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AREA FIRE MARSHALS AND SURROUNDING CITIES ENACT BURN RESTRICTIONS

Jun 4, 2021

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SVFD FIRE MARSHAL ISSUES BURN RESTRICTIONS

FOR THE SPOKANE VALLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE DISTRICT

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Due to the hot, dry conditions, specified outdoor recreational fires (campfires, fire bowls, and fire pits) have been restricted in the Cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Millwood, and the unincorporated areas of Greenacres and Otis Orchards effective today, June 4, 2021, by order of the Spokane Valley Fire Department, Fire Marshal.

The restriction will continue until further notice; such restrictions are subject to change depending on conditions. Also see www.spokanevalleyfire.com for more information.

Citizens still may use backyard barbecues, portable outdoor fireplaces, or other patio/deck warmers, provided the appliance has spark arrester and a chimney, approved fuel is used, and weather conditions support safe recreational fires.  Approved fuel includes seasoned (clean and dry) firewood, briquettes, propane, or natural gas.

Here are other requirements for outdoor fires:

  • Fires must be in designated areas or on private property with approval from the owner.
  • Fires must be attended by a responsible adult (knowledgeable in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment) at all times.
  • Approved fire extinguishing equipment must be on hand and ready for use.
    • Equipment can include a garden hose, dirt, sand, bucket, shovel, or a minimum 4A rated portable fire extinguisher.
  • Adequate clearance from combustibles must exist.
    • For one and two-family dwellings, follow the device manufacturer’s instructions for clearance.  Be safe and use good judgment.
    • For multi-family dwellings, use at least a 15-foot clearance from combustibles and structures.  Be safe and use good judgment.
  • Fires must not present a health hazard or nuisance to others.
  • Safe wind conditions (no more than 7 mph) must be present.
  • Ash and charcoal remnants must be safely disposed of in noncombustible waste containers.

Unsafe or otherwise restricted fires will be required to be extinguished.  Failure to comply with the burning restrictions could have serious consequences.  A person who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue unauthorized burning when ordered to do so is guilty of a misdemeanor and can face a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail.

Greg Rogers

Fire Marshal

Spokane Valley Fire Department

 

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SVFD SFD Spokane County

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 4, 2021

Contact:         

Julie Happy

SVFD

509.892.4155

Lance Dahl

Spokane Fire Department

509.625.7040

James Moore

Spokane County

509.477.7120

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AREA FIRE MARSHALS AND SURROUNDING CITIES ENACT BURN RESTRICTIONS

BURN RESTRICTIONS GO INTO EFFECT, FRIDAY, JUNE 4

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Fire Danger Burn Restriction

Fire Marshals from Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD), City of Spokane Fire Department (SFD), Spokane County, City of Cheney, City of Airway Heights, and City of Deer Park have all enacted the Fire Danger Burn Restriction effective Friday 4, June.  With high temperatures in the forecast, all Cities and Fire Agencies want to keep area communities safe from fire risk by reducing the number of human-caused wildfires.

“Burn restrictions are put in place to keep us all safe and healthy,” said Spokane Valley Fire Department Fire Marshal, Greg Rogers. “After a review of the short-range weather forecast, along with the low amount of rainfall this spring in Spokane County and discussions with our area Fire Chief partners, we feel it is prudent to initiate Burn Restrictions for Spokane County until further notice.”

Unauthorized open burning and unauthorized recreational fires are restricted until this order is lifted or unless otherwise permitted by law enforcement or authorized agencies.  If you have any questions, before lighting any fire, call your local agency first.

“The hot-dry conditions and the absence of rain fall have produced an increased fire risk,” said City of Spokane Fire Marshal, Lance Dahl, “we want to mitigate that risk as much as possible by enacting burn restrictions area wide thus protecting all communities from the risk of human-caused wildfire.”

We want to do our part to keep our air quality as smoke free as possible.  Breathing smoke affects the respiratory system and is especially harmful to everyone and most especially, younger, and elderly generations, and those with heart and respiratory conditions.

We encourage everyone to follow these easy guidelines and help prevent an unplanned fire from occurring.  Keep our community fire and smoke risk free this summer wildfire season:

While the burn restriction is in place, any person found with a recreational fire or conducting open burning who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue such burning when ordered or notified to do so shall be charged with a misdemeanor. (IFC 109; SCC 3.02)

If you have questions regarding burn restrictions, here are some resources:

City of Airway Heights – http://www.cawh.org/

City of Deer Park – https://www.cityofdeerparkwa.com/

City of Spokane Fire Department – https://my.spokanecity.org/fire/

Spokane Clean Air – https://spokanecleanair.org/burning

Spokane County – https://www.spokanecounty.org/

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) – https://www.spokanevalleyfire.com/

Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) – https://www.dnr.wa.gov/OutdoorBurning

 

Burn Restrictions 06-04-2021 at 8:00 am

 

Popular Links

Did you Know?

