FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - MEDIA RELEASE
June 17, 2026

PREPARED BY: Assistant Fire Chief – Todd Dormaier

INCIDENT COMMANDER(s): Chief Dormaier/Lieutenant McGhan

ESTIMATED ACREAGE: 820.5 acres

CONTAINMENT: 85%

START DATE: 6/14/2026 @1225HRS

AREA OF FIRE: Benton County, North of the Yakima River, South of Old Inland Empire Hwy (OIE), East of Chandler Power Plant.

CAUSE: Under Investigation

STRUCTURES DAMAGED: (5) Primary Structures, (17) Outbuildings

INJURIES: (2) Firefighter (minor | treated/released), (0) Civilian

CLOSURES & EVACUATION LEVELS: Current Level 2 evacuations are still in place for the immediate fire area. An evacuation Level 2, “SET”, has been kept in place due to the “Red Flag Warning” covering the affected area, the continued wind and wind gusts, also as a result of continued hot spots in areas of very limited accessibility.

OVERVIEW: The OIE Fire was fueled by extremely dry fuels, wind, topography and limited access, in and out of drylands, crops, residential areas, and throughout areas considered to be wildland urban interface. Firefighters from: Benton County Fire District #1, Benton County Fire District #4, Benton County Fire District #5, Richland Fire Department, Kennewick Fire Department, Pasco Fire Department, Hanford Fire Department, Franklin County Fire District #4, Franklin County Fire District #5, and WADNR (Washington State Department of Natural Resources) all assisted with initial attack; West Benton Fire Rescue assisted with both initial and extended attack.

Aviation resources were requested via HB1498 at 1303 hrs (1:03pm) however, due to numerous other fires, no aviation was readily available; in total, (3) rotors were requested. At 1425 hrs (2:45pm) a single Type 2 rotor was allocated and arrived on scene. Due to the severity and complexity, in combination with the number of structures threatened, (2) LAT’s (Large Air Tankers) were ordered by Air Operations and were immediately put to work once on scene. These LAT’s are typically guided by lead planes however, due to the draw down of aviation resources, and the immediate need of retardant, Initial Attack certified air tankers were dispatched, and Air Operations guided the tankers into their targeted and prioritized locations. A second rotor arrived on scene however, shortly thereafter, (1) rotor and (1) LAT had to return to base due to mechanical issues; issues were not related to each other and were independent issues.

The remaining LAT on scene was requested to load and return with additional retardant loads. As fire progression exponentially grew, a VLAT (Very Large Air Tanker) was requested along with a Lead Plane and Air Attack. Air resources along with BCFD#2’s dozer operations, stopped forward progress of the main head of the fire at approximately 2045 hrs.

Prior to the region being exhausted of available units and due to other large local fires in the area, a Washington State Mobilization request was made sooner than normally requested; this request was made at approximately 1750 hrs (5:50pm). The request consisted of an immediate need of: (1) Strike Team for the night shift of 6/14/26, and an additional (2) Strike Teams for the days to follow, for day-time operations. This request and resource order was approved by the State Fire Marshal Office via the WSP at 1800hrs (6pm) 6/14/2026. Strike teams were allocated from Yakima Valley (immediate need – night shift), along with a strike team from Clark County and a strike team from Puget Sound. All (3) strike teams arrived ahead of schedule and were very effective in suppression and mop-up operations. As a result of initial attack, extended attack, and efforts of all strike teams, the original foot print of the OIE fire never broke it’s perimeter and acreage as not increased since 6/14/2026.

RESOURCES (approximately 160 personnel at the peak of suppression efforts):

• (12) Overhead Personnel
• (1) Dozer
• (11) Structural Firefighting Apparatuses
• (27) Wildland Firefighting Apparatuses
• (10) Water Tenders
• (3) Medic Units
• (1) Rehab
• (3) Helitack Personnel

At the peak of aviation assets, on scene:

• (1) Lead,
• (1) Air Attack,
• (2) LAT’s,
• (1) VLAT
• (3) Rotors:
  • (2) Type 1
  • (1) Type 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE
December 26th, 2025

Assistant Chief Todd Dormaier
Benton County Fire District #2
asstfirechief@benton2.org

BCFD#2 is Sending Drivers Digital Alerts Through Safety Cloud, to Improve Road Safety

Benton County, WA - In an effort to enhance road safety and protect first responders and roadway workers, Benton County Fire District #2 has been integrated HAAS Alert's Safety Cloud® digital alerting into their vehicles. This collision prevention service enables the delivery of real-time alerts to Washington drivers when emergency services are active in the vicinity.

Safety Cloud boosts driver compliance with Move Over laws by dispatching real-time notifications when responders are enroute or on-scene. This digital solution effectively enhances lightbars and sirens with additional in-vehicle notification, thereby minimizing the likelihood of collisions with responders.

Safety Cloud's digital alerting delivers immediate warnings to drivers of the proximity of emergency vehicles or road workers. This preemptive measure is proven to significantly reduce collision risks by up to 90%, safeguarding both first responders and the motoring public.

