‘It takes a toll’

Fireworks, wind fuel busiest night of the year for Grant County Fire District 7

SOAP LAKE — As Grant County Fire District 7's engines rolled down Main Avenue during Soap Lake's Fourth of July parade, firefighters waved to families lining the streets while candy flew from open truck windows and brush rigs sprayed spectators baking in the summer heat. Then the sirens came on. Before crews could even complete the parade route, they were turning their trucks around and heading toward the first reported brush fire of the day, west of town. For the firefighters, the call marked the end of the holiday celebration and the beginning of what would become one of the busiest nights in recent memory, according to Chief Erick Brittain.