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A large fire at Tri-City Pallets in Pasco is sending a plume of smoke up that is visible from south Kennewick on Monday.

Firefighters have responded to what they are saying is a pallet fire at 335 E. B Circle in Pasco, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter, by the Pasco Fire Department.

Details about the size and extent of the fire are not available. The location is the home of Tri-City Pallets, which has large stacks of wooden pallets outside.

11:45 a.m.

Fire crews are working to manage fires that have cropped up on both sides of Highway 12, traffic will be impacted.

11 a.m.

Crews are still battling the pallet fire at Tri-City Pallets.

The business is between an Amazon warehouse on the east side of Road 40 and Highway 12. The Amazon warehouse is not yet open, and does not appear to be at risk.

9:45 a.m.

A wildland strike team is being staged near the fire after reports of the fire sending burning embers into nearby grass and brush.

Firefighters have also struggled to get water to the fire after hydrants in the area started to fail to have enough pressure to support fighting the fire. They have asked for water tenders to come in and help supply water.

The Washington State Patrol is being asked to clear away a large line of onlookers on Highway 12.

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A large fire at Tri-City Pallet in Pasco is sending a plume of smoke up that is visible from south Kennewick on Monday.

Firefighters have responded to what they are saying is a pallet fire at 335 E. B Circle in Pasco, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter, by the Pasco Fire Department.

Details about the size and extent of the fire is not available. The location is the home of Tri-City Pallets, which has large stacks of wooden pallets outside.

The fire is spreading through burning embers through the area. People are asked to avoid the location. They are also being asked not to pull over on Highway 12 to look at the fire, as it is beginning to back up traffic.

Flames were visible from as far away as Kennewick and Burbank.

The fire is expected to take a while to put out, Pasco fire said.

Weekend fires

Fire crews across the region also battled several other large fires over the weekend as roller-coaster temperature changes drastically increased the area’s fire danger.

Most of Eastern Washington, including the Tri-Cities was under a red flag fire warning with strong wind gusts.

Wildland engines and a water tender from Franklin County Fire District 3 assisted Franklin County Fire District 5 with a 15-acre wildland fire off Elm Road, about five miles east of Highway 395 on Friday, according to Franklin FD 3. Franklin County Fire District 1 also assisted.

The fire was contained by Friday afternoon, but old hay at the center of the fire is expected to continue to smoke for several days.

On Sunday Benton County Fire District 1 battled a large haystack fire near Nine Canyon Road.

When crews arrives around 3 p.m., they found one haystack fully engulfed and strong winds spread the fire to two other stacks, according to Benton FD 1.

Crews remained on the scene throughout the day to watch for flare ups.

The fire district said rain after hot days can cause freshly cut wet hay to combust. They recommend home owners treat grass clippings the same way, and keep it at least 10 feet away from any structures.