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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Firestorm 1991

Twenty-four years ago wind-whipped wildfires took off and began to ravage several Eastern Washington counties. It took several days and multiple agencies to get nearly 100 fires contained in October 1991. By the end of what became known as “firestorm,” one person was dead and more than 100 homes had been burned to the ground.

Section:Picture story

By the end of what became known as “firestorm,” one person was dead and more than 100 homes had been burned to the ground. Kit King photo.

Kit King The Spokesman-Review

Firestorm

During Firestorm in 1991, Ron Connell’s home in Ponderosa was destroyed by fire. A lone firefighter, realizing saving the burning house was futile, went in the front door, grabbed some family photos off the wall and laid them at the end of the walkway. ” I can’t save the house, this is all I can do,” said the fireman. Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo

Firestorm

Residents watch as firefighters evacuate Cirrus Drive near the Little Spokane River during the 1991 firestorm. The District 9 firefighters ran into a problem here because there weren’t enough fire hydrants. Shawn Jacobson photo.

Shawn Jacobson The Spokesman-Review

Firestorm

A Ponderosa area homeowner tries to save his house from the firestorm that swept through the Inland Northwest in October of 1991. Kit King photo/The Spokesman-Review

Kit King The Spokesman-Review

Firestorm

An exhausted Adam Kremin rests for a few moments Thursday, October 20, 1991 while fighting a flareup in the Ponderosa neighborhood. Kit King photo

Kit King The Spokesman-Review

Firestorm

Victims of Firestorm ‘91 received support from their friends and neighbors as they returned home to find ashes. Jenny Metta hugs Stephanie Hudson in the Ponderosa neighborhood. Kit King photo.

Kit King The Spokesman-Review

Firestorm

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