VIDEO: Community members were forced to make new plans Tuesday after learning Lewisville Regional Park was closed for the day because of a fire that destroyed its largest picnic shelter.

“We just found out when we got here,” David Rogers said.

The Central Shelter went up in flames around 1 a.m., according to Clark County officials.

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue responded but ultimately – the building was deemed a complete loss.

How the fire started is unknown.

However, the fire district said it “appears to be suspicious in nature.”

The county fire marshal and sheriff’s office are investigating it as a possible arson.

“If that’s what it was, that’s scary, especially out here,” visitor Athena Anderson said. “It’s more rural … not in the city, so you just kind of feel like it’s safer.”

Susan Baxter-Harwell, county parks and nature superintendent, spent the morning on scene.

She called the fire “devastating” considering how old the shelter is.

KPTV FOX 12 Portland

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The Spokane Fire Department’s swiftwater rescue team recently conducted training in the Bowl and Pitcher area of the Spokane River as crews prepared for a busier summer on the water.

The department said more people are expected to be in the river during the upcoming season, which can lead to more rescue calls.

Fire officials noted that river conditions can shift quickly, even when water flow appears low, highlighting that strong currents and other hazards can still be present.

The department urged people to wear a personal flotation device while on the water and to call 911 immediately if someone goes missing in the river.

KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane

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The Sarnia story on its vintage rig is just one of hundreds of vintage rigs that are with us today. Whether the rigs are still with their original department or have been obtained by private collectors, they all have stories to tell.

The post A New Home for a Department’s Vintage Rig appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

E-ONE is expanding its Ocala campus with a $23.5 million project to boost aerial apparatus production.

The post E-One Breaks Ground on $23.5M FL Expansion; New Facility will Boost Aerial Apparatus Production appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Baker City fire union officials have concerns over a fire engine rotation plan.

The post Baker City (OR) Fire Union, Council Spar Over Plan to Rotate Fire Engine Use appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.