Crime & Safety
Fire Major Wildfire Of 2018 Burning In Benton County
The 500-acre Les Blair fire is the first of the 2018 season, and has prompted a statewide response.
FINLEY, WA - The first major wildfire of the 2018 season is burning in Benton County east of Kennewick, and the state has mobilized resources to help fight the fire.
The Les Blair wildfire is burning across about 500 acres along the Columbia River. The fire broke out on Monday afternoon near train tracks, according to the Benton County Fire District. The state Fire Marshall's Office will send aircraft to help fight the fire.
The fire was about 80 percent contained as of Tuesday morning. Burning in a rural, hilly area, there were no injuries reported yet as a result of the fire.
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Wildfire season in Washington officially got underway in May, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.
Image via Shutterstock
Find out what's happening in Across Washingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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