Benton County – State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Second Street Fire located in Benton County, near Benton City. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on September 25, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. at the request of Deputy Fire Chief Dan Drayton, Benton County Fire District 4.
The Second Street Fire started on September 25, 2026, at approximately 2:40 p.m. This fire is estimated at 800 acres and growing. It is burning in grass, brush, and urban forested areas and is threatening homes, infrastructure, and Interstate 84. Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time. The fire cause is currently under investigation.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 1, full activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the Second Street Fire. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered six wildland strike teams to aid in containment efforts. State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are both en route and working remotely to coordinate the dispatch of resources.
Under the State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan, the Fire Protection Bureau coordinates the initial dispatch and continued administrative oversight of resources and personnel for the duration of the mobilization. The Mobilization Plan is implemented to provide a process to quickly notify, assemble and deploy fire service personnel, equipment, and other resources from around the state when fires, disasters or other events exceed the capacity of local jurisdictions. More information about the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan is available at http://www.wsp.wa.gov/all-risk-mobilization/.