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• JUNE 2023
The Current
SVFD Report – April 2023 Current news sources
Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) crews responded to a total of 1,787 emergency incidents for April 2023. By the numbers: Emergency Medical Services 1,477 Fire Suppression
166
Tech Rescue (includes 78 Motor Vehicle Collisions) 86 Other 42 HazMat 9 Wildland Fire
6
Of note: • Emergency Medical Services accounted for 82.70% of all SVFD incidents. • Fire Suppression (fire and Building Alarms) was 9.29% of all SVFD incidents. Safety Message • We continue to emphasize Driving Safely. Schools will soon
be out, and more children will be in parks and on roads. • Be careful with yard equipment and anything that can spark a fire. May is Wildfire Awareness Month. As we move into those warmer temperatures be aware of anything that can potentially start a fire. Do not put cigarettes out in potted plants or throw them out of car windows. The potential for fire from an improperly disposed of cigarette is extremely high. • Wear your life jacket (PFD) while recreating near or on rivers and lakes. Every year SVFD rescues people not wearing life jackets out on area rivers and lakes. Media Release April 12, 2023: Spokane County, Wash. – The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD), The Spokane Fire Department (SFD), Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (Spokane Clean Air), along with surrounding fire agencies, have recently been experiencing an increase in possible illegal burning calls and uncontrolled fires. Warmer spring weather after a long winter has residents outdoors doing yard
work and spring cleaning. We would like to remind area residents that burning garbage, including construction material, and the use of burn barrels is prohibited in our region. Burning outdoors, including yard debris, is not allowed in most areas of Spokane County. Recreational fires are currently allowed until burn restrictions are put in place later this summer. “As we hop into what appears to be a typical Inland Northwest spring, it’s time to bring wildland awareness to the top of our minds! Fire can spread quickly in dry fuels left over from winter, so let’s start to raise our seasonal awareness levels this week.” – Deputy Fire Marshal Brett Anderson – Spokane Valley Fire Department “To minimize smoke from outdoor fires, Spokane Clean Air has field staff responding to reports of illegal burning, including on weekends when needed.” – Lisa Woodard, Communications Manager – Spokane Clean Air. Recreational fires that get outof-control are a common cause of wildfires caused by people. You can
be held financially responsible for the cost of fire department response and any property damage it caused. “Wildfires are not usually a concern during the Spring in the Pacific Northwest; however, we have already seen several small grass fires locally. We encourage people to use caution when burning recreationally.” – Fire Marshal Lance Dahl – City of Spokane Fire Department If you are following regulations, please remember to “Be Fire Smart”: • Use clean, dry firewood or manufactured logs, • Burn 25’ away from any structure, like a house, garage, or fence, • Have an extinguisher or charged water hose nearby, •
Stay near the fire,
• Keep any fire small; no larger than 3’ wide and 2’ tall, and •
Put out the fire completely!
For more information on outdoor burning and restrictions, visit www. SpokaneCleanAir.org/outdoorburning
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