Spokane Valley Fire roundup: Department sees sharp increase in illegal burning
With more people staying home and doing yard work and clean-up projects, the number of illegal fires has risen sharply in the area served by the Spokane Valley Fire Department recently. The numbers have been driven in large part by people burning yard waste, garbage and construction debris, all of which are illegal. Using a burn barrel is also illegal.
So far this year the department has responded to 48 illegal fires, up sharply from the 12 reported in the same time frame in 2019, said department spokeswoman Julie Happy. There were only seven illegal fires reported in that time frame in 2018.
A homeowner was burning yard waste in the backyard of a home in the 14000 block of East Terra Verde Court around 6:30 p.m. on April 13. A similar call came in about a home in the area of 17th Avenue between Skipworth and Pierce just after noon on April 14.
A fire burning in the backyard of a home under construction on South Union Road just after 4 p.m. on April 14 included construction debris, yard waste, cardboard and firewood in a fire pit. The person on site was told that only the firewood was allowable.
Neighbors reported a fire at a home in the area of Girard Road and Park Road around 6:20 p.m. on April 16. The homeowner had cut down a tree and was burning it in a burn barrel. He put the fire out when he was told it was illegal.
A slash pile fire was reported in the 13000 block of East Heroy Avenue at 7 p.m. on April 17. Crews found a 5-foot by 5-foot pile of construction debris on fire. The person at the site was told to put the fire out.
An abandoned bonfire was reported in the area of Lakeside Road and MacKenzie Beach Lane at 11 a.m. on April 19. Crews found a smoldering stump with fire deep in the root system and signs of other nearby burn piles. There was a shovel, rake, matches and a bucket of water near the stump but no people were seen. The fire was put out and the matches confiscated.
Other calls, April 20-26
April 13: An alarm was heard sounding in a home in the 13000 block of East Third Avenue at 9 a.m. No one was home, but firefighters were able to get inside through an unlocked window. There was no fire, and the smoke detectors appeared to be malfunctioning. Crews removed them and left behind new smoke detectors and a note. A two-car rollover accident was reported in the 3400 block of North Pines around 2:45 p.m. Both drivers refused medical treatment.
April 15: A man called to report that he was locked out of his apartment in the 6800 block of East Second Avenue at 1:16 p.m. He provided proof that he lived in the apartment. A locksmith was called to unlock the apartment. His fee was paid for by the firefighter Benevolent Fund. Several people called just before 10 p.m. to report a dumpster fire right next to the Super 8 Motel on Mullan Road. Crews found flames shooting out the top of the dumpster when they arrived. The fire was put out.
April 17: A bystander reported that a man lit a fire in the front yard of an elderly couple’s home around 6:35 p.m. on East 11th Avenue. The bystander took pictures. The information was passed on to police, who arrested the man. The small fire was put out by firefighters.
April 18: A member of the department was put on standby with the Rescue Task Force for a SWAT team call. The Incident Command Post was at the Slavic Christian Church. The Rescue Task Force was not needed for the call.
April 19: Bystanders reported several small smoldering fires in the area of 13504 E. Mirabeau Parkway at 6:43 p.m. Crews located and extinguished the fires.
April 19: A brush fire was reported at 2800 N. Mirabeau Parkway just before 10 p.m. Crews found a 20-foot by 20-foot fire near the Centennial Trail that was producing a column of smoke. Crews dug hand lines and put water on the fire until it was out. A neighbor reported seeing blue flames in the backyard of a home in the area of Best Road and Springfield just before 10:30 p.m. When firefighters arrived they found an outbuilding on fire and flames that had spread to several trees. The homeowner was attempting to put the fire out with a garden hose. He told firefighters that he had been asleep and had not had a recreational fire.
By the numbers: Crews responded to 328 calls for service, including 250 calls for emergency medical services. Other responses included 11 vehicle crashes, several beeping carbon dioxide detectors that needed to be replaced, a natural gas odor, a woman who accidentally locked an infant inside her car and someone reporting a fire on an apartment balcony who didn’t realize his neighbor was just cooking up a couple steaks.