Busy July 4 for Grant County Fire No. 5

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Fire District No. 5 crews responded to somewhere between 15 to 18 “fireworks-related outside fires” on July 4, according to fire district officials. In contrast, July 4 in Moses Lake was downright quiet.

Moses Lake Fire Department crews didn't get any fire calls on July 4, according to MLFD officials. City officials had placed a moratorium on lighting fireworks within the city. There were six medical calls but no fire calls. Fire District No. 5 crews answered 22 calls on July 4.

“We planned ahead,” staging fire trucks around the district, said fire captain Brent Haley. As a result, most fires were confined to about an acre or two. Three of the fires were more than 2 acres. No injuries were reported. A car was completely destroyed when fireworks debris in the trunk ignited.

“Brand new, three-day-old Chrysler 300,” Haley said. Fireworks had been used at the location where the car was parked, and someone swept up debris from the fireworks and put them in the trunk, he said. The remnants set the car on fire; it was a total loss.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.