Andrus Road fire at zero containment

CHENEY -- The fire that broke out yesterday morning, July 5, along Andrus Road east of Four Lakes has grown to 300 acres and is at zero containment, the Washington State Patrol said in a Tuesday, July 6 update.

The fire was reported at approximately 11:30 a.m. near Andrus Road, north of the Cheney School District's administration facilities and Three Springs High School on Needham Hill, and spread quickly through the grasslands, brush and timber in the area as a result of low relative humidity and unseasonably dry conditions. Firefighters from Spokane County fire districts 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, Airway Heights Fire, Spokane City Fire, Spokane Valley Fire, Lincoln County, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and numerous other agencies have played critical roles in slowing the spread of the fire.

Firefighting efforts today will focus on structure protection, containment lines and getting a good assessment of the fire, State Patrol spokesman Trooper Jeff Sevigney said in a news release. There are approximately 150 firefighters on the ground and air support is scheduled to continue throughout the day. Crews will continue to work through the day and overnight and expect to make additional progress.

There have been no injuries or structures lost. Level 3 evacuation orders and road closures are still in place. For current evacuation orders please see Spokane County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Facebook page.

The Red Cross is coordinating a shelter at Medical Lake High School for evacuees and Spokane County Fairgrounds is open for livestock. Citizens are asked to remain clear of the fire area and adhere to the road closures.

Due to the size and resources that are needed Fire District 3 Fire Chief Cody Rohrbach was able to request state mobilization resources. Northeast Washington Interagency Type 3 IMT Team 2 assumed command of the incident as of 10 p.m. on July 5. They will work in collaboration with local agencies to manage the incident. There are no firefighter injuries reported at this time.

 

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