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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Little Spokane River fire closes Painted Rocks trailhead

Knothead, the high point on a loop hike above the Little Spokane River, was charred by a spot fire on July 8, 2014. (Rich Landers)
Knothead, the high point on a loop hike above the Little Spokane River, was charred by a spot fire on July 8, 2014. (Rich Landers)

Update July 9 at 9:30 a.m.:  Spokane Parks and Recreation cancels Little Spokane River shuttle service for Saturday July 11 because of fire closures.

PARKS -- The wildfire in Riverside State Park above the Little Spokane River has forced the closure of the Painted Rocks trailhead and river access point. The Painted Rocks site is on Rutter Parkway downstream from the access near St. George's School.

The Little Spokane fire was at about 176 acres this afternoon and is not yet contained.

The so-called 231 Complex fires include the Little Spokane River fire, and a fire near Springdale with multiple suspicious ignitions that are being investigated since July 3.  (If you have a tip, call it in to the sheriff!)

The Lake Spokane Campground and boat launch remain closed because of the fire.  Area roads also are closed in the Little Spokane Fire area.



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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