Several fires in the Columbia Basin have triggered evacuations, and are occupying numerous firefighting crews.
Fire Burning Between Benton City and Prosser
An evacuation shelter was opened at Prosser High School as of 6 PM Sunday evening, according to information from Ray Lapine, American Red Cross Northwest Region Communications Volunteer.
At least 40 people have evacuated homes as the fire burns near the Old Inland Empire Highway North of I-82 between Prosser and Benton City. Numerous aerial units were seen in the area, and the Tri-City Herald reports at least one home has burned.
Another Fire Burning in the Juniper Dunes Area North of Pasco
About 600 acres have burned in the 19,000 acre site,, 7,000 of it are the recreation area in northern Franklin County. That fire was reported Saturday night, north of the Juniper Dunes Road area.
Fire Also Burning near Twin Sisters
It’s called the Highway 740 fire, burning south of Wallula Junction. A late Saturday night crash had closed Highway 730, then the Washington Department of Transportation reported the blaze burning through brush in the area. It is not known if the fire and the vehicle crash are related.
Walla Walla County Emergency Services triggered evacuations in the Hatch Grade area which is located south of the junction, those were done Sunday afternoon.
Officials also report power lines burned, in the Benton County fire leaving homes and others in Benton City and Prosser without power as of Sunday evening. Numerous fire units and aerial helicopters and aircraft continue to battle the blazes. The outages were reported by the Benton REA.
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