In late October 1947, residents of this small town on the Blue Hill Peninsula watched as ominous gray smoke rose high into the skies over Mount Desert Island. The summer had been bone dry—the state had only received about half its normal precipitation since the end of June—and a single careless spark might ignite a conflagration closer to home.
- PUB DATE: 10/24/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Penobscot Bay Press

Crews from Okanagan County Fire District 6 (OCFD) put out a wildland fire that threatened multiple homes on Saturday. According to a release from OCFD, a fire was reported just before 3 p.m., near Highway 153 and Benson Creek. When units arrived, they reported the fire was rapidly moving uphill. Due to wind and dry weather, the fire quickly crested the ridge and began moving towards Yellow Jacket Road, threatening 3 or 4 houses.
- PUB DATE: 10/24/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane

The recent downpour in the Pacific Northwest brought much-needed relief to the firefighters at the Nakia Creek Fire in Washington. CRESA announced Saturday morning that containment around the fire had increased by 13% to a total of 43%. “We were able to raise containment to about 43% percent -which is a great jump from 30% the day before,” said Natalie Weber from the Oregon Department of Forestry.
- PUB DATE: 10/24/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOIN-TV NBC 6 Portland

VIDEO: Firefighters spent the night keeping an eye on hot spots still burning at the Wilbur Ellis fertilizer plant, near Moses Lake, in Grant County. Firefighters responded to the plant around 4 p.m. on Sunday and found it fully engulfed in flames. No one was evacuated, but Grant County Health District (GCHD) has issued a Health Advisory for people living downwind (North-East) from the fire.
- PUB DATE: 10/23/2022 5:28:51 PM - SOURCE: KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane

Big Bear Fire Chief Jeff Willis is pleased to announce that Big Bear Fire Department has acquired a new ambulance. The department received delivery of MA-281, a 2022 Dodge 3500 4×4, on October 20, 2022.

Powered by a Cummins Diesel engine and manufactured by Braun Northwest, the new ambulance has the same configuration as others in the department’s fleet, which allows for standardization and a smooth transition in on-scene operations. The new ambulance is currently being stocked with medical supplies and equipment, and will go into service immediately.

The acquisition of the new ambulance was made possible as part of a larger financing package with favorable interest rates. The financing package enabled the Department to purchase this ambulance and other apparatus consisting of a new fire engine and fire truck, which are yet to be delivered. The new apparatus is part of a three-year fleet replacement plan of outdated units, and allows for the procurement of reliable and modern emergency vehicles that are within budget restrictions with payments over time through financing.

Once in service, the new ambulance will be housed at Station 281 in Big Bear Lake.