7/7/2021 Andrus AM Update

 Cheney, WA – Overnight crews worked to extinguish hot spots and secure perimeter
lines. Today firefighters are watching the weather closely and prepared to address any
new activity on and around the fire. The focus is to work on snags (trees that have
burned and are ready to fall), fire line strengthening, and gridding the fire for any
additional hotspots. This important work will help containment numbers to rise. Current
containment on the fire is 20%.

Level 1 & 2 evacuation orders remain in place.  Due to the evacuation levels being
lowered roads that were previously closed are only open to local residents. If you do
not live in the area, please adhere to the road closures and stay clear. For current
evacuation orders please see Spokane County Department of Emergency
Management (DEM) Facebook page.

There are approximately 210 firefighters from all over the state working on the
fire and there have been no injuries or structures lost.

The Red Cross shelter at Medical Lake High School is now closed.  Spokane
County Fairgrounds is still open for livestock.  While we appreciate the outpouring
of generosity, there are no current needs for donations for the firefighting efforts. 
Individuals who want to donate items should contact their local food panties or
local charities.    

The Andrus Fire started Monday July 5th at approximately 11:30 am near Andrus Rd.
The fire spread quickly due to low relative humidity and unseasonably dry conditions.
Firefighters from Fire District 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, Airway Heights Fire, Spokane City Fire,
Spokane Valley Fire, Lincoln County, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and
numerous other agencies were critical in slowing the spread of the fire. Agencies
from around the state are now on scene to work on mop up operations. The
collaborative efforts and teamwork between the agencies were critical in slowing
fire spread and working to mitigate the incident to its completion.

Fire information and the incident command post is located at Cheney middle
School in Cheney, WA. Fire information contact is Don Malone at (509) 822-8125
or Jeff Sevigney at (509) 993-2946 or you can also follow us on Facebook
@NEWIMT3 or on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7607/