Should Kirklanders have spotted smoke in the skies this afternoon, there’s no reason for concern: the Kirkland Fire Department is running training exercises behind Station 26 in the North Rose Hill neighborhood.

The burn was part of the training academy, and served as a good visual for around 20 recruits during an exercise around 2:15 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 22.

The eight-by-eight structure was lightly furnished with a couch, chair, lamp and cupboard. The structure burned for three minutes, then was extinguished by firefighters on scene.

Kirkland Fire Marshal Mark Jung said he and Kirkland Fire Chief Joe Sanford looked at the risk factors for the training exercise, and concluded it was worth the danger. The dry grass and bushes behind the station were soaked with water before the burn began.

The burn ban remains in effect, as weeks of hot, dry weather have left the area parched. The ban, instituted on Thursday, Aug. 18, covers all open flame.