Tri Cities Reporter

After a wildfire destroyed a critical rail trestle and bridge over the Yakima River in Benton County, the state of Washington is requesting an emergency declaration and assistance from the Federal Government (FEMA).

“I request that you declare a Major Disaster for the state of Washington as a result of severe drought and the extensive damages incurred by extreme fire behavior and straight-line winds beginning September 1 through September 19, 2020…In Benton County, a nearly 100-year-old railroad bridge was fully engulfed in flames and destroyed by one of the many rapidly moving wildfires. Firefighters were focused on saving lives and people’s homes and were not able to save the structure...which spanned the Yakima River. The historic bridge was used as a critical transportation corridor to ship agricultural products in the region," Gov. Jay Inslee wrote in a Oct. 8 letter to FEMA, NBC Right Now reported. 

The trestle and bridge that was damaged is often used to transport hauls from Yakima County to Benton County and vice versa. The damage is affecting many shippers in three Port Districts. 

"Products and cargo that are shipped over this rail trestle/bridge serve many industries in the area, including the dairy industry, the hop industry, the grape industry, feed for many livestock operations, as well many other agricultural and food growing, processing and/or shipping operations," NBC Right Now reported.