Spokane Valley fire roundup: Crews respond to unauthorized burning calls
The Spokane Valley Fire Department during the week of Jan. 29 to Feb. 4 responded to several calls involving a small fire in a chicken coop, unauthorized burning and a report of lit fireworks in Millwood Park.
Fire crews on Jan. 31 around 2:20 p.m. responded to an unauthorized burning call in the 300 block of South Steen Road. When firefighters arrived, they observed light smoke coming from behind a trailer enclosed by a fence with several animals. They discovered an unattended fire burning 10 feet from the trailer. Fire crews yelled to get the attention of the occupant, who emerged from the trailer and said he was burning sticks from a tree. Crews observed two piles of scrap wood along with construction debris. They notified the occupant that unauthorized burning of yard debris is not permitted.
Fire crews responded to another unauthorized burning call occurring earlier that same day at 12:30 p.m. on the 800 block of South Woodruff Road. A resident was tending to a burning pile of yard debris, which was mostly pine needles. Because the resident didn’t have a water hose to put out the fire, crews used a water can to extinguish the fire and advised the resident that unauthorized burning is not allowed.
Firefighters on Feb. 4 around 7:30 p.m. were called to Millwood Park for a report of a fire. Upon arrival, investigators noticed a 30-inch area of the park that was burned with several fireworks, sparklers and flares stacked up in a pile. The scent of gasoline was noticeable on the ground and in the area, but investigators were unable to locate a suspect. Investigators collected the burned debris, extinguished the fire and classified the cause as incendiary.
Other calls Jan. 29 to Feb. 4
Jan 29: Crews responded to a call at 6:20 a.m. on the 1300 block of South Bettman Road by a resident who reported a strange odor. Crews found the smell consistent of a skunk in the area.
Jan. 30: Crews responded to a two-vehicle collision in a right-hand turn lane near I-90 heading southbound on Sullivan Road just before 2 p.m. A couple in one vehicle reported minor injuries and a 25-year-old woman in the second vehicle was transported to the hospital for minor injuries.
Feb. 2: Crews responded to a call around 2 p.m. on the 16700 block of East 32nd Avenue, which is on the border of the Fire District 8 service area. District 8 firefighters were already on the scene when fire crews arrived to assist extinguishing a small fire in a chicken coop. Crews helped ventilate the smoke and ensured the fire was fully extinguished.
Feb. 3: A duct cleaning company around 1:30 p.m. reported an alarm signal at the 17700 block of East Sprague Avenue. An employee was cleaning the air ducts and said a rag dropped onto the furnace and smoldered, causing an alert on the alarm system. A fire was not reported.
Feb. 3: An automobile and motorcycle collision was reported around 2:30 p.m. near the intersection of Sprague Avenue and Sullivan Road. A 31-year-old man – who was the motorcyclist – was on the ground when fire crews arrived to the scene. Crews assisted the American Medical Response ambulance service by blocking off traffic lanes with their fire truck to secure the scene. The man was transported to the hospital with a leg injury.
By the numbers: Fire crews during the week of Jan. 29 to Feb. 4 responded to 298 calls, including 15 fire-related calls, 12 alarm system response calls, 236 emergency medical service calls, four hazardous materials calls, 29 motor vehicle accident calls and two service calls.