Liberty Park Wildland Urban Interface Fire In City Of Spokane

Press release from the City of Spokane:

July 19, 2021

On Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at 1:25 PM, 8 Companies of Spokane Firefighters (4 Brush Engines, 4 Structural Engines, Safety Officer, and Battalion Chief) responded to a Wildland Urban-Interface Fire on Spokane's South Hill near 1625 East Hartson Avenue. With smoke visible from I-90 and the fire rapidly approaching nearby homes above and adjacent to the Liberty Pool, firefighters worked quickly to stretch hose lines and battle flames across the steep rolling terrain. Spokane Police evacuated up to eight homes ahead of the fire's advance to ensure their safety. Quick action by all of the personnel on-scene resulted in the fire's forward progression being stopped just feet from structure located on Hartson.

Despite flames being confined within one hour to .5 acre, the tinder-dry brush could not be declared fully extinguished until later in the day as hand crews worked the entire edge of the fire with hand tools to assure the fire was out.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by SFD Fire Investigators.

This press release was produced by the City of Spokane. The views expressed here are the author’s own.