SPOKANE, Wash. – A local triathlon group called Team Blaze led the effort to clean headstones at the Greenwood Cemetery that were covered in flame retardant from the Upper Cemetery Fire.
The fire burned in West Spokane off Government Way last week.
During the firefighting efforts Friday, some retardant hit two of the Greenwood Memorial Terrace lawns. This caused many stains on the tombstones.
“We had been holding our breaths with tension over the weekend with the fire going on,” said Teresa Birch.
Three of Birch’s children are buried at the Greenwood Cemetery. She said she was very concerned when she heard about the fire and what it would mean for the cemetery.
“To us, it is important because it is a place we come to remember,” Birch said.
Birch was one of around 20 volunteers who came out to help clean up the cemetery Wednesday.
Jay Hune has been working alongside the rest of the groundskeepers to clean up the damage. He said the clean up has taken a lot of effort, and is grateful for Team Blaze’s help.
“Greatly appreciate them coming out to help because there is a lot of work that needs to be done,” Hune said.
June Hobson, the volunteer coordinator for Team Blaze, said it’s the first time they have done community service like this and she’s glad they are doing it.
“It is something that needs to be done to protect the cemetery,” Hobson said. “We are just here to help do a reset.”
Although this evening’s clean up was not enough to get all of the stains off, volunteers said they hope their efforts inspired others to do the same.
For those like Birch, it could mean the world.
“My lost children are a part of me,” she said. “I don’t have to be here for it, but I still have to take care of it.”
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