Posted on 07/10/2008 8:41:09 PM PDT by narses
SPOKANE, Wash. — New wildfires pushed by strong winds burned three homes in a wooded area of suburban Spokane Valley late Thursday, and other homes were being evacuated. KREM-TV video showed three houses in flames in the Dishman Hills area, where winds reported gusted as high as 50 miles per hour.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
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sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry,
I will pray for your convent. We recently were fortunate to keep a monastery and convent in California which had been evacuated but somehow escaped burning.
SPOKANE - A fast-moving wildfire in Spokane Valley has forced evacuations and damaged a half-dozen homes as the worst wildfire to hit within the city limits since Firestorm has hit Spokane County.
While the focus earlier in the day was the Spokane Fire Department’s efforts to battle a three-alarm building fire at Ugly Duck Liquidators other departments were being called out nearly continuously since 1 p.m. to fires all across the county. The worst was the fire in Dishman Hills which has damaged homes and forced evacuations.
Numerous homes threatened by Dishman Hills blaze
Spokane Valley crews are battling the fast-moving brush fire at Eastern Road and Moreland Drive in southwest Spokane Valley on the west side of the Dishman Hills.
The fire, which is being fanned by high winds, has destroyed at least one structure and is threatening homes as it moves northeast in the direction of a large housing development. The fire has forced mandatory evacuations of homes and multiple homes have been damaged as the fire roars out of control.
The area where homes have been evacuated includes all residences south of 18th and east of Park in the vicinity of Dishman Hills. The fire continues to move through steep terrain and into the residential areas.
The Department of Natural Resources was going to bring in a tanker aircraft to provide an aerial attack on the fire lines however that aircraft was called off due to high winds in the area.
Fire lights up near Altamont and Bruce
Just before 5 p.m. crews were being dispatched to a half acre brush fire at Altamont and Bruce a block north of Francis. The fire is an empty lot but there are buildings in the vicinity.
Brush Fire growing near Spokane Rifle Club property
A brush fire that grew to approximately four acres on SR 291 and Jergens road near Suncrest has been fully contained.
Initially the fire started on state property near the Spokane Rifle Club but extended onto other property in the vicinity. No buildings were destroyed.
Stevens County fire crews have been fighting windy conditions and steep terrain but had the fire completely contained by late Thursday afternoon. They will be mopping up the fire through Friday morning.
One acre fire knocked down in Cheney
Fire crews have contained a one acre fire north of Cheney near Al Ogdon Way and Simpson Parkway.
The Cheney fire threatened some apartments at one point but crews were able to quickly stop the blaze from advancing. Cheney Fire Department and Fire District #3 were the responding agencies on that fire.
Barn burns in Deer Park blaze
Wind knocked a tree down on a power line causing a brush fire in Deer Park.
Deer Park fire crews had that fire contained at one acre but strong winds kicked up and pushed it into a barn full of hay. Pat Humphries with Fire District #4 says the wind grabbed the small fire at Westmoreland and Division near Deer Park and pushed it into the barn.
The barn was burning as of 4 p.m. and crews are fighting to keep the blaze from spreading any further. By 5 p.m. fire crews had stopped the fire in some trees near the barn and were in the process of knocking down the fire.
Crews have taken a defensive stance and are letting the barn burn down.
KXLY4’s Julie Scott and Rob Kauder contributed to this report.
Thank you.
Guess I’d better call my sister. Deer Park is pretty close to her.
Indeed. The wind is awesome and dangerous.
Been leaving the tv off for a few dayz of peace so did not see this on the NWCN.
I dont ever recall fires in the Spokane area.
Is this a rarity?
New Zealand is sending firefighters to the West Coast of the US. Initially I believe they will be deployed in Northern California. No doubt they will find their way to Spokane eventually.
I suspect Ozzy will be doing the same.
God Bless America
*DieHard*
Just talked to my BIL. Their power has been out for four hours, but they’re OK where they’re at. They live on over 50 acres so a fire in close proximity would be a real concern.
Yes.
Power is off and on here.
I hope you’re in a safe area.
Me too. Unsure at the moment.
I’m about an hour south. Crazy wind all day long. It isn’t that dry but at this rate it will be soon. Should be rolling through there tomorrow evening. Prayers up.
Looks like it might be a long night on fire watch for you.
Offering immediate prayers for your safety.
Hi, narses. I’m staying at my sister’s house about 5 miles east of Dishman Mica and just south of where the mandatory evacuation zone has extended to 48th Ave. We have people and pet bags packed and ready to go should it come to that. Watching KXLY and biting my nails to a nub. Prayers up for you and for all in harm’s way.
Prayers for you and yours. Scary stuff.
Thank you.
Thank you. I’ve never been as close to a wildfire as this. Had friends who lost their home in Chattaroy during the firestorm here 17 years ago. It is indeed, scary. How close are you to the evacuation zone?
Close. I can see and smell the smoke plume.
Yeah, me too. We have all the windows closed, but can smell the smoke from within the house. The valley just below us has a lot of smoke drifting through. I’m keeping a close eye on the Red Cross shelter at University High, because if it gets any closer to them, it would be headed our way. We haven’t had any loss of power as you have. Man, this is scary.
Prayers for you, too. Been close to a couple big fires down here - just GO when they tell you to go.
While you’re waiting:
Take photos of the interior rooms/possessions/exterior of your home, for insurance purposes, if you don’t have them already.
Gather as many important docs as possible, birth certificates, mortgage, insurance papers.
Make sure you have enough clothes and toiletries, pet food and medicines for several days.
Collect your most treasured items.
Don’t forget your computer.
God bless, and stay safe.
Thank you for the excellent advice. You’ve mentioned a few things I hadn’t thought to do, so am off to take care of that now.
Re The Ugly Duck:
http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/NW_071008WAB_ugly_duck_fire_LJ.41adee1b.html
“Winds flare up fire in north Spokane”
03:23 PM PDT on Thursday, July 10, 2008
KREM.com and NWCN.com Staff Reports
SPOKANE —
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. This is the fourth fire sustained at the business in recent years; two of those were arson related.”
Thank you for the link. I’ve found the KXLY live chat, which is being hosted by news producers. They have delayed moderation, and so far haven’t posted either of my questions. They must be jammed. Still, for anyone else in the area, the info they’re providing there is up to the second, and very useful.
KHQ.com has run streaming video of the newscast all night. beats KXLY and KREM (video clips).
We’re well upwind, in the City of Spokane.
I live in CA but am up here this week vacationing. The news is pretty stunning. Aside from the “this is like being in CA” feeling, I mean. The winds were bizarre this afternoon and the fires came out of nowhere. I’m very sad for the people I saw on TV. One couple just moved here a year ago from Seattle and their dream home went up in smoke with no warning this afternoon.
Any word on cause yet? Also have you heard about the Lewiston fire? It was caused by winds driving power lines into dry brush but I haven’t heard anything more for hours. We’re going to be driving south for two days starting Saturday morning.
Good luck to you.
Ping.
I live not 3 blocks away from dishman mica. Should I be worried?
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