Winds, dry conditions fuel extreme fire danger warning in Tri-Cities & Eastern WA

Five fires in five hours blackened wildland around Kennewick on Tuesday night, sparking even greater concerns from Tri-Cities fire officials about the July 4 holiday weekend.

Already, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for Wednesday afternoon and evening across the Columbia Basin, including the Tri-Cities.

High temperatures and low humidity are expected to combine with winds from 15 to 25 mph to increase the fire danger. Gusts could reach up to 35 mph.

“It’s very, very dry. Given the heat and the low humidity, the winds are very problematic,” Deputy Fire Chief Michael Heffner told the Tri-City Herald on Wednesday.

Heffner said several firefighters are being called in to increase the number of people available.

The deputy chief was coming off of a night that saw firefighters racing from hot spot to hot spot.

The fires started at 11 p.m. Tuesday and stretched into 3:45 a.m. Wednesday. With the largest burning about five acres on Thompson Hill near the corner of Columbia Center Boulevard and 21st Avenue.

No one was hurt and no homes were lost Tuesday. But some houses were evacuated briefly out of concern that embers could spread the fire.

Heffner said it was fortunate the wind hadn’t kicked up yet at that point.

A fire in the same general area over the weekend appeared to be linked to fireworks, but he said investigators are still investigating what caused the Tuesday and Wednesday blazes.

Firefighters from Pasco and Richland and from Benton County Fire District 1 and Franklin County Fire District 3 helped control the fires.

Wednesday, fire crews were continuing to monitor the Thompson Hill fire. Heffner said piles of brush in the area are expected to continue to smolder for a while and people can expect to see smoke lingering in the area.

The other fires were at:

• 42nd Avenue at 11 p.m.
• Canal Drive and Quincy Street at 11:54 p.m.
• Clearwater Avenue and Deschutes Avenue at 2:29 a.m.
• Canyon Lakes Drive and South Union Street at 3:41 a.m.

Benton County Fire District 1 also responded to a fire on Cottonwood Drive.

Fourth of July

Heffner asked people to use extreme caution if they’re going to be lighting their own fireworks. That includes having water available and a shovel handy to put dirt on the fire.

Officials also ask people to buy fireworks at approved stands in the city they’re going to set them off in. That way you can be sure they’re using fireworks that are legal for the area. Violators can get fined.

Fire departments also plan to have staff stationed at parks.

Glenwood Overlook Park in south Richland will be closed Thursday through Saturday to reduce fire risk in that area, Richland officials said in a release.

Officials also asked residents to be good neighbors by avoiding setting off fireworks late at night, safely cleaning up debris and be mindful of neighbors, pets and those sensitive to smoke.

This story was originally published July 2, 2025 at 12:56 PM.