U.S. 395 is back open after several fires between Eltopia and Connell. The fire near milepost 30 created so much smoke the Franklin County Sheriff's Office had to close the southbound lanes until visibility improved. Firefighters say the conditions made fighting the flames difficult. Chief Mike Harris with Franklin County Fire District #3 says, "We had a small fire burning on the road, but with the winds and the dry conditions we've had all week, the fire quickly took off.
- PUB DATE: 5/31/2017 8:58:12 AM - SOURCE: NBCRightNow.com

After 24 years of leading Prosser’s fire department, Doug Merritt is retiring from his position as chief. The West Benton Fire and Rescue chief leaves his spot Wednesday He joined the department in 1993, after coming from Selah. “The governance board thanks Chief Merritt for his dedication to the department through the years and wishes him well on his retirement,” said David Moon, the West Benton Regional Fire Authority board chairman.
- PUB DATE: 5/31/2017 2:56:30 AM - SOURCE: Mid-Columbia Tri-City Herald

After Olympia fire crews responded to a fire at the former Reliable Steel building last month, Olympia Assistant Fire Chief Rob Bradley decided something needed to be done to prevent future fires. That’s because it was the fourth fire at the West Bay Drive location since September. “Enough is enough,” said Bradley Tuesday, recalling his reaction after being called back to the site last month.
- PUB DATE: 5/31/2017 2:02:03 AM - SOURCE: Olympian

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson has named Timothy Key as interim Everett Fire Chief until a new mayor is elected this fall and can select their own. Key replaces Eric Hicks who resigned after serving as Chief for only four months. Key joined Everett Fire as a firefighter in 1995, and has served in a variety of roles, including acting driver, acting captain, paramedic and division chief.
- PUB DATE: 5/31/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: myeverettnews.com

Firefighters rescued an 83-year-old Lynden woman from the Nooksack River on Tuesday morning after she vanished from her home Monday night. Shirley Marie Assink was in satisfactory condition Tuesday afternoon at St. Joseph hospital, where she was taken by ambulance, a hospital official said. A missing person report was filed with Lynden Police for Assink, who disappeared from her home near downtown after going to her car for a sweater about 7 p.
- PUB DATE: 5/31/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Bellingham Herald