The Hart and Cayuse Fires burning in Stevens and Lincoln County are burning on both sides of the Spokane River up north.
It began as the Hart Fire near Davenport. When it jumped the river, the second fire became the Cayuse Fire, burning on the Spokane Indian Reservation. The Hart Fire is 4,200 acres and about 20 percent contained as of Wednesday. It has destroyed 26 outbuildings and damaged 13 more. The Cayuse Fire is much larger at about 18,000 acres. It is about 30 percent contained.
While neighbors say they are thankful for the help they have gotten from the community, critics are saying vital information has not been getting to those who need it. Access is very limited in a lot of places due to its remote location and thick forests. All of that has made this fire extremely difficult to fight. Especially in the first 24 to 48 hours, it made communications even more challenging.
Wellpinit Police Chief Jesse Moss said the last few days have tested the limits of the Spokane Indian Reservation. Reservation fire crews worked around the clock trying to stop the wildfire from spreading, while neighboring Stevens County fire crews, focused on structure protection. Some Stevens County leaders said communications were lacking on two fronts.