Fire north of Indian Trail slows after tanker planes arrive

A determined effort by tanker planes dropping water and fire retardant has slowed the rapid advance of the Rutter Canyon Fire burning north of Indian Trail and east of Nine Mile Falls. The fire off Country Hills Lane was estimated at 120 acres at 8:30 p.m., said Spokane Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. “It was an incredibly fast moving fire and it’s still moving,” Schaeffer said. Level three evacuations in the area have been lifted and about 100 homes are under a level two evacuation warning, which means people should be prepared to leave if necessary. Rutter Parkway is closed between Indian Trail Road and Dorset Road. “It’s a box canyon,” said Department of Natural Resources spokesman Eric Keller. “We’re having difficulty getting crews in. It’s one way in and one way out, so it makes it very dangerous.” The area burning is also fairly rugged, said Schaeffer. “The terrain is horrible for people on foot,” he said. Crews are arriving from all over Spokane County and Kootenai County to assist Fire District 9 and DNR. The Red Cross has opened a shelter for evacuees at Nine Mile Elementary School, located at 10110 W. Charles Road.