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

Fire roundup: Spokane Valley firefighters contain fire near Mirabeau Park

Spokane Valley firefighters responded to several calls July 9 through Monday involving unauthorized burning, vehicle collisions and a brush fire near Mirabeau Park.

Firefighters responded to a call reporting a brush fire around 10:30 a.m. July 13, which was burning in a forest area north of the Granite Point Apartments on the 12900 block of East Mansfield Avenue. When crews arrived at the scene, they observed heavy smoke in the trees located in a fenced area.

Crews worked with the Department of Natural Resources, the Spokane Fire Department and Spokane County Fire District 8 to establish a containment line around the fire.

A total of 15 apparatuses responded to the fire, and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office assisted with clearing people out of the natural area near the brush fire, which burned 2 to 3 acres in the natural area with no reported damage to nearby structures.

One firefighter was transported to the hospital for a heat-related illness.

Other calls July 9-15

July 12: Crews responded to the Spokane Indians Avista Stadium about 7:15 p.m. for a report of a fire in the women’s restroom near the third base. Upon arrival, crews observed ballpark employees on the roof of the building extinguishing the fire, which was determined to be electrical in nature. Damages were estimated at $6,000. The baseball game continued without interruption.

July 13: Firefighters responded to a vehicle lockout occurring at 3 p.m. on the 200 block of South Sullivan Road. A 3-year-old child was locked inside a parked car. Crews were able to unlock the vehicle quickly. The child appeared to be OK.

July 14: Crews about 11:45 a.m. responded to a multiple-car collision on the westbound Interstate 90 near Liberty Lake. A Ford Mustang was rear-ended by another car traveling at high speed. The Mustang was knocked into a cement barrier. The driver of the Mustang was wearing a seat belt, but experiencing some pain. He was transported to a hospital with injuries that weren’t life-threatening. Because the driver’s side door of the Mustang was crunched near the cement road divider, crews had to extricate the driver by removing the roof of the vehicle.

July 14: Firefighters responded to a call about 12:40 p.m. to a brush fire on the 5200 of North Fruithill Road by Arbor Crest Wine Cellars. A homeowner was mowing grass and ignited a fire that spread to an area that was 40 feet by 50 feet due to wind. There was a large response from fire crews, who prevented the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. A plane dropped water to extinguish the fire.

July 15: About 10 a.m., crews responded to a brush fire in Otis Orchards on the 6200 block of North Ormond Road. Crews observed a 100-foot-by-100 foot fire slowly moving in the grass. No structures were in danger. The property owner reported he was walking through the field and possibly dropped a cigarette behind him, which ignited the fire. He was unsuccessful in using a garden hose to put out the fire. Crews extinguished the fire.

By the numbers: The Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to 365 calls July 9-15, including 35 fire-related calls, 11 alarm system responses, 285 emergency medical service calls, three extrication calls, two water rescues, four hazardous material investigation calls, 21 motor vehicle collisions and four service calls.