SOUTH CHENEY, Wash. — Forward progress on the fire has stopped following a strong response from crews, according to fire spokesperson Cody Rohrbach. While the threat has not been fully eliminated, fire activity has significantly died down.
According to Spokane County Fire District 3 (SCFD3):
North of Washington evac is all clear.South of Washington to 14400 block of Keeney Rd, East of Keeney to Hwy 195 is now Level 2.South of Washington/West of Keeney Rd remains Level 3.
SCFD3 Chief Cody Rohrbach said the fire is estimated at about 8 acres. The first report came in at 11:46 a.m.
Evacuation boundaries are beginning to shrink. Approximately 30 homes have been impacted, with about a dozen currently under Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders.
Crews are expected to remain on scene until dark, Rohrbach said.
Increased humidity and cooler fire behavior have helped firefighting efforts. However, Rohrbach noted that the biggest challenges have been gusty winds and extremely dry fuels. Much of the grass in the area is dead.
“This is likely just the beginning of what could be a long and active fire season,” he said.
Updated at 2:45 p.m.
Spokane County Fire District 3 has issued Level 3 evacuations for residents living between the 12400 and 13700 block of South Keeney Road including residents living on Diamond Lane and Mindrup Meadows Lane and individuals using the James Slavin Recreational Area.
SCFD3 said the Keeney Fire is 4-acres in size and burning in mixed fuels. Fire crews are on scene, and nearby structures are currently threatened. Check evacuation status here.
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