Five man-made brush fires reported

As the weather gets colder, the Spokane Valley Fire Department is seeing more man-made brush fires.

Most of the five reported from Nov. 1 to Nov. 7 were probably started by transients trying to keep warm, said Valley Fire spokesman Bill Clifford.

Other fires this week included the backside of a house that caught fire from a barbecue grill causing $5,000 in damage, and a minor fire at Yardley Tavern and Grill on Wednesday.

Other calls out of the 181 total for this week: 13 motor vehicle accidents, four people were sent to the hospital with minor to severe injuries; 12 fire alarms, mostly false alarms or burnt food; 138 EMS calls; two service calls and one hazardous materials call.