SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509)625-7002

Government Way Incident

Incident #:  2012034634
Date of Incident:  8/13/2012
Issuing Officer:  Von Steuben, PIO

Narrative:
NEWS FROM THE FIRELINE: The Government Way Fire started around 2:30 P.M. this afternoon. Initially the fire spread rapidly due to erratic winds in the area. 60 residents and staff were evacuated from the Holy Names Academy due to the close proximity of the fire. Of the residents 20 were ambulatory and were transported by the Spokane Transit Authority to the Mission House. 10 non-ambulatory and 6 wheelchair residents were transported by American Medical Response and Spokane Transit Authority to St. Joseph's Family Center. As the incident escalated, Spokane Incident Management Team 'A' was dispatched to assist with the management of the incident in coordination with the SFD. 3 Spokane Fire Department units and 2 Department of Natural Resources units will continue with operations on the fire line overnight. CONTAINMENT: 75% SIZE: 5+ acres LOCATION: South of Holy Names Academy, North of the Spokane River. VEGETATION TYPE AND TERRAIN: Grass and Trees. WEATHER: Mostly sunny/clear into the late afternoon and evening. Continued warm into the late afternoon with a high around 95 and overnight low of 60. Winds are expected at 5 to 8 M.P.H. from the Southwest-West with gusts up to 16, decreasing to 2 to 5 after mid evening. PERSONNEL: 75-100 personnel at the peak of the incident. RESOURCES: Spokane County Incident Management Team, approximately 35-45 units were on scene at the peak of the incident including structural engines, brush engines and a bull dozer. AGENCIES & COOPERATORS INVOLVED: Spokane Fire Department, Spokane Valley Fire Department, Spokane County Fire Districts 3, 4, 9, 10, Stevens County Fire Department and Spokane County Incident Management Team A.

Cause:
Under investigation by the SFD's SIU.

Damage:
All structures were successfully protected.

# Firefighters Responding: 100

Other Fire Districts Responding: DNR, Fire District 1, Fire District 10, Fire District 3, Fire District 4, Fire District 9

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002