Tour Commander, 509.625.7100
Monday, July 17, 2023 at 8:10 a.m.
On July 14, 2023, at 7:57 PM, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) was dispatched to a report of a wildland fire located near 2611 North Market. 911 callers described the fire as initially 50 feet wide and rapidly approaching an apartment building. Firefighters arrived within six minutes and immediately took action to simultaneously evacuate the threatened apartment building while also attacking the head of the fire to slow its progression. The fire was located close to the railroad tracks, necessitating rail traffic to be temporarily shut down during the incident. As additional resources arrived, firefighters established anchor points below the fire on the hillside and cut firelines by hand to contain the fire. The fire's forward progress was stopped in 5 minutes and was 100% contained within 20 minutes. All property on the site was saved, and damage to nearby electrical infrastructure and vehicles was prevented. This was a human-caused fire and remains under investigation. DNR will have a presence today at the fire to ensure it remains extinguished and does not present a problem to the neighborhood with the incoming hot and windy weather expected over the next several days.
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The City of Spokane has several Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas. WUI areas are where urban developments and wildland environments meet. As in the case of this fire, occupancies and businesses located near wildland fuels increase the likelihood of fires occurring and spreading into developments. Like most WUI incidents, this fire can create tactical challenges for firefighters and our community. While yesterday's incident was managed quickly and resulted in no property or loss of life, it does emphasize the need for proactive measures such as community involvement, early warning, evacuation planning, and appropriate land management practices to mitigate the risks associated with WUI fires.
