2-alarm wildfire sends smoke across Tri-Cities; partially contained

Part of west Kennewick and south Richland were choked by drifting smoke on Saturday from one of the largest wild land fires of the season.

In a Sunday morning Facebook post, Benton County Fire District 1 said the fire was approximately 1,700 acres , according to mapping performed late Saturday night. The National Interagency Fire Center reported 60% containment as of Sunday evening.

One secondary structure burned, though no injuries have been reported.

Ryan Nicholls, deputy fire chief and incident commander, said crews Sunday would focus on creating fire lines and “mopping up” around structures to ensure all fire activity is out.

The two-alarm blaze burning south of Badger Canyon and Interstate 82 led to the dispatch of more than 30 fire trucks from around the area to try to contain it.

The fire began as a controlled burn that reportedly went out of control, fire officials said.

The fire burned up to the property lines of several homes on the ridge top, but fire crews are on hand to protect the structures, Jenna Roberts with Benton County Fire District 1 posted on Facebook.

She said the region is already in a high fire danger this season because of dry conditions. Outdoor burning is currently not allowed, except for agricultural permits.

The billowing clouds of light smoke could be seen for miles across the Tri-Cities region.

The Country Meadows fire was reported about 1:30 p.m. Saturday and about 250 acres were consumed by 4 p.m., according to initial dispatch and online reports.