Spokane County Fire District #4

09/04/2026

🔶FIRE DANGER DROPS TO VERY HIGH🔶
A friendly reminder: ALL BURN BANS REMAIN IN EFFECT.

We’ve had a welcome change in the weather, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources has lowered our fire danger rating to VERY HIGH.

We’re grateful for the cooler temperatures and the little bit of rain we’ve received. However, our landscape is still very dry and susceptible to fire. A few cooler, wetter days don’t undo the dry conditions we’ve experienced throughout the summer.

As this weather system moves through, we’ll see warmer and drier conditions return, so it’s important that we continue to use caution.

So while the weather may feel a little more like fall, now is not the time to resume burning. Please continue to hold off on all outdoor burning until burn restrictions are lifted.

Thank you for helping us protect our community. We appreciate everyone doing their part to help prevent wildfires. Let’s keep looking out for one another.

09/01/2026

🚨August Calls for Service🚨

August was a difficult and demanding month for communities across our region.

Our crews responded to 478 calls for service in August, 91 more calls than the same month last year, representing an increase of nearly 24%.

At the same time, our region was facing the devastating Spokane-area wildfires. Families were losing homes, communities were being evacuated, and firefighters and emergency responders from across the region were working around the clock to protect people and property.

Not every call we answered was connected to the fires, but August was a powerful reminder of how quickly our community can be called upon to respond when people need help.

We’re incredibly proud of our firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and support staff who continued answering the call, both here at home and alongside agencies throughout the region.

And to our community, thank you. Your support, trust and encouragement mean more than you know.

We’re honored to serve you, especially when you need us most.

08/27/2026

Update @ 2:45 pm: Fire was stopped at 1.5 acres. It is 100% handlined. DNR will be investigating.

Update @2 pm: Crews on scene have forward progression stopped.

Crews are on the scene of a brush fire on the 16000 block of Lower Green Bluff Rd. Please avoid the area.

08/26/2026

National Dog Day | Meet K9 Chardonnay

Today we’re celebrating a very special member of the SCFD4 family, K9 Chardonnay, our Ignitable Liquid Detection Canine.

Chardonnay has a serious job. When a fire is suspicious or the cause is uncertain, her incredible nose helps fire investigators locate potential traces of ignitable liquids, including gasoline and other accelerants that may be difficult to find. Her work can help investigators identify areas where evidence may be collected and sent to the laboratory for confirmation.

And Chardonnay doesn’t just serve SCFD4. She is currently the only working K9 of her kind in our region and is available to assist neighboring fire districts with their fire investigations when her skills are needed.

Her handler and Dad, Chief Jared Harms, is constantly training with her, keeping her skills sharp and strengthening the partnership they rely on at fire scenes. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a pretty special bond.

Around the office, she gets plenty of belly rubs, back rubs and love whenever she stops by. It’s hard to have a bad day when Chardonnay is around.

Four paws, an incredible nose and one very important job. We’re pretty lucky to have her on our team.

Happy National Dog Day, Chardonnay! 🐾

08/26/2026

📓 BACK TO SCHOOL THIS WEEK!✏️

Welcome back, students! It’s hard to believe that summer is winding down and a new school year is here!

To our students, teachers, staff, and families, we hope you have a great start to the school year. Here’s to new classrooms, new adventures, old friends, new friends, and plenty of learning along the way.

From all of us at Spokane County Fire District 4, have a great school year!

08/22/2026

High winds, lightening and new fire starts are possible. Stay weather aware. We’re here and ready to serve our community.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of the region in a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms today (Saturday). The main threat of strong, to isolated severe storms will be between 12 PM-9 PM. Potential impacts include isolated wind gusts of 50-60 MPH, frequent lightning, and new fire starts.

08/20/2026

We are monitoring a period of active weather that will result in elevated to critical fire concerns. There remains some uncertainty in the exact timing and coverage of thunderstorms, but the current forecast suggests isolated thunderstorms over the Cascades late Friday night becoming scattered across the Inland Northwest on Saturday. Saturday afternoon into the early evening will also bring a period of dry and gusty winds. Do your part to prevent sparks.

08/18/2026

Today, we recognize the men and women who choose to give their time, skills, and heart to serving their communities.

Our volunteer firefighters are your neighbors, friends, coworkers, and community members who answer the call when others need help. They volunteer because they believe in giving back, helping others, and being there for the people in the communities they call home.

We’re grateful for every volunteer who has answered the call and continues to serve Fire District 4 and our community.

Learn more about volunteering with Fire District 4:
https://scfd4.org/recruitment/

Happy National Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day, and thank you for serving.

08/18/2026

Member Spotlight: Chaplain Tim

Tim has been serving Spokane County Fire District 4 since 2022, first as a volunteer firefighter before transitioning to Volunteer Chaplain in 2023. Outside of District 4, Tim is a career firefighter with the City of Spokane Fire Department.

Originally from Washington's lower Yakima Valley, Tim and his wife, Aubrey, moved to the Spokane area when he was hired by the City of Spokane Fire Department in 2016. Today, they enjoy life on their small farm with their one-year-old son, Tate, along with cattle, cats, dogs, and chickens. When he's not chasing Tate or caring for the property, Tim enjoys a round of golf.

Tim chose to become a chaplain because it allows him to serve the community where he lives while also serving in his ministry. For him, being a chaplain is about showing up for people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. "As a Chaplain, our primary role is simply to be a presence during difficult times. If I can help bring comfort to citizens and support our fire crews, it's incredibly rewarding."

Having served as both a firefighter and chaplain, Tim brings a unique perspective to the scenes he responds to. He understands what our crews are experiencing while also being able to step outside the emergency response and focus on the people and families involved. "As a Chaplain, I get a front row seat to watch the skill and professionalism of our fire crews in action. With the perspective of a full-time firefighter, I am proud of the quality of work Spokane County Fire District 4 provides. We are blessed to have first responders who truly care about the people they serve."

When asked what he would tell someone considering volunteering, Tim's answer is simple: "Jump in! We need more individuals to contribute to our community."

A Few Fun Facts About Tim:
• Dream dinner guest: J.R.R. Tolkien.
• Dream vacation: Scotland, for the historic golf courses, bagpipes, and maybe a search for the Loch Ness Monster.
• Past or future? Neither. "I'd rather keep trying to do my best and be present in the present."
• Favorite meal: Chicken Alfredo.

Thank you, Tim, for answering the call to serve not only as a firefighter, but as a steady presence for people during some of their most difficult moments. We're grateful to have you on the District 4 team.