Spokane County Fire District 9

“Yesterday was another reminder that response times matter. And why making investments in our fire district are critical - ensuring we have the right number of staff assigned to fire equipment, that our fire apparatus fleet is modern and response capable, and resources are strategically placed to respond quickly cause every second counts in an emergency”.

“Ensuring that we have the best possible outcomes starts with being well prepared before a wildfire like we experienced again yesterday happens.”

— Fire Chief Matt Vinci

Yesterday, we were fortunate that winds remained light. Even with favorable wind conditions, the combination of steep topography, extremely dry fuels, and temperatures around 91 degrees at the time of the fire still produced aggressive fire behavior, as shown in this video.

Our firefighters, along with crews from our partner agencies, began at the bottom of the hillside and climbed nearly 400 feet in elevation while carrying up to 35 pounds of gear. Wearing full Nomex wildland protective clothing, they also carried and deployed more than 1,000 feet of hose to reach the head of the fire. Their hard work, determination, and teamwork stopped the fire’s forward progress and helped keep it to just a few acres.

Yesterday, REM 94 responded to Beacon Hill to assist the City of Spokane Fire Department with an injured bicyclist. REM 94 transported the patient from the hillside trail system to the waiting ambulance, helping crews safely move the patient out of the difficult terrain.

We have two REM units, REM 94 and REM 93, strategically located on the east and west ends of our district. These specialized units respond to incidents like this several times each year. They are invaluable resources, allowing our firefighters to access areas where traditional emergency vehicles can’t go and reach patients quickly when every minute counts.

We’re always happy to work alongside the City of Spokane Fire Department to serve our community, wherever we’re needed.