The National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) issued a safety bulletin asking wildfire resources to take a 10-minute safety stand-down to check their fire shelters and ensure they meet required Agency standards.

This comes after “non-specification” fire shelters have been found on multiple incidents this year. I have confirmed with the Agency that what has been found is non-compliant, Chinese-made knockoffs. In the most recent case, during a compliance check, these shelters were found on a contract crew.

All wildfire resources are being asked to inspect their shelters before the end of the shift TODAY, July 13, 2026.

This issue came up back in 2023 after knock-off shelters were found boldly claiming to be NWCG-compliant. NWCG issued a safety bulletin in March of that year addressing the problem. However, these new counterfeit shelters have different identifying markers than those found in 2023.

NWCG clearly states that while these counterfeit shelters have been found on multiple incidents this year, none have been involved in entrapments or deployments.

The Hotshot Wake Up

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According to Chelan County, evacuation orders for the ‘Transfer Fire’ near Lake Chelan have been lowered to ‘Get Set’. Early Sunday afternoon, officials urged residents to “get out now” and issued a Level 3 Evacuation Order, the highest available. Sunday evening, the county lowered its orders.

This does not mean the fire is out. Level 2 evacuations ask that those near the fire be ready to evacuate on short notice if needed, but may not need to leave immediately. The ‘Transfer Fire’ was impacting Willmorth Drive, Edwin Road, Isenhart Road, Columbia View Road and Atkins Heights Lane. It was burning near the Chelan Transfer Station.

There are also Level 2 – Be Ready – evacuation orders for Columbia View Road and Atkins Heights Lane. The sheriff’s office is asking people in all of those areas to prepare to leave if conditions worsen.An emergency center is opening at the United Methodist Church at 206 Emerson Street, Chelan.

An emergency center is a short-term location where people affected by a fire can find safety, information, and resources while they determine their next steps. This is different than an emergency shelter, which is a longer-term location that provides meals, a safe place to sleep, and ongoing support for people displaced by a fire. If needed, the center may transition into a shelter. No word yet on a cause of the fire.

KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

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A massive fire broke out and spread rapidly between three buildings in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on Sunday, sending heavy smoke into the sky as firefighters from more than 20 neighboring departments battled the blaze for hours.

Lawrence police urged the public to avoid Haverhill Street at Margin Street while firefighters worked to contain the flames. Lawrence Fire Chief Patrick Delaney said crews were first called to the scene around 12:45 p.m.

“We had three occupied dwellings all with heavy fire,” he said. “The primary concern making sure everybody was out of these buildings. Next was getting some aerials in place, establishing water supplies and getting our members up.”

Delaney said one person was rescued from a third-floor window and taken to the hospital. Their condition wasn’t immediately clear. The mayor’s office later said two people had been transported to hospitals for evaluation, but that there were no serious injuries reported.

“This is one of those days that reminds us what it truly means to serve our community,” Mayor Brian A. DePeña said in a statement. DePeña specifically expressed his appreciation to the 22 mutual aid fire companies that responded to assist Lawrence firefighters throughout the incident, as well as the Lawrence Police Department for helping secure the scene and maintain public safety.

WBTS-CD NBC 10 Boston

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VIDEO: San Francisco first responders are raising concerns about autonomous vehicles blocking emergency routes and delaying response times, prompting city leaders to explore additional accountability measures for self-driving car companies.

The concerns come three years after the California Public Utilities Commission allowed Waymo and Cruise to expand self-driving vehicle operations in San Francisco. Since then, hundreds of autonomous vehicles have become part of daily life in the city, but firefighters say they have also created challenges during some emergency responses.

“Anytime we are blocked by any autonomous vehicle that matters, and we don’t want that to continue to happen,” said Mariano Elias of the San Francisco Fire Department. The department has been documenting incidents involving autonomous vehicles for years, according to Elias.

KGO-TV ABC 7 San Francisco

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Ten people and several family pets were forced from their homes after their apartment caught on fire in Everett. It happened on July 10 at the Olin Fields Apartments on Holly Drive. According to the fire department, three units were burned.

The primary fire damage occurred in a ground-floor unit, while the second- and third-floor apartments above sustained mostly smoke damage. The quick work of firefighters prevented the fire from extending into the attic. No one was hurt.

Social workers from the City’s CARE Team are assisting those affected and connecting them with the American Red Cross for additional support. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

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