Winter months increase the risk of structure fires

During the winter months, the use of electricity and heating increases — this also escalates the risk of structure fires.

In an email, Debby Dobson, division chief, and district education officer for Spokane County Fire District 3, said most structure fires occur because of additional heating appliances being used in homes.

“These fires are often caused by unattended cooking, overloading electrical circuits, damaged stove pipes, ashes placed on porches and other preventable incidents,” Dobson said. “We get particularly worried when there are extended power outages and the extreme temperatures...