Mica firing range reopens

A firing range near Mica has reopened after a small fire prompted Spokane County Fire District No. 8 to close it down briefly and re-evaluate its fire-prevention measures.

After a half acre of grass and small trees ignited Aug. 15 several residents asked fire commissioners at their last meeting to crack down on what they perceived as fire risks at the Mica range, used by the Spokane Valley Rifle and Pistol Club. According to the board minutes, some felt they were in danger because a fire near the range could block the only road out of the area.

Investigators believe the fire started after someone fired an incendiary round into the range, said Deputy Chief Dan Blystone. The military-surplus ammunition is used as a tracer for firing at night, but unlike lead bullets they produce sparks that can start fires, he said.

“We required that the range supervisor inspect the rounds before they are used and prohibited the use of any surplus military ammunition,” Blystone said.

Before the range opened again Aug. 18, the district also required it to keep some basic materials on hand to extinguish a fire and make it harder for unauthorized people to get into one of the shooting areas.

The Rifle and Pistol Club has both a rifle range and a special area set up for tactical shooting about 2 1/2 miles east of Mica near the intersection of Belmont and Jons roads. Local shooting clubs, law enforcement and the public practice there, and the facility regularly hosts competitive shooting matches.

The range has been in operation for almost 30 years and in that time has had three small fires – fewer than have been caused by lightning strikes in the area, Blystone said.

Still, dry conditions have many people on edge about the possibility of brush fires, he said.

Others who live nearby have tried to have the range closed in the past, claiming it’s a nuisance.