Fire marshal lifts restrictions on outdoor recreational fires for the City of Spokane

 

Fire marshal lifts restrictions on outdoor recreational fires for the City of Spokane

 

The burn restrictions that were implemented on July 7, 2017 for outdoor recreational fires were lifted effective 8:00 a.m. this morning, by order of the Spokane City Fire Marshal. In ground campfires, fire bowls and fire pits are authorized in the City of Spokane for recreational use. Approved fuels for use include seasoned (clean/dry) firewood, briquettes, propane, or natural gas. Debris disposal is not authorized at any time.

 

Here are other requirements for outdoor fires:

 

• Recreational fires may be in designated areas or on private property with owner approval.
• Keep it small - Fires must not exceed a fuel area of 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.
• Fires must be attended by a responsible adult (knowledgeable in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment) at all times.
• Approved fire extinguishing equipment must be on hand and ready for use.

o   Equipment can include a garden hose, dirt, sand, bucket, shovel, or a minimum 4A rated portable fire extinguisher.

• Adequate clearance from combustibles must exist (25 feet for campfires and fire pits).

o   For multi-family dwellings, use at least a 15-foot clearance from combustibles and structures for portable fireplace appliances.  Be safe and use good judgment.

o   For one and two-family dwellings, follow the appliance manufacturer’s instructions for clearance.  Be safe and use good judgment.

• Fires must not present a health hazard or nuisance to others.
• Safe wind conditions (no more than 7 mph) must be present.
• Ash and charcoal remnants must be safely disposed of in noncombustible waste containers.

 

Note: Burning may be temporarily restricted by Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency due to increasing fine particle (smoke) levels and air stagnation. Check current status at https://www.spokanecleanair.org/current-burning-conditions

 

Fires not meeting the above listed requirements, fires considered unsafe or fires otherwise restricted will be required to be extinguished. As always, bonfires or pig roast type fires must receive an inspection, pre-approval, and a permit from the Spokane Fire Department. Outdoor fires for disposal purposes are illegal in the City of Spokane at all times. Failure to comply with recreational fire regulations are subject to a Class 1 civil infraction, which carries a $536 penalty.  A person who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue unauthorized burning when ordered to do so is guilty of a misdemeanor.  That person can face additional penalties of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail.

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

Cleaning from the Corridor volunteers needed

Cleaning from the Corridor (CFTC) is back with a new fall event! Volunteers will be working within the Bemiss neighborhood on Saturday, October 7^th and they need your help!

 

Volunteers will help those that may not be able to remove trash or unwanted items from their properties. This event wouldn’t be what it is if it weren’t for all the wonderful volunteers that have created a successful event every year!

 

CFTC volunteers will enjoy free coffee and food as they help clean up the Bemiss neighborhood and the community park, Courland Park. Those interested in volunteering can sign up online.

 

Apartment fire displace 10 tenants

 

Apartment fire displaces 10 tenants

 

Smoking appears to be the cause of a fire that heavily damaged two apartment units at a northwest Spokane building Saturday evening. No one was injured and damage was estimated at $100,000.

 

First arriving crews to the building at 840 W. Cora reported heavy fire showing from the top floor of an occupied three-story apartment complex about 5 pm.  Fire had extended into the attic from the two apartment unit balconies that were on fire.

 

Firefighters brought the fire under control within 45 minutes, but the two top-floor apartment units sustained heavy damage along the wall. An adjacent unit also had damage to a wall and the ceiling.

 

Approximately 10 tenants were displaced by the fire and received aid from the Red Cross. SCRAPS assisted tenants with pets.

 

The fire remains under investigation, but the cause appears to be smoking related. The Spokane Fire Department reminded people to make sure they have working smoke detectors in their homes.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

"Freeman Incident" Press release from Spokane County Fire District 8

Attached is a press release for the Freeman High School Incident from Spokane County Fire District 8.

 

Greg Godfrey, Assistant Chief  ● Spokane Fire District 8

12100 E. Palouse Highway ● Valleyford, Wa. 99036 ● 509-926-0852 ext. 802 ● 509-370-9802, Cell

ggodfrey@scfd8.org

ü Please consider the environment before printing this email.

 

"Risk a little to save a little, Risk a lot to save a lot, Risk nothing to save what is already lost"

 

Fire extensively damages home on 14th Avenue

 

Fire extensively damages home on 14^th Avenue

 

The cause of a fire that heavily damaged a vacant home on 14^th Avenue early today is under investigation.  No one was injured and firefighters successfully limited the damage to the involved home.

 

Firefighters responded to the 400 block of east 14^th at 2:20 am and found an extensive fire coming from the home. Crews quickly protected the homes on each side while attacking the involved home.

 

The Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit was on the scene this morning conducting their investigation. A cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

 

Damage was estimated at $300,000.

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

RE: Suspicious South Hill fire under investigation

One update: The fire occurred in the 900 block of E 31st

 

From: Coddington, Brian
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2017 6:58 AM
To: Coddington, Brian
Subject: Suspicious South Hill fire under investigation

 

 

Suspicious South Hill fire under investigation

 

The Spokane Fire Department is investigating a suspicion fire that damaged a vacant South Hill home. Firefighters quickly extinguished the Wednesday night fire and no one was injured.

 

The fire was reported at 8:52 pm. Crews arrived on scene quickly and had the fire under control in about 15 minutes. The attic, roof and exterior of the home were damaged by the fire. Damage was estimated at $25,000.

