The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requests the public’s help in solving a series of suspicious wildfire starts.

Since June, there have been 25 suspicious wildfire starts in Spokane and Stevens counties. Local fire protection agencies are asking citizens to report any suspicious activities they may have observed. Of particular interest are the areas around Chewelah, Deer Park, Ford, and Springdale.     

“We’ve had an unusually high number of suspicious fire starts in these counties, which is prompting us to ask for the public’s help,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland. “We know the public can be very observant, and we need to hear about any unusual activity in the forests.”  

Fire crews were busy in the Chattaroy area in July when almost a dozen of brush fires were allegedly started by two people throwing lighted materials out of a white pickup truck.

Pat Humphries, the public information officer for Spokane County Fire District No. 4, said those fires were truly the only suspicious ones in the area this summer.

DNR Natural Resource Investigator Al Gallanger said, “If you see smoke, pay attention to vehicles in the area. Write down the license plate number, color, make and model of vehicles, and how many people were in the vehicle.”

State and local agencies also warn citizens to be extra careful with their use of fire in the forest.

“Fire danger is very high in the forests right now. Wildfires endanger lives and property, as well as the safety of our firefighters,” Gallanger added.

To report suspicious activities, the public is asked to call DNR’s Northeast Region staff at 509-684-7474 during business hours.