May is wildfire prevention month, and the city of Gig Harbor is doing what it can to prepare for wildfire season. To make sure your home or neighborhood is prepared for the coming fire season, the Pierce Conservation District, East Pierce Fire & Rescue, Orting Valley Fire, Greenwater Fire and Washington State Department of Natural Resources have teamed up for a Virtual Firewise Seminar that will take place May 25 at 6 p.
- PUB DATE: 5/23/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The News Tribune

Last week, three bear cubs returned to their natural habitat. The bears were badly burned during last year's wildfires near Lake Chelan and Cedar Creek. Rich Beausoleil, a bear and cougar specialist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, was involved in the capture of the injured cubs last year.
- PUB DATE: 5/23/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS News Yakima

Crews at Fairchild Airforce Base here in Spokane were training firefighters amid the upcoming fire season. One training activity included digging fire lines, which is used to expose the soil with the hopes of stopping the spread of a wildfire. They are getting hands-on training, helping address the problem the best way they can.
- PUB DATE: 5/22/2022 4:22:28 PM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4 Spokane

The County of Brant will celebrate the official opening of three (3) new Fire Stations; the Scotland Fire Station, Onondaga Fire Station and Cainsville Fire Station. The community is welcomed to attend these upcoming celebrations.

“County of Brant residents rely on the quick action of over 185 firefighters when a crisis strikes. Whether they are fighting fires, responding to emergencies or engaged in rescue efforts, the highly skilled Fire team provides a critical service to the community,” said Fire Chief Geoff Hayman. “We are very pleased with the new Fire Stations and the functionality the spaces offer to the local fire service.”

The official openings include:

• Scotland Fire Station, 83 Simcoe St., on Saturday, May 28, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
• Onondaga Fire Station, 734 Hwy #54, Saturday, June 18, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
• Cainsville Fire Station, 17 Ewart Ave, on Saturday, June 25, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm

A plaque unveiling, hose cutting ceremony and tours will be part of the events.

The opening of the library kiosk located at the Onondaga Fire Station will also be celebrated. Children are invited to attend the event and participate in a craft with Library staff on June 18, 2022. The Library Kiosk offers 24/7 access to bestselling books and DVDs for kids and adults. Staff will be on hand to offer demonstrations and library card signup.

For those interested in attending the Onondaga Fire Station celebration, please park across the road at the Onondaga Park and a shuttle will be provided through Brant Transit to transport you safely to the Fire Station. Please note, face coverings are required on Brant Transit.

The County of Brant would like to thank The Ventin Group Ltd. and Abcott Construction Ltd for designing and constructing the new Fire Stations.

“The three (3) new Fire Stations meet all facility needs now and into the future,” said Hayman. “The Fire Stations now have expanded apparatus bay capacity, office space for Officers, large training rooms, diesel extraction system for the apparatus, and back-up power for power outages.”

In total, the County of Brant has eight (8) fire stations including Paris, Airport, Burford, Cainsville, Mount Pleasant, Onondaga, Scotland and St. George and respond to approximately 800 calls each year.

The Kennett Fire Department and city officials Wednesday broke ground for the department’s future $3.7M Station 2.

The new facility will be located at 1701 First St. and will replace a station built in 1960. The predecessor will be demolished, and construction on the new digs will commence in late July, officials say.

The work is expected to take the better part of a year, and the funding comes via two community development block grants and a USDA loan.