Locust Grove Fire: Fast-Moving Blaze Sparks 'Go Now' Evacuations Near Kennewick | Watch

The rapidly expanding Locust Grove Fire near Kennewick in Washington state’s Tri-Cities region has triggered Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders as firefighters work to contain the vegetation blaze.

A fast-moving vegetation fire burning near Kennewick in Washington state’s Tri-Cities region has prompted Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders as firefighters race to prevent the flames from reaching nearby neighbourhoods. The Locust Grove Fire, which according to WatchDuty, had grown to an estimated 20 acres by Thursday, has triggered a large-scale emergency response, with additional wildland strike teams being mobilised as the blaze continued to spread.

Authorities have urged residents in the affected areas to evacuate immediately while crews work to contain the fire under challenging conditions. For now, the focus remain on stopping the fire from threatening homes and other structures south of the Tri-Cities. Incident commanders expanded the firefighting effort after requesting additional wildland strike teams, including a third strike team as the fire intensified.

Authorities issued Level 3 evacuation orders, the highest level in Washington’s emergency alert system, for residents living closest to the advancing fire. An emergency notification warned that a brush fire near South Olympia Street and West 45th Avenue in Kennewick had prompted immediate evacuation measures, with police officers and firefighters actively working to contain the flames. Residents living around West 50th Avenue and areas further south were instructed to leave without delay.

Emergency officials also appealed to the wider community to help spread the warning. Residents were urged to contact friends, relatives or neighbours who might still be inside the evacuation zone to ensure they received the evacuation notice. Authorities have not reported any injuries or structural damage, but the situation remains fluid as crews continue monitoring the fire’s movement.

The expanding wildfire response reflects growing concerns about the fire’s potential to spread into residential areas. Incident commanders requested additional wildland strike teams to strengthen containment efforts, with firefighters working to establish control lines and protect properties lying in the fire’s projected path. The deployment of multiple strike teams indicates that officials are treating the incident as a significant wildland fire requiring reinforced resources.

The response includes local fire departments supported by specialised wildfire personnel as emergency agencies continue assessing conditions on the ground. Firefighters are expected to remain engaged throughout the day while monitoring weather conditions, wind shifts and fire behaviour that could influence further spread.

As emergency operations continued, residents across the Tri-Cities region described seeing large flames and thick smoke rising from the Locust Grove Fire. Social media posts from West Pasco and surrounding communities showed the fire growing noticeably within minutes, highlighting the speed at which conditions were changing. One resident shared a series of photographs on Facebook showing how the blaze expanded over a span of just 15 minutes.

Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid the affected area while firefighting operations remain underway. With evacuation orders still in effect and additional resources arriving at the scene, officials are expected to provide further updates as crews work to bring the Locust Grove Fire under control.

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