WSP Enforces Safety During Water Follies, Fire Mobilizes

Legacy automated check: the original source text was not preserved. These earlier verdicts have not passed the current publication checks and may contain errors. Source: original document ↗

• ✓
  Washington State Patrol will conduct high-visibility enforcement patrols July 24-26“The Washington State Patrol (WSP) will be conducting high visibility enforcement patrols (HVEP) throughout Water Follies weekend, July 24th through July 26th, 2026.”
• ✓
  The enforcement patrols are during Water Follies weekend in Benton and Franklin counties“The Washington State Patrol (WSP) will be conducting high visibility enforcement patrols (HVEP) throughout Water Follies weekend, July 24th through July 26th, 2026. The HVEP will focus on speeding, impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and seat belt compliance. WSP Aviation, motorcycle troopers and unmarked patrol vehicles will provide additional enforcement throughout Benton and Franklin counties due to the large crowds and increased traffic around Columbia Park.”
• ✓
  The patrols will focus on speeding“The HVE will focus on speeding, impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and seat belt compliance.”
• ✓
  The patrols will focus on impaired driving“The HVE will focus on speeding, impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and seat belt compliance.”
• ✓
  The patrols will focus on seat belt compliance“The HVE will focus on speeding, impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and seat belt compliance.”
• ✓
  The patrols will include WSP Aviation“WSP Aviation, motorcycle troopers and unmarked patrol vehicles will provide additional enforcement throughout Benton and Franklin counties due to the large crowds and increased traffic around Columbia Park.”
• ✓
  The patrols will include motorcycle troopers“WSP Aviation, motorcycle troopers and unmarked patrol vehicles will provide additional enforcement throughout Benton and Franklin counties due to the large crowds and increased traffic around Columbia Park.”
• ⚠
  The patrols will include unmarked vehiclesNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
• ✓
  Lane closures will be on SR-240 from 4-6 p.m. on July 25-26“The main entrance from westbound SR-240 to Columbia Park will have one lane closed from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, to help safely manage event traffic and pedestrians.”
• ✓
  The lane closures are to manage event traffic“The main entrance from westbound SR-240 to Columbia Park will have one lane closed from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, to help safely manage event traffic and pedestrians.”
• ✓
  A similar closure pattern was used in previous years“These are the same closures the WSP and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) have conducted in previous years during Water Follies.”
• ✓
  State fire resources have been mobilized for the Railroad Fire“State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Railroad Fire located in Grant County, near Beverly and Schwana.”
• ✓
  The Railroad Fire began July 22 near Beverly and Schwana“The Railroad Fire started on July 22, 2026, at approximately 11:00 p.m. This fire is estimated at 750 acres and growing. It is burning in grass and sage, and is threatening homes, crops, and Grant County Public Utilities District.”
• ✓
  The fire is estimated at 750 acres“This fire is estimated at 750 acres and growing.”
• ✓
  The fire is threatening homes and crops“It is burning in grass and sage, and is threatening homes, crops, and Grant County Public Utilities District.”
• ✓
  Level 1 and Level 3 evacuations are in effect“Level 1 and Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time.”
• ✓
  Five wildland strike teams are being deployed to contain the fire“Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered five wildland strike teams, air attack, two Type 2 helicopters, and four multi-engine scoopers to aid in containment efforts.”
• ⚠
  Aircraft are being deployed to contain the fireNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.