In brief: Pedestrian killed on East Sprague

A pedestrian was killed Tuesday on East Sprague Avenue by a female driver who was later released.

Spokane police Officer Teresa Fuller said the male victim, who was not identified, was walking across East Sprague at 11 a.m. at the intersection of East Sprague and Sprague Way when he was struck by an eastbound sedan. The man was taken to an area hospital where he died.

Following the investigation at the scene, officers did not charge the driver because they could not determine that she did anything illegal, Fuller said.

Tribal powwow starts Thursday

The Spokane Tribal Pow Wow begins Thursday in Wellpinit on the Spokane Reservation.

The coronation of Spokane tribal royalty on Thursday will kick off the 97th annual event, which continues through Monday with traditional dancing, singing and drumming at the Wellpinit Fairgrounds.

The public is invited to the free event, which should not be confused with the Spokane Falls Northwest Indian Encampment and Powwow at Riverfront Park, which was canceled last weekend due to lack of funding.

Two homes saved after fire jumps line

Air tankers dropping retardant helped firefighters protect two homes from a wildfire that jumped the fire lines.

About 20 homes are threatened by the fire five miles west of Omak.

Fire spokesman Steve Harris says residents in two homes were advised to leave Tuesday afternoon, but the evacuation order was removed later in the day when crews had better control of the blaze.

About 150 firefighters were assigned to the fire, and state firefighting teams were en route.

Cooler temperatures helped firefighters gain ground on two other fires in Eastern Washington, and crews hoped to have them fully contained today. No structures have been lost.