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

Burning bud prompts call to fire department

What was thought to be a call for burning debris or yard waste turned out to be a little bit different recently for a crew with the Spokane Valley Fire Department.

Someone called in the fire in the 18000 block of East Euclid Avenue the morning of Dec. 3. The crew found two men next to a fire in a field, said department spokeswoman Melanie Rose.

“On closer inspection the pile they were burning was marijuana plants,” Rose said.

The men identified themselves as employees of Kouchlock Productions and said they were burning old harvested plants, Rose said.

“They were very apologetic,” she said. “They didn’t have any way to extinguish the fire so we helped them.”

Burning trash and yard debris – or marijuana plants – is illegal.

Other calls from

Nov. 23-Dec. 6

Nov. 23: A homeowner reported smoke in a home in the 1900 block of South Skipworth Road shortly after power had been restored. Crews found a melted power strip.

Nov. 25: A fire broke out in a large shop in the 6500 block of North Idaho Road. The roof partially collapsed in the fire that was caused by a fireplace.

Nov. 26: Smoke was reported coming from an apartment at 16102 E. Broadway Ave. The apartment was unoccupied. Crews had to force their way in and found three burning candles. Hot wax had dripped onto flammable materials and started a fire.

A mobile home fire was reported in the 18700 block of East Marlin Drive. A 55-gallon drum being used as a burn barrel had been pushed up against the mobile home and started a fire. The mobile home and $80,000 in motorcycles stored inside were a total loss.

Nov. 27: Dryer lint started a small fire at Guardian Angel Homes at 23102 E. Mission in Liberty Lake.

Nov. 29: Crews performed a rope rescue in the 3200 block of North Rocky Hill Lane in Liberty Lake. A hunter fell in a crevice in steep terrain and was unable to get out. A homeowner in the area was able to use his truck to get crews and their equipment within 200 feet of the hunter. He was able to walk to a waiting ambulance after he was pulled out.

Dec. 1: A kitchen wall fire was reported in the 21100 block of East Gilbert Road. The fire was traced to an electrical meter on the outside of the home.

Dec. 3: A two-alarm fire broke out at Spokane Baptist Church at 12817 E. Broadway Ave. around 3 a.m. The back side and attic were heavily damaged and the building may be a total loss. The fire was caused by an electrical issue.

By the numbers: Crews responded to 678 calls in the two weeks from Nov. 23 to Dec. 6, including 506 calls for emergency medical services. Other responses included 51 car crashes, a 2-month-old locked inside a running car, a person stuck in an elevator and a car that damaged a natural gas meter at the home of a certified natural gas contractor.