Benton County issues highest alert

Benton County warns against even thinking about starting a fire in the foreseeable future.

High fire danger declared for Benton County

Benton County residents are on high alert as the fire danger has been upgraded to “very high” until further notice, according to the latest Benton County news release. The announcement was made due to concerns about dry conditions and increased fire danger in our area, demonstrating the need for strict fire restrictions and safety protocols throughout the region.

The Benton Clean Air Agency has stressed that no residential burning is permitted within city limits and adjacent areas, regardless of specific restrictions listed in the Fire Hazard Table. This precaution is critical due to environmental factors that can rapidly increase the risk of fire spread.

It is currently mandatory for anyone planning to start a fire to call the designated hotline before starting a fire. Residents must call 509-783-6198 for residential fire burning and 509-783-6570 for farm fire burning to ensure they are complying with current regulations. Energy Release Values ​​(ERC), calculated for Fuel Model T and Fire Hazard Adjective Class, show the severity of the current fire risk. Benton County is now classified as “very high,” and authorities warn that fires can start easily and spread very quickly, creating significant difficulties in extinguishing them.

Current conditions in Benton County pose a high fire risk

Under these conditions, even controlled fires pose great risks, which is why almost all fires are prohibited. The fire danger classification classifies the current situation as “very high,” meaning that fires can be ignited from a variety of sources and spread faster than firefighters can respond. Great lengths of flame are expected, and the intense heat makes containment measures extremely difficult and time-consuming, if not impossible. These restrictions are critical to prevent accidental fire outbreaks that could quickly develop into large-scale emergencies, especially during times of extreme fire danger such as we are currently experiencing.

For more information or clarification on current fire restrictions in our area, residents are asked to contact the Benton Clean Air Agency at 509-783-1304. In addition, please report any signs of smoke or fire immediately by calling emergency services at 911.