Spokane Valley fire threatens eight homes

Eight homes are threatened by a wildfire that broke out this afternoon south of Spokane Valley. Spokane Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said the blaze along South Saltese Lake Road is about 15 acres. Flames are in the trees in hilly terrain. Residents of the eight homes have been told to be ready to leave at any moment but they haven’t been evacuated, Schaeffer said. Crews from the Spokane Valley and Spokane fire departments, Spokane County fire districts 8, 11 and 13 and the Department of Natural Resources are on scene. A plane has been dropping water onto the fire.