Traffic along Highway 240 came to a standstill yesterday as a brush fire broke out behind Ben Franklin Transit in Richland. The fire broke out yesterday at about 12:30 PM and still continues to burn at the time of the writing of this article.

Benton County Fire District #4 posted this update on their Facebook concerning the continual burning of the fire:

 

Dispatchers have received several calls this evening from concerned citizens as the fire is more visible across the Tri-Cities with the sundown. Please note that the fire is under control. There are two fire crews assigned to fire watch duty throughout the night. The burn is operating as it should as it continues to consume vegetation and is expected to burn out naturally in the remaining burn zone. There is currently no threat to the public. Crews are monitoring wind and weather conditions. Please do not call dispatch. Thank you for your support of our crews!

All roads near the fire including Hwy 240 and Columbia Park Trail are operating as normal.

There is no word on what started the fire but investigations are still underway.

The fire is still burning but luckily no buildings or structures have been harmed by the fire.

We do have a smokey and gray haze over the Columbia Basin today because of it.

You can check out the photos below from the Benton County Fire District #4 showing how quickly the fire spread yesterday.

178588029_4186140004772292_8622501684788236467_n
loading...
177447584_10159356256842640_819885614132565876_n
loading...
177550940_10159356256782640_5984577117881100159_n
loading...
870 AM KFLD logo
Get our free mobile app

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

TIPS: Here's how you can prepare for power outages

More From 870 AM KFLD