‘Flagrant’ violations of burn ban reported
The Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to a couple “flagrant” violations of the burn ban recently, said department spokeswoman Melanie Rose.
All open burning, including campfires, is banned in Spokane Valley and the surrounding area because of dry conditions.
On Aug. 21, firefighters were called to a home in the 16700 block of East Heroy. “The resident was burning yard waste and construction material in a 10-foot wide steel fire pit,” said Rose. “Near the scene was a 5 gallon propane cylinder with a burn wand.”
The winds were high that day, Rose said. The man’s information was given to the Clean Air Agency for enforcement. “Fines can go up to $10,000,” Rose said.
The next day, on Aug. 22, firefighters responded to East Riverway Lane near Barker Road on a report of a man using a blowtorch to burn weeds. The man admitted doing it and said he didn’t know he was doing anything wrong, Rose said.
“We advised him of the burn ban and the extremely dry conditions,” she said.
Other calls from Aug. 17-23
Aug. 17: A warehouse fire was reported at 9310 W. First Ave. A plastic container used to hold discarded cigarettes started a fire next to the front door.
Aug. 20: A grass fire approximately 30 feet by 40 feet was reported behind a duplex in the 13100 block of East 10th Avenue. Houses were threatened and crews found neighbors fighting the fire with garden hoses when they arrived.
A semi involved in a collision in the 9600 block of East Trent was reported to be leaking diesel fuel. No one was injured, but it took hours to clean up the mess.
Firefighters used their ladders to climb in a second-story window at an apartment building in the 12700 block of East Third Avenue after a woman accidentally locked herself out. The crew found her 2-year-old son sitting on the couch watching television.
Aug. 21: A camper fire was reported in the 1100 block of North Ella Road. The pickup truck style camper was fully aflame when crews arrived and had spread to nearby trees. The fire was caused by children playing with matches.
Aug. 22: A woman and dog were injured in a fire at 801 N. University Road. Both later died of their injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
By the numbers: Firefighters responded to 299 calls from Aug. 17-23, including 204 calls for emergency medical services. Other calls included 23 car accidents and several calls for unusual odors.