LEWISTON, ID – The Lewiston Fire Department will conduct live fire training exercises at 805 Stewart Avenue, located at the corner of Thain Road and Stewart Avenue, from November 10 through November 20, according to a notice sent to nearby residents and businesses.

Training burns using wood pallets and straw will begin shortly after 8 a.m. on November 10, 11, and 12. Officials say smoke should be minimal, but fire crews will need access to nearby hydrants. As a result, Stewart Avenue will be closed from Thain Road to 8th Street, and 8th Street from Stewart Avenue to Preston Avenue during this period.

From November 14 through 19, crews will perform ventilation training, which may involve cutting holes in the roof or interior of the structure.

On November 20, the department will ignite the structure and allow it to burn completely. Large volumes of smoke are expected during this final exercise, though most should rise above the property and move away from neighboring buildings. Nearby residents and business owners are advised to close windows that morning, as wind conditions could occasionally carry smoke into nearby areas.

The department emphasized the training is a controlled exercise designed to enhance firefighter skills and public safety.

The building, currently owned by Steve Carlton, was last occupied by radio stations KMOK-FM, KVTY-FM and KRLC-AM.  The stations were purchased by McVey Entertainment Group from Idavend Broadcasting in 2021.  KMOK and KVTY were relocated to McVey’s Snake River Avenue location in 2023.  Around the same time, KRLC, which had been broadcasting since 1935, was permanently taken off the air.

Before selling the stations, Idavend Broadcasting had operated from the building at 805 Stewart Avenue since the 1980s.