Canyon, and frustration is growing

Firefighters spent Thursday afternoon scouring the scene of the second fire in two days in Zintel Canyon, searching for answers.

The blaze broke out near 2200 Dennis Place before 1 p.m., close to the scene of a Wednesday blaze. The fire was in the middle of a gully between the Spirit of America Trail and the walking trails along the edge.

The fire did not threaten any homes, and no one was hurt, officials reported.

Kennewick and Benton County Fire District 1 firefighters doused the flames within a half-hour and called police to help search for clues to the cause.

This is the eighth in a series of blazes that have been plaguing the canyon since the spring. They’ve charred more than 10 acres and closed the popular recreation area for days at a time.

Between the graffiti, litter and fires, people living along the edge of the canyon are expressing frustration. Richard Moore, who lives on Seventh Avenue, spoke out at Tuesday’s city council meeting and said the condition of the canyon has gone beyond belief.

“You’re going to have to do something or you’re going to lose the entire section of the city,” he said.

Police began stepping up patrols to search for transient camps and fires through the canyon a couple weeks ago, said Sgt. Aaron Clem.

Investigators have not officially linked the fires to the homeless camps. However, police discovered a camp last week.

“We’ve been doing some work in Zintel Canyon because we’ve noticed some transients down there,” Clem said. “As calls for service and staffing allows, we’ve been trying to keep an eye on that place.”

Other city departments are looking to increase their focus on the 63-acre, city-owned recreation area, said Evelyn Lusignan, spokesperson for the city. They are working on an interdepartmental plan to address the concerns of people about the canyon.

Along with the increase in police presence, they will be looking at what plants need to be trimmed back, public outreach and other ways of improving the park.

A private effort by a Kennewick teacher to start a neighborhood watch around the park appears to have gone quiet. While the group went into the canyon to pick up trash after it’s initial meeting, they haven’t talked to city officials since, said Kennewick Crime Prevention Specialist Mike Blatman.

Police helped teacher Jeff Wiens organize the group.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about any of the fires in the canyon to call 509-628-0333.

This story was originally published September 20, 2018 at 1:11 PM with the headline "An eighth fire hits Zintel Canyon, and frustration is growing."