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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Valley Fire bans open burning

Brush fires have been popping up all over Spokane Valley, a concern in the current hot and dry conditions. The Spokane Valley Fire Department declared a burn ban Thursday for the areas it serves, which includes the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood.

Outdoor recreational fires are now banned. Backyard barbecues are allowed, as are outdoor fireplaces as long as they are fitted with a spark arrester and approved fuels such as briquettes or seasoned firewood are used.

Calls from July 10 to 16

July 10: A grass fire was reported in the median on Interstate 90 near the Port of Entry.

A brush fire was reported behind an apartment building at 2820 N. Cherry Road.

A vehicle fire spread to nearby grass and weeds in the 100 block of North Lakeside Road.

July 11: An improperly disposed of cigarette set a porch on fire in the 4700 block of North Sullivan Road.

A resident in the 18500 block of East Courtland Avenue was using a burn barrel, which has been illegal since 1978.

Burned food caused a small fire in the 9300 block of East Alki Avenue.

A small grass fire was reported in the 9900 block of East Garland Avenue.

July 12: Two 5-year-olds playing with a lighter set some attic insulation on fire in the 10600 block of East Eighth Avenue. Firefighters noticed filthy conditions inside the home and made a report to Child Protective Services.

Firefighters responded to Dishman-Mica Road and 19th Lane to assist police with a possible pipe bomb. The item turned out to be a flashlight.

A brush fire was reported at Dishman-Mica and 32nd Avenue.

July 14: An outdoor playhouse fire was reported in the 100 block of North Holliday Court. Investigators found obvious signs of an incendiary device.

A port-a-potty fire was reported at Greenacres Elementary School.

July 15: Two children were left inside a running car in the Winco parking lot on Sprague Avenue. The air conditioner was running, but firefighters educated the parents about laws against leaving children in vehicles.

July 16: Firefighters were called to the 4900 block of East Fourth Avenue after a piece of heavy equipment severed a natural gas line.

By the numbers: Firefighters responded to 298 calls from July 10-16, including 239 calls for emergency medical services. The responses included an illegal trash fire, a car fire, 12 car accidents, an elderly couple locked out of their home and two calls to assist Spokane County Fire District 8 with fires.