Washington state sending help to fight fire near Tri-Cities

KENNEWICK — Washington state is sending firefighting help as the Yellepit Fire just southeast of the Tri-Cities has grown to an estimated 2,000 acres.

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

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.

Late Friday, Benton County Fire District 1 said its crews were having trouble reaching the fire due to steep terrain. Then its size was estimated at about 650 acres.

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.

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.