 

  • You can sign up for a station tour. Great for small groups.
  • You should replace the batteries in your smoke alarms twice a year.
  • Creating a defensible space with regards to wildfires could just save your home or property.

Media Contact

  • Julie Happy
  • 509-892-4155

Commissioner Patrick Burch

Board Member Since: July 18, 2016
Current term expires: December 31, 2025

Commissioner Burch was appointed to the Board of Fire Commissioners in July 2016 to fill an unexpired term and has served continuously since that time. He became a volunteer member of the Department’s CERT Team in 2008 and later served as a team leader/member of Fire Corps.

“I admire the Spokane Valley Fire Department’s focus on continuous improvement. Our dedication to the community, fiscal responsibility and the fact that we are one of the few accredited fire departments in the State of Washington all make SVFD great!”

Note: As the individual appointed to this non-partisan position, Commissioner Burch was elected by voters in November 2017.

Commissioner Mike Kester

Board Member Since: January 1, 2020
Current six year term expires: December 31, 2025

Commissioner Mike Kester was elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners in November, 2019.

Commissioner Kester grew up in the Spokane area and has a deep appreciation for just how fortunate we all are to live in this beautiful area. He believes that being involved in this community is not something to take lightly.

His background includes joining the United States Coast Guard (U.S.C.G) after high school and serving on a port firefighting boat doing search and rescue in Portland, Oregon.  After the Coast Guard, he attended the University of Montana earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Resource Management.  He then went on to work for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, serving in their Parks Department.

Spokane was the next step in his career. He  went to work for the Burlington Santa Fe Railroad and the next 22 years was spent as a conductor moving freight. Commissioner Kester  retired in 2010 after a workplace injury and now,  he and his wife enjoy making meals for World War II Veterans, helping out at the YMCA ,and providing meals for those in need.

“In the 25 years of being a resident of the Spokane Valley the professionalism of the SVFD has inspired me to take an active part in bettering our community. We have one of the best fire departments in the whole Pacific Northwest. My wife and I have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. I have dedicated my life to keeping them safe.  I want to apply that dedication to our community.  Keeping us all safe is a goal we should all aspire to in one way or another. Communication within the department and with the public is, and always will be one of my primary goals.”

Commissioner John Guarisco

Board Member since: August 27, 2018
Current six year term expires: December 31, 2027

Commissioner Guarisco was appointed to the Board of Fire Commissioners in August 2018 to fill an unexpired term and has served continuously since that time. Commissioner Guarisco founded Marjoni Marketing in 2004 and in 2010 merged with MDI marketing. He then pursued Real Estate, earning his license and now, currently serves the greater Spokane area as a licensed Realtor. He has long been active in the community and has won numerous awards during his career including the Volunteer of the Year (2014) and the Community Caring Award (2010) from the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.  He is a member of the Greater Spokane Valley Rotary Club and holds an AA degree from Spokane Falls Community College.

Note: As the individual appointed to this non-partisan position, Commissioner Guarisco was elected by voters in November 2019.

Commissioner Bill Anderson

Board Member since: January 1, 2000
Current six year term expires: December 31, 2023

Commissioner Anderson served our community as a Spokane Valley Fire Department firefighter for 29 years. Throughout his career, he worked as a firefighter, dispatcher and engineer before he was promoted and became an officer. He was Station Captain of Millwood Station 2 when he retired in 1999. During his years as firefighter, he was an active leader of Spokane Valley Firefighters Local 876 and served as a trustee on the Washington State Council of Firefighters for 25 years.

“It’s important to me that we continue the good service we’ve always given the people. We’ve accomplished a lot and are pulling in the same direction to get better. I’m very proud of the Spokane Valley Fire Department.”

Commissioner Brian Asmus

Board Member Since: June 14, 2021
Current term expires: 

Commissioner Brian Asmus was appointed to the Spokane Valley Fire Department Board of Fire Commissioners in 2021.

Commissioner Asmus is the former Liberty Lake Police Chief and current Director of Safety and Security at Central Valley School District (CVSD).

“Brian Asmus brings extensive Public Safety leadership experience, and a long history of being actively engaged in his community to his new role as a SVFD Commissioner,” said SVFD Fire Chief, Bryan Collins. “During his time as a Police Chief, Brian interacted with SVFD firefighters and administrators on a regular basis, making him very familiar with our structure, standing within our communities, as well as with many of our current SVFD board members and personnel. Brian’s experience working and collaborating on regional issues aligns nicely with SVFD’s philosophy and will help us continue to be a catalyst for local and regional excellence and innovation.”