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KENNEWICK, Wash. - A wildfire is burning in south-central Washington state, prompting community notices and evacuations as state resources deploy to Benton County to get flames under control.
By the numbers:
As of Saturday, about 1,700 acres had burned in the area near Badger Canyon outside of Kennewick, Washington. One commercial building has been lost heading into Sunday, according to Benton County Fire District 1.
Air support is being deployed as crews work to increase containment of the fire. Authorities in the area ask people to not fly drones as it could hinder their ability to safely operate emergency aircraft.
Where are evacuations for the County Meadows Fire in WA?
Over the weekend, fire crews designated Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 evacuation zones as the fire progressed towards homes and businesses.
Photos from Benton County Fire District 1 show fire response to the Country Meadows fire southern Washington
The Level 3 "GO NOW" evacuation has been downgraded to a Level 2 "GET SET" order for the Triple Vista/Clodfelter area from the intersection of South Clodfelter and I-82 South to Locust Grove, including the Triple Vista Area. By Saturday night, the Benton County Emergency Services Facebook page was updating residents in that area to leave immediately.
Additionally, Clotfelter Road from Ridgeline to Locust Grove reopened after authorities had shut it down on Saturday.
People at the State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray were also under a Level 2 notice over the weekend.
Big picture view:
Over the Memorial Day weekend, on May 23, state fire assistance was mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan. Residents in the area will begin to see firefighting crews from different regions of the state in their neighborhoods as the additional personnel arrive to assist firefighting efforts.
What they're saying:
"Our interagency partners and access to air resources are a huge factor in the successful outcome of this fire. Homes with well-maintained defensible space was also a contributing factor. We cannot do enough to emphasize the importance of keeping 10-20 feet around your home free from all flammable materials, including plants and furniture," read a post, in part, from the Benton County Sheriff's Office page on Facebook.
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The Source: Information in this story came from multiple local emergency and law enforcement response agencies and departments such as the Benton County Sheriff's Office's Facebook account, the Benton County Emergency Services website and the Benton County Fire District #1.