Live fire training planned in Newport

NEWPORT — The South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue will conduct a multi-agency controlled live fire training exercise on Saturday in cooperation with Newport Hospital and Health Services.

"Since plans included tearing down the house for additional parking, hospital administration decided that donating the live fire opportunity would provide invaluable training for local firefighters," Jenny Smith, NHHS public information officer, said.

The training burn is scheduled for around 10 a.m. at 200 N. Scott Ave., where a house is slated for demolition to make way for additional hospital parking.

Scott Avenue between Spruce and First streets will be closed to through traffic. Additionally, Pine Street will be closed between N. Scott and N. Warren avenues.

The public is asked to avoid the area unless seeking medical services at the hospital. Emergency room patients should enter through the upper parking lot off North Cass Avenue.

The Newport Health Center will be open regular hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Residents nearby can expect heavy smoke from the burn, NHHS officials said in a press release. The Ponderosa Room in the hospital annex building at the Spruce and Scott corner will be open for those wishing to avoid smoke.

Fire Chief Dan Williams said the donated training house "will provide invaluable controlled live fire burn training for Pend Oreille and neighboring fire districts."

Preparation included inspections, training exercises, removal of hazards, asbestos abatement and acquiring permits. Life Flight was also notified about potentially using an alternate landing zone.

Prior to Saturday's training exercise, the building was inspected on June 5 for possible hazards. In addition, Search and Rescue rapid intervention training was conducted at the site on June 6.

Preparation also included inspections, removal of hazards, asbestos abatement and acquiring permits. Life Flight was also notified to use an alternate landing zone.