Winds, fires keep crews busy
(Courtesy photo) Selkirk Fire, Rescue and EMS responded to several fires during Tuesday’s windstorm, one of which caused about $200,000 in damage, destroying several cars and a large pole barn. Several smaller brush fires were reported as well.
(Courtesy photo) Selkirk Fire, Rescue and EMS responded to several fires during Tuesday’s windstorm, one of which caused about $200,000 in damage, destroying several cars and a large pole barn. Several smaller brush fires were reported as well.
SANDPOINT — With 20 mph winds and gusts up to 50 mph, Selkirk Fire, Rescue and EMS firefighters were busy Tuesday as they responded to several fires throughout the area.
The department received more than 10 calls in a three-hour period, and Selkirk Fire Chief Ron Stocking said the majority of those calls were wind related. One of those calls was a report of a fire in the 10100 block of Lakeshore Drive in Sagle, which destroyed several cars and a large pole barn.
"We are putting the damage at close to $200,000 in fire damage, with an additional $200,000 saved because of the aggressive actions of the firefighters."
The fire, which was reported at 3:50 p.m. as a brush fire, was caused by electrical wires arcing in the trees due to the high winds, Stocking said.
Crews responded to several smaller brush fires as well, all of which Stocking said were caused by burn piles that were not fully extinguished. While the rain will help, Stocking asked that anyone who does have a burn pile to make sure it is out before leaving it unattended or before winds pick up.
"Yesterday was a prime example of how weather can change and cause fires to happen when people would not normally expect them to happen," he said.
Between on-duty crews and volunteers, 23 firefighters responded with 10 pieces of equipment and sent an engine to Northside Fire District to help out with a fire, which is a "direct result" of the joint powers agreement between Sandpoint, Sagle and Westside fire districts, Stocking said.
Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.