King County Fire District 20 (Skyway, West Hill) firefighters have been dispatched to Spokane to assist in the efforts in the Valley View Fire in Spokane.

The Valley View Fire last week was estimated at 1,200 acres and has burned at least eight homes. The deployment is for two weeks or less depending on the number of threatened structures, according to Dave Nelson, a district spokesman.

Firefighters from King County Fire District 11 (North Highline) were also deployed.

“Each year crews from Western Washington assist with fires in Eastern Washington has they are in the midst of their wildland fire season,” said Nelson.

“Western Washington’s season is in mid-August until the first major rainfall. Currently tall grasses such as those seen along the freeway are very dry and prone to fires,” Nelson added.

The public is reminded not to throw lit objects such as cigarettes out the window, he said.