Seeing smoke in the Yakima River Delta? 20 acres still smoldering along Highway 240

A fire in the Yakima River Delta in Richland is sending a plume of smoke up by Highway 240 Sunday and Monday.

The blaze broke out about 4:15 a.m. Sunday east of Highway 240 in the marshy area where the Yakima and Columbia Rivers meet.

Richland firefighters were joined by Kennewick fire and Benton County Fire District 1 in battling the blaze. They stopped the forward movement of the fire after about two hours, Richland Fire Battalion Chief Michael VanBeek told the Tri-City Herald.

The marshy area hindered firefighter access, he said. They needed to go along the bike paths to make their way to the blaze.

The estimated 20-acre area is expected to continue burning for at least a week, VanBeek said.

Richland Fire and Emergency Services will continue to monitor the area to ensure public safety.

Residents are encouraged to stay clear of the area because it may pose hazardous conditions.

This land is owned and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The cause has not been determined and is still under investigation.