Helicopter, plane help contain fire

Wed., Aug. 16, 2006

From Staff Reports The Spokesman-Review

A wildland fire swelled to 15 acres and threatened eight homes south of Spokane on Tuesday before firefighters contained the blaze.

About 50 firefighters, one plane and one helicopter were called in to battle the fire, which broke out around 2 p.m. near East Smythe Road, off Highway 195, Department of Natural Resources spokesman Len Broderson said.

No structures were damaged, and there were no mandatory evacuations, he said.

A light wind blowing to the northeast started several smaller fires outside of the main blaze, including one fire that started half a mile away, he said.

Firefighters worked to contain those hot spots and draw a fire line around the main body.

Officials didn’t know what caused the fire.

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