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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

High Drive brush fire mostly contained

A brush fire that prompted road closures and voluntary evacuations from a South Hill neighborhood is mostly contained, authorities said. Firefighters battled the flames on a steep slope below High Drive in South Spokane that Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer says has grown to 40 acres. Crews tackled the fire from both the lower part of the slope, at Qualchan Golf Course, as well as from the top of the bluff on High Drive. Retardant also was being dropped by aircraft. Avista crews shut off power along High Drive to avoid flare-ups, Schaeffer said. The flames initially were spreading east but then began doubling back to the west over already-charred ground. Crews from the state Department of Natural Resources are working through some yards to get to the smoke. Schaeffer said requests are being made for additional state assistance.