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REGIONAL FIRE MARSHALS LIFT BURN RESTRICTIONS FOR THE SPOKANE AREA EFFECTIVE, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Sep 19, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 19, 2019

Contact:        

Julie Happy                             Marlene Feist                          Jared Webley

Spokane Valley Fire                City of Spokane                      Spokane County

509.892.4155                          509.625.6505                          509.477.2479

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REGIONAL FIRE MARSHALS LIFT BURN RESTRICTIONS

FOR THE SPOKANE AREA

EFFECTIVE, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

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The outdoor recreational fire restrictions that were implemented on July 24, are being lifted.  This will take effect at 8 a.m. Friday morning, September 20 due to the current and forecasted cooler and wetter conditions, restrictions for specified outdoor recreational fires (campfires, fire bowls, and fire pits) have been lifted for the Spokane County and Spokane Metro Area by order of the Spokane Metro Area Fire Marshals.

The Fire Danger Rating was updated reflecting area wide forecasted weather changes.

“We want to thank everyone for their compliance with the burn restrictions this summer,” said Spokane Valley Fire Department Fire Marshal, Greg Rogers.  “We experienced a fairly smoke free summer and safer conditions this year.”

The burn restriction lift will remain in place until weather and fire danger conditions change.

Spokane Fire Department Fire Marshal Megan Phillips stated that “Thankfully, the weather has cooperated with us this year with cooler and wetter conditions, allowing the burn restrictions to be lifted earlier than usual.”

Provided that people are in compliance with the following regulations, outdoor recreational fires, including campfires, are allowed in the City of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Airway Heights, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Millwood, and throughout all unincorporated areas of Spokane County.

Chimineas, portable outdoor fireplaces, or other patio/deck warmers are allowed as long as approved fuel (seasoned clean dry firewood, briquettes, propane, or natural gas) is used and other requirements are satisfied. The fire cannot be used for the purpose of debris disposal including paper, natural vegetation, garbage, etc.

Here are other requirements for outdoor fires:

  • Recreational fires can only be in designated areas on public property or on private property with owner approval. Fires must not exceed a fuel area of 3’ in diameter and 2’ in height.
  • Fires must be attended by a responsible adult, (knowledgeable in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment) at all times until the fire is extinguished.
  • 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 campfires and fire pits, a minimum 25’ clearance to structures and combustibles is required. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25’ of a structure must be eliminated prior to the fire’s ignition.
  • For portable outdoor fireplaces at one and two-family dwellings, owners must follow the manufacturer’s instructions for clearance, which usually includes maintaining the domed screen or other spark arresting type device in place over the fire.
  • For multi-family dwellings (3-units and over), portable outdoor fireplaces require at least a 15-foot clearance from structures and combustibles.
  • Fires must not present a health hazard or nuisance to others.
  • Safe wind conditions (no more than 7-10 mph [DNR Guideline]) must be present.
  • Burning may be temporarily restricted by Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency due to increasing fine particle (smoke) levels and air stagnation.

Check current status at https://www.spokanecleanair.org/current-burning-conditions .

For more information on burn restrictions in Washington State visit DNR.wa.gov

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.”