Homes saved in quick fire response

 

Last updated 9/1/2021 at 6:31am

A hillside of flames backdrops a scene on Banks Avenue Sunday night where scores of firefighters responded to save several homes from a "human-caused" fire. - Scott Hunter photo

Firefighters converged with speed and coordination on a hillside blaze just above Banks Avenue in Grand Coulee Sunday night, saving several residences just below the city water tanks.

Dispatched to the wildfire at 100 Banks Avenue at 8:40 p.m., Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Dept. called for mutual aid from departments at Electric City, Coulee Dam Elmer City and Lincoln County.

Before long, 38 firefighters, two EMTs, two Grand Coulee Police officers and 14 fire engines had responded.

Three residences and their outbuildings were all saved as about two acres of grass and sagebrush burned on the steep hillside above them.

"It was a good stop, the resources all arrived in a timely manner to stop the fire before getting to the structures," noted a press release sent on behalf of the department.

The National Weather Service had issued a "red flag" warning for very low humidity, and local firefighters confirmed that.


"Working the fire, firefighters could not see any signs of the moisture we have received in the last couple weeks," the release said. "The grass and sagebrush was very dry and there was no moisture in the soil."

One firefighter suffered a knee injury and several fell on the steep hillside, resulting in minor scrapes and bruises. During mop up on Monday there were several bee stings.

The fire was human-caused and is under investigation by the fire department and Grand Coulee Police, the release said. Police officers have interviewed several witnesses.

"We are enjoying cooler weather but, we are definitely still in high fire danger," the release said. "All the firefighters ask everyone to be very careful while enjoying outside activities."

GCVFD Assistant Fire Chief Nic Alexander was incident commander on the fire.

 

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