Evacuations lowered after multiple fires erupt near SFCC

Officials put Spokane Falls Community College under an evacuation after new fires broke out along the Spokane River Tuesday . All evacuation orders had been lowered to warnings by about 5:30 p.m.

Connor Nikkola, Washington State Department of Natural Resources Natural Areas Manager for the northeast region, said at about 7:30 p.m. the fire was fully contained and crews, some of whom were leaving the scene, were mopping up the fire.

Ryan Rodruck, DNR spokesman, said crews believe the fire has “four separate starts.” Multiple teams and engines were dispatched to the area across from Pettet Drive, he said.

A call came in at 2:30 p.m. to respond to a fire near 2882 W. Elliott Dr.

Rodruck said the fire burned 4 to 5 acres. SFCC was among the locations placed under a Level 3 evacuation, meaning residents should leave immediately.

At the scene in the area of North Pettet Drive and West Nora Avenue, overlooking the Spokane River, a helicopter was seen picking up water and dropping it over the trees. Nikkola said at the scene that firefighters were engaged in structure protection at a nearby group of apartments. Hand crews, tenders and engines were all assigned to the fire, he said. No structures had been lost.

The Spokane Fire Department’s union wrote on Facebook Tuesday afternoon 60% of its fire engine crews were engaged in fighting the fire.

Wind was a factor but didn’t appear to be making the blaze worse, according to Spokane Fire Department spokesperson Justin de Ruyter. The fires appear to be “suspicious,” he said. It comes on the heels of six reported arson fires in downtown Spokane Tuesday morning, all under investigation by the Spokane Police Department.

All Level 3 evacuations have been dropped to Level 1.

The cause of the fire still had not been confirmed Tuesday night .