BENTON COUNTY, Wash.- UPDATE. JUNE 14. 12:40 p.m. According to Benton County Fired District 2 the Yakitat Rd Fire is now 50% contained. The exact size of the fire is unknown, but is estimated to be 7,000 acres at this time.
5 strike teams are assisting in the firefighting efforts and cooler temperatures and calmer winds are expected to help firefighters throughout the day according to a BCFD2 press release.
The Southeast Washington All Hazard Incident Management Team is now in command of the fire that is one of four blazes being referred to as the “Benton Complex” consisting of the Red Mountain Fire, Hover Park Fire and Hansen Road Fire (formerly referred to as the Yakitat Rd fire).
JUNE 14. 7 a.m. The Yakitat Rd fire has burned 6,000 acres and is currently 25% contained according to Benton County Fire District 1.
UPDATE 10:32 p.m. Benton County Fire District 1 has lifted all Level 2 evacuation orders for residents in Webber Canyon, McBee Road, McBee Grade and between Gibbon Road and I-82.
UPDATE 7:30 p.m. The fire has reached 7,000 acres with multiple structures currently threatened. Level 3 evacuations are in place for homes east of the McBee grade.
The American Red Cross is set up at Kiona-Benton City High School.
State resources, including strike teams, air resources and mobilization specialists, are incoming.
McBee Road is closed off for crews to work.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE 4:35 p.m.
Multiple units are on scene of a fire near Yakitat and Gibbon Road.
Assistant Fire Chief Kelvin Schuman with Benton County Fire District 2 says there is no estimate on the acreage of the fire, but crews are focused on protecting nearby structures.
Winds are pushing the fire to the southeast with two aircrafts providing cover.
Crews from Benton City, Prosser, Kennewick and Franklin County are assisting in the fire.
