Fires in same Post Falls park capture responders' attention

POST FALLS - Two fires in as many days in Treaty Rock Park have raised the eyebrows of police and firefighters.

The brush fires were reported around 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday along a dirt trail in the central part of the park off Interstate 90 and Spokane Street.

"In both cases they grew to about 20-by-20 feet," said Jeryl Archer, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue fire marshal. "Both were along the main walkway in the park."

The cause of the fires, which occurred about 3 feet apart directly across the trail from each other, are under investigation.

"They were most likely set," Archer said. "We can rule out that they were naturally-caused. We're not willing to call them an arson as it's an open investigation."

Archer said there was nothing in the area that would have accidentally caused the fires.

The fires burned only grass and light brush, not trees.

The fires were in a shady area, so the threat wasn't as bad as many dry areas, Archer said.

"But the general fire conditions are worse than they normally are this time if year," he said.

Those with information or who see suspicious activity are encouraged to call KCFR at 777-8500 or Post Falls Police at 773-3517.