SPOKANE, Wash. – Firefighters have been working tirelessly to extinguish the 50-acre Aubrey White Fire. The smoke has started to dissipate, but efforts continue to ensure it is completely out.
The fire began Sunday afternoon, and crews quickly mobilized.
“Just before 2 o’clock, we got the first call,” Public Information with the Washington Department of Natural Resources Officer Gui Gifford.
By 3:00 p.m., a command center was set up at Spokane Falls Community College. Resources from across the county, including fire districts, helicopters, and ground crews, came together.
“Currently we have resources from all over the county, all the fire districts,” Gifford said.
Evacuation orders were issued to keep residents safe. These orders included level three, which means to leave immediately, level two, indicating readiness to leave, and level one, which means to stay alert.
“We have a structure group in place providing structure protection,” said another PIO Jessica Walston said.
Evacuation levels in the Indian Bluff area were initially set to level three but were later downgraded as the situation improved.
Gifford, involved in the operations, expressed cautious optimism, saying that there “Probably about 20 plus people on scene.”
The fire is not yet completely out, but resources remain available.
Michael McManus from the Idaho Department of Lands explained the challenge of fully containing a brush fire.
“The 100% contained mark — We’ll still have people going up and checking from day to day,” he said.
The Washington Department of Natural Resources confirmed that officers will monitor the fire overnight to address any developments.
