County asks volunteers not to travel to fires looking to help

Leave the firefighting to firefighters.

That’s the message from Spokane County Emergency Management, which is asking potential volunteers not to show up to area fires.

“The fire department, or any fire districts, cannot actually accept assistance from private citizens because they are not trained and that can be dangerous to all involved, including the volunteer,” said Gerry Bozarth, disaster recovery specialist at the county.

On Sunday, three fires in the Spokane area known as the Yale Road Fire, Wellesley Fire and Hart Road Fire sparked up, destroying thousands of acres and threatening dozens of homes.

Emergency crews quickly mobilized, and that’s when Bozarth says many people started showing up at at command posts and fire stations near the fire lines, asking if they could help.

Bozarth said the county appreciated the support from citizens, but wanted to remind people that only trained volunteer firefighters could assist in fighting the fire. Jeff Sevigney, public information officer for the Washington State Patrol, said dozens of volunteer firefighters from multiple departments responded to help.

There are other volunteer opportunities, such as helping at the Spokane County Fairgrounds, but even those are not looking for volunteers at this time, Bozarth said.

“If we have the potential to utilize them in some way, then we’ll give them a call,” Bozarth said. “Our hope is there might be some people who want to volunteer at different levels.”

Firefighters are also asking the community not to donate food and other supplies to local firefighting efforts, and instead consider donating to charities or food banks. Fire officials have contracts with caterers and companies that supply showers and other equipment, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The county is asking those who wish to volunteer in the future to call 211 and register. If volunteer opportunities open, those registered will be called for help.