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

Fire roundup: Cigarette-caused fires keep crews busy

Fourth of July fireworks didn’t play a big role in fires in the Spokane Valley area this year, but discarded cigarettes have been an issue, said Melanie Rose, Spokane Valley Fire Department spokeswoman.

Several fires have been reported in the Dishman Hills Natural Area recently and all were caused by either cigarettes or transient campfires, Rose said. “Hikers who are smoking, please discard your cigarettes appropriately,” Rose said.

A burn ban is in place, which does not allow campfires, fire pits or outside fires of any kind. But in the two weeks of June 29 to July 12 the department responded to nearly 30 illegal fires and 25 brush fires, Rose said.

Other calls from June 29 to July 12

July 29: An overheated motor in a laundry room fan caught fire in the 23200 block of East Sinto Avenue. A resident suffered minor hand burns while trying to put the fire out.

July 3: Firefighters assisted Spokane County Fire District 8 and several other agencies with a brush fire in steep terrain in the area of 15100 S. Valley Chapel Road.

July 4: Crews were called to a report of a Comcast van over a steep embankment in the 6700 block of East Heacox Avenue, which runs along the north edge of the gravel pit near the I-90 Broadway exit. The van was caught up on several trees, which were bent over and touching the water in the pit. The driver could not climb the steep slope and had to be pulled up using ropes.

July 7: A smoking breaker box was reported in the 9500 block of East Shannon Avenue. There was no fire but the box was hot. The homeowner was advised to call an electrician.

July 9: Bark ground cover was reported on fire in the 23000 block of East Joseph Avenue. The fire was out when crews arrived.

July 12: Crews were called to extricate an unconscious driver from a car that took out 50 feet of fence, sheared off a power pole and hit a tree before running into a house in the 11500 block of East 30th Avenue. The driver sustained critical injuries.

By the numbers: Crews responded to 644 calls from June 29 to July 12, including 468 calls for emergency medical services. The responses included 45 vehicle accidents, a hydraulic fuel line fire, children locked inside cars, an elderly man locked out of his apartment and four children stuck in an elevator.