Update: Kennewick fire contained but flames may be seen for days. Red flag fire warning

Tri-City Herald staff
·2 min read

A fire that started off the Bob Olson Parkway in south Kennewick Friday evening is under control but could burn for days with flames visible to the public.

Kennewick firefighters were called to a grass fire just after 5 p.m. Friday, and Benton County Fire District 1 reported the fire was about 80% contained at 7:15 p.m.

But flames continued to burn Saturday in a slash pile of sagebrush, tumbleweeds and other vegetation that had been cleared for a construction project, according to Jenna Kochenauer, spokesperson for the fire district.

The slash pile is the equivalent of about two stories high and 100-feet wide.

Packed vegetation in the pile makes it difficult to get the fire out, Kochenauer said.

A dramatic-looking plume of smoke drifts over south Kennewick from a grass fire Friday afternoon. Cory McCoy/Tri-City Herald
A dramatic-looking plume of smoke drifts over south Kennewick from a grass fire Friday afternoon. Cory McCoy/Tri-City Herald

Fire lines have been cut around the slash pile to prevent the fire from spreading, and two bulldozers, one volunteered by an area resident, are on standby.

Friday evening, a wall of flames could be seen burning through open lots near Sherman Road, sending up a huge plume of smoke.

No homes were threatened, and no injuries were reported, said Kennewick Deputy Fire Chief Michael Heffner.

Kennewick police are helping investigate the cause of the fire, and some witnesses have provided information, according to Kochenauer.

Winds were light when the fire started, but if the fire had started Saturday the fire would have been more difficult to fight, she said.

A red flag fire warning was issued for most of Eastern Washington, including the Tri-Cities, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.

Low relative humidity and wind gusts up to 23 mph are forecast for the Tri-Cities.

A wall of flames sweeps across open grassland south of Bob Olson Parkway near Colorado Street in Kennewick. Wendy Culverwell/Tri-City Herald
A wall of flames sweeps across open grassland south of Bob Olson Parkway near Colorado Street in Kennewick. Wendy Culverwell/Tri-City Herald

Across Eastern Washington west winds are expected to increase Friday night into Saturday and peak Saturday afternoon and evening.

Critical fire weather conditions could lead to rapid spread of new fires, according to the National Weather Service.

On Friday the fire danger forecast for Benton County was increased to “very high.”

Flame lengths will be long with high intensity, making control very difficult, according to Benton County.