SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Police say detectives are investigating reports of suspicious activity in neighborhoods evacuated during the Old Trails fire, but most calls so far have involved residents or spectators entering restricted areas.
Chief Kevin Hall says the department has assigned several detectives to quickly follow up on reports.
However, the chief said officers have received few reports that ultimately involved criminal activity. In many cases, the reports involved homeowners returning to the area despite a Level 3 evacuation order.
Police have also encountered spectators entering evacuation zones out of curiosity.
The chief said that even when people do not intend to commit a crime, entering restricted areas can pull officers away from urgent public-safety duties. Officers must monitor those areas and work to protect both people and property.
Residents are urged to follow evacuation orders and avoid entering restricted zones while emergency crews continue their work.
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