As the flames drew closer, the fire chief called and called for help. But three other major wildfires were burning in Stevens County, Wash., and no one was left to respond. Whipped by 40- to 50-mph winds, the new blaze on the Spokane Reservation sent up a column of smoke as it churned north toward a rural community of about 2,000 people east of the Columbia River.
- PUB DATE: 8/19/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: los angeles times

The need to respond to fast moving brush fires is part of why crews are so shorthanded across the Northwest. Local crews need to keep enough first responders here at home to keep us safe. In places like Okanogan County, local fire crews are almost completely on their own. Level 3 evacuations were in place Tuesday evening in Okanogan County.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2015 7:42:19 PM - SOURCE: KREM-TV CBS 2

Smoke from a fire near Airway Heights could be seen for miles Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters were called to the scene along Grove Road and Houston before 4:00 p.m. Leaders with the Department of Natural Resources said the fire had been named the "Houston Fire." Authorities said Wednesday morning the fire is in a "smoldering stage.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2015 5:49:27 PM - SOURCE: Northwest Cable News

An overnight fire claimed the life of a Chattaroy mother and her four year old daughter who were sleeping in a camper on private property north of Laurel and Elk-Chattaroy Road. The first call to 911 came in as a brush fire when a neighbor across the street saw trees crowning out. It wasn't until Spokane Fire District 4 crews got on the scene that they realized there was a camper on fire.
- PUB DATE: 8/18/2015 5:00:21 PM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4