Spokane city officials conducted wildfire evacuation drills Saturday morning in the Eagle Ridge neighborhood to help residents prepare for potential fires. The drill interrupted the quiet morning with emergency alerts as residents practiced evacuation procedures. It was the second drill in a planned series for different neighborhoods. “We are performing the second of a series of wilderness evacuations that we are planning for different neighborhoods,” said Kate Telis, Spokane City Council member. “A lot of these are neighborhoods within the wilderness urban interface, and we are performing a drill to make sure that people have the adequate roads that they need to evacuate in a timely manner.”
Washington state has about 900 wildfires each year, with 70 percent happening in Eastern Washington, according to the Washington Department of Natural Resources. City officials say wildfires are practically inevitable in the area. Sarah Ness, City of Spokane Director of Emergency Management, explained evacuation priorities. “First things first make sure that people and pets are safe,” Ness said. “Take them with you, take your documents, its just get out of the area, get out safe, you can come back eventually.” Officials are on high alert after a dry winter. Climate change is making the situation worse.
KAYU-TV FOX 28 Spokane
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