 

The cause of the fire is suspicious and an investigation by the Special Investigation Unit is ongoing.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Suspicious South Hill fire under investigation

 

Suspicious South Hill fire under investigation

 

The Spokane Fire Department is investigating a suspicion fire that damaged a vacant South Hill home. Firefighters quickly extinguished the Wednesday night fire and no one was injured.

 

The fire was reported at 8:52 pm. Crews arrived on scene quickly and had the fire under control in about 15 minutes. The attic, roof and exterior of the home were damaged by the fire. Damage was estimated at $25,000.

 

The cause of the fire is suspicious and an investigation by the Special Investigation Unit is ongoing.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Fire destroys historic church

Fire destroys historic church

Just after 8:30 p.m. last evening, the Spokane Fire Department responded to the area of Adams St. and Broadway Ave. on a report of a bush fire. Upon arrival, fire crews reported the former Broadway Baptist Church was involved and had significant fire extending through the roof of the building.

Firefighters quickly upgraded the fire to a second alarm in order to receive additional resources to help battle the blaze, including assistance from Spokane Fire District 9 and the Spokane Valley Fire Department.

Crews defensively attacked the fire in order to contain it to the one building and limit it from escaping to adjacent structures. During the attack, multiple collapses occurred at the center of the structure. Located across the street from the church are several wood framed apartment buildings that are under construction which were a primary concern for firefighters. 

“It is extremely unfortunate that our city has lost a building of such historic significance,” says Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. “Firefighters did an exceptional job of suppressing the fire and keeping it from spreading to the surrounding neighborhood and the nearby construction sites. We are very thankful nobody was injured.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department’s Special Investigation Unit.

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

Fire causes significant damage to South Hill home

Fire causes significant damage to South Hills home

 

Last evening at 11 p.m., the Spokane Fire Department responded to the 200 block of W. 14^th Ave. on a report of a residence on fire.

 

Upon arrival, the first company found heavy fire on multiple sides of the exterior of a two story home. Fire was also present on the first and second floors and in the attic. The first arriving crews immediately assigned resources, upgraded the fire in order to receive additional assistance and initiated an aggressive attack on the fire. The quick work of crews kept further damage from occurring. Firefighters were able to determine the house was vacant. Firefighters remained on scene for several hours after the fire was extinguished to conduct overhaul and prevent re-ignition. Additionally, crews conducted salvage operations to reduce loss caused by the fire.

 

The fire caused structural damage throughout the residence along with heavy smoke and water damage. There were no injuries reported to civilians or firefighters.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department’s Special Investigation Unit.

 

Arson investigation underway after second commercial fire

Arson investigation underway after second commercial fire

 

This morning at 5:47 a.m. the Spokane Fire Department was dispatched to Beacon Cleaners and Laundry, located at 3112 S. Grand Blvd., on a report of a commercial building fire.

 

Fire crews arrived within minutes and advised fire was burning to the rear of the building and was rapidly encroaching towards the business. Firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire and prevent it from entering the interior structure causing further damage.

 

The business was in the process of recovering from a prior fire on August 11 where an arsonist had attempted to destroy the building in a similar fashion. During the August 11 incident, two U.S. Postal Service vehicles were also damaged.

 

“This is a serious crime that places the public and our firefighters at risk and we will expend all resources available to investigate and charge the person(s) responsible and hold them accountable,” says Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. “We urge anyone with any information to contact the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit at 509-625-7000.”

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No reported injuries after morning house fire

No reported injuries after morning house fire

No injuries reported

 

This morning just before 8:30 a.m., the Spokane Fire Department was dispatched to the 1300 block of E. Wellesley Ave. on a report of a house fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered heavy smoke and flames coming from the first floor at the front of the home. Within five minutes of arrival and after a thorough search, crews determined the residence was clear of any occupants. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire and prevented it from spreading. The fire caused damage to the first floor bedroom and smoke damage throughout the home. There were no reported injuries.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit. 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

Learn about fire safety and become a junior firefighter

Learn about fire safety and become a junior firefighter

 

The Spokane Fire Department, Safe Kids, Mobius Children's Museum, the Downtown Spokane Partnership and River Park Square are partnering for the inaugural Kids Junior Fire Academy. This free, family event will be held at River Park Square, Saturday, September 9 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

 

“We are excited to be partnering for the first Kids Junior Fire Academy,” says Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. “It is an excellent opportunity for kids and families to experience what it is like to be a firefighter, while learning important safety information.”

 

The Kids Junior Fire Academy is open to “kids” of all ages, and will provide an opportunity for attendees to tour and see demonstrations from a ladder truck and fire engine, learn hands-only CPR, make a craft with Mobius Children's Museum, operate a charged fire hose, learn about child passenger safety from SAFE Kids Spokane and so much more! Kids can collect stamps at each activity and receive a Jr. Firefighter certificate.

 

We hope to see you there!

What: Kids Junior Fire Academy 

When: Saturday, September 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: River Park Square at 808 W. Main Ave.

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

House fire remains under investigation

House fire remains under investigation

No injuries reported

 

A fire remains under investigation after damaging a home in west central Spokane.

 

The fire started just before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at a single family residence in the 1800 block of W. Shannon Ave.

 

First arriving crews noted heavy fire involvement from the second story front of the house. Initial reports indicated there were potential victims inside. Fire crews entered the structure to locate and extinguish the fire while performing a search of the building for trapped occupants. Within 10 minutes of arrival, the house was determined to be clear of any occupants. Firefighters were able to effectively bring the fire under control within 20 minutes. The house sustained heavy damage to the second story and attic space and smoke damage throughout. There were no reported injuries to firefighters or civilians.

 

Anyone with information about the fire should call 509-625-7000 so the information can be forward to the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigations Unit.

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org