Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Fire Update

INCIDENT SUMMARY

According to local Fire Officials with the Richland Fire & Emergency Services, a wildfire broke out on Sunday, March 23, 2025, near SR240 in the Yakima Delta area, which started approximately a quarter of a mile north of Ben Franklin Transit. This continued along the east side of SR 240 near the Yakima River Bridge.

(L) Photo Credit | Richland Fire & Emergency Services

The fire burning in the mostly marshy landscape was said to have difficult accessibility, but crews were able to successfully able to bring it under control. The fire was mostly contained at that time, though there were concerns of smoke in the area. The status of the burn scar was under fire watch.

The land is said to be owned and maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and they have been working with their personnel and the City of Richland on planning what the next steps would be.

About 20-plus acres were burned and the cause of the fire has not been determined, as Fire officials are still investigating the source of the ignition.

Bateman Island was not impacted, per an official spokesman with the Fire Department.

CURRENT STATUS

On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, firefighters with the Richland Fire & Emergency Services were busy with firewatch throughout the evening with reports of no imminent danger to the public, and another reassessment of the fire would be conducted on Wednesday, March 26th.

At 0730 hours this morning, the US Army Corps of Engineers, with the local Fire Department assessed the fire area today and discovered there is still fire and it continues to burn and smolder for several weeks. Crews were busy constructing containment lines at the north end of the fire (perimeter).

STATE DNR RESPONSE

Resources with the WA DNR Fire agency (Central WA Comm Center) were dispatched today at 1502 hours, with IC Battalion 71 with wildcad.net reporting the fire has now burned up to 75 acres. No word on the current % of the containment status.

(c) 2025 NW FIRE BLOG