2nd St Fire Near Tri-Cities and West Richland: Evacuation Orders Issued as Wildfire Spreads

A wildfire near Benton City in Washington’s Benton County has spread rapidly, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders for residents living in areas threatened by the flames. The fire, identified as the 2nd St Fire, was reported near the 11,000 block of NE 2nd St and had expanded to around 1,000 acres by the early hours of September 26.

Authorities have issued a Level 3 evacuation order for areas facing an immediate threat from the wildfire. Residents in the affected zone have been told to leave without delay as firefighters continue working to contain the blaze. The evacuation area includes a subdivision accessed through North Valley Drive Way and Pear Drive, as well as Apple Drive, Cherry Drive, Berry Drive and Plum Drive. The Kiona Village Community Mobile Home Park is also included in the evacuation area.

An emergency evacuation center has been established at Ki-Be High School, located at 1205 Horne Drive in Benton City, to assist residents who have been displaced by the fire. People leaving their homes have been advised to take essential medicines, identification, important documents, mobile-phone chargers and other necessary items. Residents with pets are also being urged to make arrangements for their animals before leaving.

The fire is burning near Benton City in the broader Tri-Cities region, with communities such as West Richland monitoring developments. Officials have cautioned that the situation can change quickly because of weather conditions, wind and dry vegetation. Evacuation boundaries and road conditions could therefore be adjusted as firefighters assess the movement of the fire.

Residents in and around the affected communities have been urged to rely on official emergency notifications for the latest information and avoid depending on outdated maps or unverified social media reports. Authorities have stressed that people inside a Level 3 evacuation zone should leave immediately rather than waiting for the fire to get closer. Fire crews remain engaged in response operations as officials continue to monitor the wildfire. With the blaze still active, residents across Benton County and the Tri-Cities area are being asked to remain alert and follow any new evacuation or safety instructions issued by emergency authorities.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.