WA state sending help to fight 1,600-acre and growing Yellepit Fire near Tri-Cities

Washington state sent firefighting help this weekend to battle the Yellepit Fire just southeast of the Tri-Cities.

It had grown to more than 1,600 acres on Saturday night but was reportedly 40% contained.

The fire was burning in Benton County and described as being not far from Finley and Wallula along the Columbia River.

The fire started just after 6 p.m. Friday and appeared to have been caused by a vehicle in the area, but it remains under investigation.

The fire size was reported by the state Saturday afternoon as 2,000 acres, but later in the afternoon fire mapping showed it closer to 1,600. But by Sunday the winds had picked up.

Late Friday, Benton County Fire District 1 said its crews were having trouble reaching the fire due to steep terrain.

Firefighters worked through the night to build dirt lines with bulldozers and also planned to do backburning, according to fire district spokesperson Jenna Kochenauer.

Early Saturday afternoon, the Washington state Fire Marshal’s Office said the fire was growing and agreed to send more resources to help local officials.

It was burning in grass and brush and threatening crops, power infrastructure and the main line of the BNSF railroad, it said. No evacuations had been ordered.

The Fire Protection Bureau has ordered two strike teams to the fire, according to the Fire Marshal’s Office.

This story was originally published September 2, 2023 at 2:05 PM with the headline "WA state sending help to fight 1,600-acre and growing Yellepit Fire near Tri-Cities."