For Immediate Release:

May 25, 2020

Contact:

Jeff Smetzler

Public Information Officer

Spokane Valley Fire Department

509-319.6078

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Spokane Valley Fire Responds to Barn Fire N. Starr Rd & E. Joseph Ave Monday Morning

This is the 3^rd Working Fire in 3 Days for the SVFD

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Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) firefighters responded at 8:41 a.m. this morning to a report of a fire on N. Starr Rd near the intersection of E. Joseph Ave.  A passerby stated a detached barn was on fire and not sure that the homeowner if home was aware.

Initial crews arrived to find fully involved barn on fire with no other threatened structures.  Fire strategy was established as defensive and crews quickly stabilized the incident and controlled the fire with exterior fire streams.  Access to fire hydrants in that area is sometimes limited due to extensively long driveways and distances of structures adjacent to residential roadways.  SVFD crews train for such scenarios and preplan in those areas for laying extended supply lines and attacking fires initially with limited water supplies. Crews used multiple engines and several hand lines to fight the fire.

Once the fire was out crews continued to hit the hot spots to make sure the fire was completely out and contained. The size of the Barn is estimated at 50ft x 40ft.  SVFD received mutual aid help from Kootenai County Fire District and working together is another example of preplanning competed by both organizations to provide for more affective and proficient services in those areas.

About Spokane Valley Fire Department
Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 125,000, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas within the 75-square miles of Spokane County Fire District 1. In 2019, SVFD firefighter crews, including its paramedics and EMTs, responded to more than 18,326 emergency calls.

Established eighty years ago in 1940, SVFD is committed to pursuing excellence and is distinguished as an Accredited Agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and by the fire district’s ISO Class 2 rating from the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau.

Connect with SVFD at: spokanevalleyfire.com. For department news, safety information, and timely updates, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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