High Winds, Lightning Spark Two Timber Fires Storm Gusted Into Spokane With 40 Mph Winds

Thu., July 18, 1996

Gita Sitaramiah Staff writer

A storm that rolled into Spokane packing lightning and high winds sparked at least two timber fires Wednesday night.

The National Weather Service reported wind gusts up to 40 mph throughout Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

The weather service expected the winds to weaken and be replaced by rain late Wednesday.

No power outages or injuries were reported.

Firefighters had a difficult time reaching a small fire in dense woods near Newman Lake about 7:30 p.m., a Fire District 9 dispatcher said.

Witnesses told authorities they saw lightning strike the area - a ridge north of Muzzy Bay. The blaze appeared under control two hours later.

Washington Department of Natural Resources firefighters contained a 20-acre timber fire caused by the storm near Spangle by dropping water from air tankers about 6 p.m.

Today’s forecast calls for cooler temperatures with highs in the 60s and scattered showers.

, DataTimes

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