A fast-moving wildfire ignited Friday, June 26, in eastern Klickitat County, Washington, rapidly burning through dry grass, sagebrush, and rangeland in the Horse Heaven Hills. The fire — known as both the Peterson Fire and the Alderdale Fire — grew to an estimated 4,200 acres driven by gusty southwest winds sustained at 25 to 35 mph.
Evacuations Issued and Lifted
Klickitat County Emergency Management issued Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders for residents in the area of Peterson Road and Alderdale Road on Friday afternoon as the fire spread rapidly. Those orders prompted immediate departures from the rural, ranching community along the Columbia River corridor.
By the evening of June 26, Klickitat County officials announced that all evacuation notifications tied to the Peterson Fire had been rescinded. No structures were reported destroyed, and fire crews made significant progress on containment through overnight operations. As of this report, no structures remain threatened.
Smoke Hammers the Tri-Cities
While the immediate threat to residents has passed, the fire's smoke plume created hazardous air quality conditions across a wide area. The National Weather Service in Pendleton confirmed that a smoke plume from the Alderdale Fire was carried northeast by south-southwest winds directly into the Tri-Cities metropolitan area — including Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco.
Franklin County Fire District 3 warned residents that smoke combined with blowing dust kicked up by 20 to 30 mph winds created "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" conditions in Kennewick and surrounding communities. Residents with respiratory conditions, the elderly, children, and those engaged in outdoor activity were urged to limit exposure and keep windows closed.
Cause and Response
The cause of the Peterson Fire remains under investigation. Multiple agencies responded, including Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) crews, local fire departments, and Bureau of Land Management resources. The fire's rapid early spread highlighted how unusually dry and windy early summer conditions in the Columbia Basin can transition rangeland fires into major incidents within hours.
Horse Heaven Hills Context
The Horse Heaven Hills region of eastern Klickitat County is classic fire country — rolling hills covered in annual grasses and sagebrush, with scarce road access and significant wind exposure. The area sees nearly annual fire starts, and the combination of cured grass fuels and powerful westerly winds creates the conditions for rapid spread events each June and July.
Residents throughout eastern Klickitat County are encouraged to maintain defensible space, have a go-bag ready, and register with Klickitat County Emergency Management for emergency alerts. Sign up for Washington Emergency Management alerts at readywa.gov.