Columbia Park Trail/HWY 240 Fire Continues to Burn [PHOTOS]

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.

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