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Dishman HIlls brush fire quickly tackled Monday; forecasters issue red flag warning in Spokane area

Firetrucks are staged along Appleway Avenue near Vista, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. The fire was considered small to medium size according to initial reports from the Spokane Valley Department. It was burning near the 8200 block of Appleway Boulevard near Vista Road. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Firetrucks are staged along Appleway Avenue near Vista, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. The fire was considered small to medium size according to initial reports from the Spokane Valley Department. It was burning near the 8200 block of Appleway Boulevard near Vista Road. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)Buy a print of this photo
By Emma Epperly emmae@spokesman.com(509) 459-5122

A brush fire inside the Dishman Hills Natural Area on Monday night was quickly knocked down after a large firefighter response. Meteorologists warn conditions are prime for rapid fire growth and issued a red flag warning Tuesday morning. 

The Spokane Valley Fire Department received reports of a brushfire on the 8000 block of Appleway Blvd. at 9 p.m. One 911 caller said the fire was alongside the road and up hills near the CarMax dealership, according to a SVFD statement. 

On scene firefighters discovered a 100 by 100 foot fire moving through grass and trees up a steep hill within the boundaries of Dishman Hills, SVFD said. 

Additional firefighters from the City of Spokane Fire Department and the Department of Natural Resources responded to assist with containing the fire. 

After laying hoselines as they hiked up the hill and focused on limiting the fire’s spread. The fire was 100% contained by 11:15 p.m., SVFD said. 

No buildings were threatened and no injuries were reported. The fire was estimated to be 250 feet by 300 feet, according to SVFD. A joint investigation by DNR and SVFD is looking into the cause of the blaze. 

Breezy and very dry conditions Tuesday are set to produce critical fire weather conditions, according to the National Weather Service Spokane. These conditions are perfect for rapid fire growth and spread in new or ongoing fires, NWS said. 

A red flag warning was issued for 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday. Cooler weather is expected Wednesday through Friday with afternoon temperatures in the upper 70s to mid 80s, NWS forecast. Warmer temperatures in the 90s are expected over the weekend.