Quick Response Saves Homes From Fire

A wildfire Tuesday charred 3 acres of grass and timber in northwest Spokane, about a half-mile from expensive homes.

Fire crews from Spokane County, the city of Spokane and state Department of Natural Resources had the blaze under control by 5 p.m., less than an hour after it was reported.

The fire started just north of Indian Trail Road and Rutter Parkway.

No buildings were damaged, and fire officials have not yet determined the cause.

The key to containing the fire was a quick response, according to Lt. Doug Bleeker of Spokane County Fire District 9.

“We’ve got potential for a really ugly wildfire season,” Bleeker said, blaming a prolonged dry spell and ample fuel on the ground in the form of downed trees and limbs from last year’s ice storm.

“Nobody is screwing around,” he said. “We don’t want anything getting away from us. The ugliest part of the season is yet to come.”

Tuesday’s blaze was about two miles from the site of an Aug. 7 arson fire that scorched 17 acres on Five Mile Prairie near Strong Road.

Investigators would not speculate on whether the fires are connected.

, DataTimes