Illegal burns draw response

The Spokane Valley Fire Department was kept busy during the two weeks from Oct. 13 to 26, but there were no major incidents or fires.

However, there were a few problems on days when the weather was nice. “Now that the burn ban is lifted, we’ve started to have issues with people burning up pine needles and all their summer debris, which is illegal,” said Fire Marshal Kevin Miller. “You can’t do that within the city limits.”

Burning yard debris is always illegal within the boundaries of the Spokane Valley Fire Department no matter what time of year it is, Miller said. Two such fires were reported on Oct. 17, before much of the recent rain.

• A motorcyclist received minor injuries in what could have been a serious accident in the 300 block of North Fancher Road on Oct. 20. The rider reported that he was blinded by the sun and nearly drove into the side of a slow moving train, Miller said. The rider realized what was happening at the last minute and laid his bike down. He received minor scrapes and bruises, Miller said.

Other calls from Oct. 13-26.

Oct. 14: A semitruck hit a power pole at Sprague Avenue and Dearborn around 7:30 p.m., causing the electrical wires to dangle just above the street. The truck left the scene.

Oct. 18: Wood stove ashes placed outside ignited a pile of pine needles in the 1000 block of South McKinzie. The flames spread to cover an area 15 feet by 20 feet.

• Someone using a backhoe dug up a natural gas line in the 24100 block of East Dreamwood Circle.

• A large diesel spill was reported on Interstate 90 near the Argonne exit.

Oct. 19: A woman’s smoke alarm sounded when smoke from her neighbor’s barbecue wafted in her open windows in the 12200 block of East Fourth Avenue.

Oct. 23: A car involved in an accident at 28th Avenue and Pierce Road hopped the curb and hit the side of a house.

Oct. 24: A man was using alcohol to clean the inside of a 25-foot-trailer in the 26800 block of East Sanson. He was also using a space heater, and the alcohol caught fire, burning the trailer.

• An overheated heating unit caused the partial evacuation of the Sunshine Gardens retirement center.

• An electrical wire inside a water heater malfunctioned and started a small fire at the Ramada Inn on Sullivan Road.

Oct. 25: A water main break was reported at Sprague Avenue and University Road. Water was coming up through the sidewalk.

By the numbers: Firefighters responded to 487 calls from Oct. 13-26, including 400 emergency medical services calls. The calls also included 22 car accidents.