Despite Washington Move Over laws necessitating drivers to decelerate and change lanes when approaching active emergency vehicles, delayed or non-compliant reactions persist. Safety Cloud addresses this issue by providing up to 30 seconds of preemptive warning, facilitating safer responses.

The alerts are accessible via the Waze navigation app and Apple Maps, compatible with mobile devices and integrated into the dashboard of many modern vehicles. Safety Cloud alerts are also available on the infotainment screens of millions of vehicles, specifically 2024 and newer models of Volkswagen vehicles and 2018 and newer models of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram through the EVAS (Emergency Vehicle Alert System) feature. HAAS Alert is actively working on broadening the alerts to more platforms and vehicles.

"Adopting Safety Cloud adds a layer of protection for our crew, facilitating their operations with enhanced safety," expressed Assistant Chief Todd Dormaier. "By providing drivers with additional time to respond appropriately, this service establishes a safer environment for both our crew and surrounding motorists. We strongly recommend drivers utilize Waze and Apple Maps, both free-to-use apps, to benefit from these vital road safety alerts."

For more information about HAAS Alert, visit www.haasalert.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE
November 20th, 2025

Assistant Chief Dormaier
Benton County Fire District #2
asstfirechief@benton2.org

Ki-Be High School CSF  11/20/25

Kibe High School – Commercial Structure Fire

Benton City, WA. (November 20th, 2025) – Benton County Fire District #2 was dispatched to the Kibe High School, located at 1205 Horne Dr., for a Possible Commercial Structure Fire at 1049hrs. Due to the 911 caller reports and details, the call was upgraded to a Commercial Structure Fire (CSF) by Dispatchers at SECOMM, and additional response balances of such an incident were dispatched.

On arrival, fire crews had heavy smoke showing, with fire present from an industrial unit attached to a secondary building that is separate from the main building of the high school. School district personnel were making attempts to extinguish the fire using dry chemical extinguishers, while other school district personnel were instructed to get the students completely cleared out from the building. The structure involved houses, both wood & metal shop/classrooms; no other structures were exposed, threatened, nor damaged.

Crews made an aggressive exterior attack while also simultaneously making entry to the interior portions of the commercial structure. Interior crews found heavy smoke conditions inside the structure and made use of positive pressurization of the building, to prevent extension of the fire into the interior portions of the building, as fire was present inside the ducts of the dust collection system; built similar to that of an HVAC system. Primary and secondary searches of the entire building were conducted to confirm that it was not occupied by any students nor school staff. The fire was marked under control at 1131hrs.

Upon completion of fire attack, salvage, and overhaul, the investigation found that an ember from a CNC machine, while cutting/engraving wood, was lodged into the dust collection system, causing a fire in the exterior filter/collection unit, which then allowed fire to progress and travel back through the entire ductwork of the system.

No civilian, nor fire casualties/injuries were reported. Classes at the high school remained “normal” while under a modified lockdown; fire in the building being the root cause of the modified lockdown.

Fire crews were dispatched from a standard CSF run card to include mutual-aid, and automatic-aid from: Benton County Fire District #4, West Benton Fire Rescue, & Richland Fire Department. We were also assisted by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, along with a medic unit from Prosser Memorial Hospital.

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June 13, 2023                                                                                        

Public Information Officer
509-588-3211
PIO@benton2.org

Yakitat Road Fire

Benton City, WA - At approximately 1447HRS Fire District 2 was dispatched to the reports of a Natural Cover Fire in the area of I82 and Yakitat Road. Realizing the area’s history, a red flag warning, as well as recent dry weather; almost immediately more resources were requested from our regional mutual aid resources.  

At approximately 1600HRS a state mobilization was requested, and approved, bringing statewide resources into our area.

Significant early use of air resources including large air tankers, very large air tankers, and helicopters provided structural protection in the immediate area of the fire.

There have been no reported losses of residences, or outbuildings.

There have been no reported injuries to civilians or fire personnel.

Currently, the fire is estimated to be several thousand acres, and no exact size is available at this time. The fire is estimated to be 50% contained.

You will continue to see smoke and fire throughout the night, and days to come.

Another press release is expected to be released at 1200hrs on June 14.

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June 14, 2023                                                                                        

Public Information Officer
509-588-3211
PIO@benton2.org

Yakitat Road Fire - Release #2

Benton City, WA – Currently the fire is estimated to be 7,000 acres and containment has also been estimated at 50%. The exact size is still unknown and will be until IR mapping is complete.

Overnight, the fire did not have much activity and cooler temperatures and less winds are expected throughout today.

State Mobilization resources consisting of approximately 5 strike teams and supervisory positions have been arriving to relieve Fire District resources.

At 0700HRS this morning the Southeast Washington All Hazard Incident Management Team assumed command of this fire, and further information will be released from the IMT. This fire has been made part of the “Benton Complex” consisting of the Red Mountain fire, Hover Park fire, and the Hansen Road Fire. The Hansen Road fire is the fire formally known as the “Yakitat Road Fire.”

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