BENTON CITY, Wash. — The Second Street fire in Benton County is now 95% contained, and all evacuation orders have been lifted.
In addition, all previously closed roads, including SR 224 and I-82 have been reopened.
According to Benton County Emergency Services, local agencies took back fire duties, as of 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27.
Benton County Emergency Services also note that smoke will linger for the next couple of days.
“If you see large columns of smoke outside of the fire area, please call 911. There is at least one haystack smoldering out by the racetrack,” Benton County Emergency Services wrote in a press release. “It will continue to burn and smolder for many days, but the property owner and the district are aware and are working to mitigate the issue.”
The Second Street fire, which began around 2:30 p.m. Friday spread to affect over 1,150 acres in Benton County.
According to Benton County Emergency Services, the fire began near Northeast Second Street and continued to move north.
State fire mobilization efforts began around 4:30 p.m. Friday, with resources coming in “overnight,” according to Benton County Emergency Services.
Southwest Washington Incident Management took over from Benton County Friday at 10 p.m.
“Yesterday, many resources completed their operational objectives, returned to camp to demobilize and rest, and will be heading home this morning,” Benton County Emergency Services wrote in a press release. “The remaining crews will continue mop-up, assessing and mapping perimeter lines and damaged structures, and looking for hot spots before heading home later today.”
Level three evacuation notices were initially sent for anyone living near Kennedy Road and SR 22 to the North Sunset intersection.
Level two evacuation notices were also initially sent out for anyone near the intersection of Sunset Road at SR 224 to Keene Road.
An evacuation center was set up by the Red Cross at Central Church at 1124 Stevens in Richland, but they are now on standby, according to Benton County Emergency Services.
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