A Spokane County firefighter died Thursday while responding to a reported wildland fire that turned out to be a false alarm, officials with Spokane County Fire District 9 said Monday.
Lt. Cody Traber, an 18-year firefighter with the district serving Mead and areas north of the city of Spokane, fell from the Wandermere Bridge while trying to get a better vantage point to spot a reported brush fire in the area of Highway 395 and Wandermere Road. Wildfire Division Chief Bobby Shindelar said no foul play is suspected.
District 9 firefighters were dispatched around 9:45 p.m. Thursday after a passerby called Spokane County Fire Dispatch to report a wildland fire, Shindelar said. Cates said the call has been officially recognized as a “good intent call.”
Unable to spot evidence of a fire near the location, Traber and two other firefighters aboard District 9 Engine 92 moved to the Wandermere bridge to get a better vantage point.