Newport Hospital & Health Services | Serving NE Washington and North Idaho

Controlled Live Fire Training

On Saturday June 15th at approximately 10:00 AM South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue will conduct a controlled live fire burn training exercise at 200 N. Scott Avenue in cooperation with Newport Hospital and Health Services.

Will roads near the controlled fire be closed?

Scott Avenue between Spruce Street and 1st Street will be closed to through traffic.
Pine Street will be closed to through traffic between North Scott Avenue and North Warren Avenue.

Can I go to the hospital to watch the burn?

No. The public is asked to avoid the area unless they are seeking medical services at the hospital or Newport Health Center.

Will patients be able to access the Emergency Room or other services at the hospital?

Yes, patients and ambulance transport will still have access to the Emergency Department and other services at Newport Community Hospital.
- Patients and ambulances accessing the emergency room should enter along North Cass Avenue through the upper parking lot.
- Life Flight has been notified of alternate landing zone options to avoid complications with patient transport from the Newport Community Hospital helipad.
Newport Health Center will be open for regular Saturday hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

I live in that area. If the smoke bothers me, is there somewhere I can go to avoid it?

Yes! Residents in the area can expect potential heavy smoke from the burn, so NHHS will open the Ponderosa Room for anyone who would like to avoid the smoke.
- The Ponderosa Room is located inside NHHS’s Annex Building (entrance located on the corner of Spruce and Scott). Click here for a map.
- Fire personnel expect the fire to be out and training complete by 4:00 p.m. on June 15th.

Why is NHHS burning the house?

Since plans included tearing down the house for additional parking, hospital administration decided that donating the live fire opportunity would provide invaluable training for local firefighters. SPOFR Chief Dan Williams said, “we appreciate NHHS making this building available for us to provide invaluable controlled live fire burn training for Pend Oreille and neighboring Fire Districts.”

Has advanced safety mitigation and prep work occurred onsite?

Yes. On Wednesday, June 5th, Chief Dan Williams and a representative from Spokane Fire District 4 inspected the house for possible hazards.
On Thursday, June 6th SPOFR Lieutenant Corey Toombs conducted Search and Rescue Rapid Intervention training (RIT) at the site.
Pre-work for the controlled live fire burn included removing working appliances and carpet, asbestos abatement, and acquisition of a burn permit from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

I’m interested in volunteering with South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue. Where do I get more information?

SPOFR has multiple volunteer options available and welcome your inquiry. Visit www.spofr.org or call the Diamond Lake Fire Station at (509) 447-5305 for more information.