SIT REP 3: JUNE 14, 2023, WEDNESDAY, 2100 HOURS PDT
Photo Credit: BCFD1
On June 13, 2023, three wildfires were burning in Benton County, known as the “Benton County Complex”. Yesterday, the fires were known as the Hover Road Fire, Meals Road, Yakitat Fire, and the Rupert Fire but since today, they have been renamed. Here is an update on these three.
The Southeast Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team arrived under an approved Washington State (State Fire Marshal) Mobilization for additional fire resources and equipment to assist with the exploding fire. State mobe resources arrived in camp just before 0600 hours this morning. The Complex Incident Commander is Walter Escobar with his Trainee, Ryan Nicholls.
All evacuation orders have been lifted as of 2200 hours on Tuesday night.
Some local fire units are still using the former fire names but we are gleaning information from the SE WA IMT directly
HANSEN ROAD FIRE (Formerly Yakitat Road Fire)
10 Tanker (McDonnell Douglas DC-10) does what it is meant to do by these amazing and skillful fire pilots. Photo Credit: BCFPD2
The Hansen Road Fire formerly known as the Yakitat Road Fire, is located off of Yakita Road near I-82, between Benton City and Prosser in Benton County. More or less about 10 miles southeast of Prosser.
The fire ignited on June 13, 2023, at 1447 hours. The cause has not been “officially released and is currently under investigation.
The fire has been downgraded to 6,000 acres and has a 25% containment status.
Local resources: Benton County Fire Districts 2 and 5.
State Mobe resources: South Puget Sound Strike Team (Buckley FD)
(Photo Credit: Buckley FD)
Federal resources: Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Media: KAPP-KVEW Local News reported their signal was impacted by the fire
Evacuations: All orders were lifted for the Yakitat/Hanson Road, including Webber Canyon, County Well, McBee Road, McBee grade and between Gibbon and I-82.
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HOVER FIRE (Formerly Meals Fire)
The Hover Fire, formerly known as the Meals Fire started as the first official wildfire on June 13, 2023, at 1305 hours which started before the Hansen Road Fire.
It is located at Hover Road and Meals Road in the Finley area of Benton County, Washington.
The fire has grown to 1,000 acres but fire crews are starting to make progress and have reached as of this afternoon, a 50% containment status.
Its cause is also unknown and under investigation.
No injuries to firefighters, first responders, or civilians were reported.
Photo Credit: BCFD1
This is in the Benton County Fire District 1’s jurisdiction.
Dispatch Centers in Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla Counties and SECOMM all worked in conjunction with one another, as Benon was slammed with calls.
RUPERT FIRE (Formerly Red Mountain Fire)
A third wildfire ignited on Tuesday night around 1920 hours said to be located on Rupert Road and Demoss Road. Two homes were fully engulfed and five others were under direct threat, including radio infrastructure and power lines.
The cause is unknown and under investigation.
At the time of this post, the fire has destroyed about 150 acres, but there is a 25% containment status. Minimal fire behavior has been reported.
All evacuation orders for the intersection of Demoss and Rupper Road east to north Fox Hill Roads, Lobb, 682, 132, 129, PR (private road) NE, Zwicker, Bumgarner, Tara, and Fox Hill Roads have all been lifted as of last night’s update from Benton County Fire District’s PIO.
Residents in the West Richland area could see large plumes of smoke on the ridgeside from their homes.
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