Garfield County Sheriff's Office - WA State

Making Summer Memories Starts With Staying Safe.

Summer is officially here, and that means more time on the trails, at the lake, in our parks, and exploring the beautiful outdoors across the Inland Northwest.

Whether you're hiking, mountain biking, paddleboarding, camping, or just enjoying a walk in the park, one thing can make all the difference in an emergency:
📍 Knowing your location.

When you call 911, "I'm somewhere on the trail" can be a difficult starting point. In remote areas, trail systems, parks, and backcountry locations, describing exactly where you are isn't always easy.

That's why we encourage outdoor enthusiasts to download the free what3words app.

🌲 What is what3words?
The entire world is divided into 10-foot by 10-foot squares, and each square has a unique three-word address.
If you need help, simply share those three words with 911, and we can pinpoint your location with incredible accuracy—even in places without a street address.
✅ Great for hikers, bikers, campers, anglers, paddlers, and outdoor adventurers
✅ Works in parks, on trails, and in remote areas
✅ Helps first responders find you faster when every second counts
Before you head out this summer:
✔ Tell someone where you're going
✔ Bring water and charge your phone
✔ Check weather conditions
✔ Download the free what3words app

Because the best summer adventures are the ones that end safely.
📲 Learn more and download:

The what3words app | what3words Find, share and navigate to precise locations | what3words. Download the free what3words app to find, share and save exact locations using just three words.

Understanding the "Ready, Set, Go" Wildfire Warning System Wildfire season is upon us and it's important to understand the "Ready, Set, Go" warnings issued by first responders and officials.

***Owner found!***

🚨 KENNEL BOOKING ALERT 🚨

Our newest kennel containee must not have gotten the memo that The Alibi has been closed for a few years… because this good boy/girl was reportedly headed that way to wet their whistle with a local brew.
🍺🐾

Fortunately, a citizen intercepted the boozehound before things escalated into public intoxication or some kind of unpermitted happy hour.

This suspect is currently being held pending identification and release to their responsible party.

If this furry patron belongs to you, please contact Dispatch at 509-843-3494 to arrange pseudo bail (proof of ownership required).

Please share and help us reunite this wandering pub crawler with their people! 🐶

🔥 Fire Season is Here – Stay Alert, Stay Informed, and Report Fires Early 🔥

Please be aware of current fire danger conditions. While summer has only just begun, we are expecting a long and active fire season across our region.

Although the Tucannon Fire is not producing the noticeable smoke and ash that many residents observed yesterday, it is still actively burning. In addition to the Tucannon Fire, there were several significant fires throughout the region yesterday, including incidents in Spokane, on the Lewiston Hill, in the Silver Valley, Walla Walla County, and Franklin County, just to name a few.

Now is the time to take extra precautions:

✅ Avoid activities that could spark a fire, especially during hot, dry, or windy conditions.
✅ Ensure trailer chains are secured and not dragging on roadways.
✅ Properly extinguish campfires and follow any burn restrictions that may be in place.
✅ Never discard ci******es from a vehicle.
✅ Maintain defensible space around homes and outbuildings.

Early reporting saves lives, property, and natural resources. If you see smoke or a fire that appears unattended, report it immediately by calling 911.

For reliable fire information and situational awareness, we encourage residents to monitor local resources like Emergency Management, social media, USFS and AlertSense/Konexus. In addition we want to mention two resources we monitor here:

📱 Watch Duty – Real-time wildfire tracking, maps, alerts, and incident updates.
🌦️ National Weather Service – Fire weather watches, red flag warnings, wind forecasts, and other critical weather information.

Our firefighters, dispatchers, law enforcement officers, and emergency personnel are already hard at work protecting our communities. You can help by remaining vigilant, practicing fire safety, and reporting fires quickly.

Together, we can help keep Garfield County and our neighboring communities safe throughout fire season 2026.

Thank you, Asotin Co Fire and DNR. We couldn’t ask for better neighbors!

***Outage resolved***

There is a statewide, possibly nationwide issue with the 911 system currently. We are able to receive 911 calls but we have no mapping information and sometimes no phone number information. Landline and VOIP phones are coming through but different cell carriers are having problems. We tested Verizon (came through fine), T-Mobile (did not come through first time, came through second time), and AT&T (came through fine).

We will update with information as it becomes available.

If for some reason you call 911 and it isn't answered please disconnect and try again immediately. Or call our office number at 509-843-3494.

7 AM Update - Correction sent to graphic for forecast peak wind gusts

A cold front will sweep across the Inland Northwest on Tuesday bringing windy conditions with gusts up to 40-50 mph expected. Potential impacts will include strong cross winds for high profile vehicles, isolated tree damage, and blowing dust over portions of the Columbia Basin. Other hazards will include choppy lakes and wildfire spread. Make sure to wear life jackets and report any fires to local authorities.

And so it begins.

It's that time of year again. Temperatures across the Inland Northwest will gradually warm this weekend through early next week with highs on Monday in the mid 80s to mid 90s. On Tuesday, a dry cold front will bring elevated to critical fire weather conditions to the Inland Northwest. Any new fires in dry grasses can easily escape control and become very difficult to contain.

911 is one of the most important public services available, but many people are still unsure about when to call, what information to provide, or what happens after the call is made.

This short survey will help better understand public awareness and identify opportunities for education and outreach.

Sponsored by the WA State 911 Public Education Sub-Committee. For more info, visit 911info.wa.gov

Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/911-Survey