Fire crews to remain at High Drive brush fire today

Firefighters will monitor hillside for flare-ups Tuesday

Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Chief, 509.625.7002

Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 10:35 a.m.

The Spokane Fire Department has six crews along High Drive today to monitor a brush fire that threatened about a dozen homes Monday evening.

Fire Chief Bobby Williams said a line has been established all the way around the fire, which grew to approximately seven acres. According to fire crews, the brush fire started mid-way up the hill below High Drive shortly before 4 p.m. Monday. Flames moved up the hillside to within 100 feet of about a dozen homes. A cause has yet to be determined and no one was injured.

Crews from the Department of Natural Resources and Fire District 8 assisted SFD. A total of 80-100 personnel were called to the scene among all three agencies. Air support was also used to battle the fire.

Williams said the lack of wind Monday helped crews contain the fire. Voluntary evacuations were issued, but no mandatory evacuations were called for, he added.

Fire crews plan to remain on scene throughout the day today and longer if needed. Officials said smoke may be visible in the area for the rest of the day and possibly longer. High Drive between Grand Blvd. and Manito is closed Tuesday. Only local traffic is allowed.

SFD recommends that homeowners keep at least 30 ft. of ‘green space’ around homes to keep them safer in the event of brush fires. Green spaces should be free of combustible material such as trees and shrubs. A lack of green space makes homes vulnerable.