Spokane will pick up leaves, after record-setting early season snowfall

Never fear – the city hasn’t forgotten all those leaves piled in the streets beneath the blanket of the weekend snow.

Crews began leaf removal in Spokane on Monday in the Audubon neighborhood, according to a news release. The work takes about six weeks and targets leaves that have naturally fallen into the roadway. Residents are responsible for leaves that have fallen into yards, and the city asks residents not to rake their leaves into the street, as it can clog storm drains.

Work will continue on the north side of town, then move to the South Hill and then into downtown. Leaf-removal crews expect to finish in the middle of December.

The city asks residents to move their cars from the street during the day to allow sweeping crews to work through Nov. 19. Residents can call (509) 625-7737 for an automated message indicating where crews will be working, or visit the city’s website, spokanecity.org/streets/maintenance/leaf-pick-up.

The weekend snow, which set a daily record Sunday, is likely to melt away, revealing fall’s foliage once more.

After a chilly blast expected overnight Monday that should cause temperatures around the region to plummet into the teens, warmer conditions were forecast for the rest of the week. The National Weather Service predicted daytime highs topping 40 degrees through Sunday, with overnight lows hovering above the freezing mark.

Rain is in the forecast all week, with a chance of some slight snow showers overnight Wednesday. Little to no accumulation is anticipated.

Yard leaves can be deposited in curbside green waste bins within city limits. Leaves can also be dropped off at the city’s Waste to Energy facility, 2900 S. Geiger Blvd., between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. A fee of $5.25 is charged for the first 220 pounds of yard waste.