KENNEWICK, WA — State firefighting resources have been mobilized to assist crews battling the Country Meadows Fire in Benton County near Kennewick as the blaze continues to grow and threaten homes and infrastructure.

According to the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, the fire started around 1:30 p.m. Saturday and had grown to an estimated 1,500 acres by Saturday evening. Officials said the fire is burning in grass and brush, with Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations in effect. The cause remains under investigation.

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized state fire mobilization at 5:15 p.m. Saturday at the request of Benton County Fire District 1 Chief Scott LoParco.

The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray has been activated at a Level 2 partial activation to help coordinate assistance. Two wildland strike teams have been ordered to support containment efforts, while State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are responding to the scene and coordinating additional resources.

Under Washington’s State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan, firefighting personnel and equipment from around the state can be deployed when local resources are overwhelmed by fires or other emergencies.