Skagit County has moved to a "Substantial" COVID transmission level Thursday, up from "Moderate" last week. Health officials say Skagit County's case rate has increased by 111%, and the hospitalization rate has increased by 50% in the last seven days. Fortunately, no new COVID related deaths in the county have been reported this week.
- PUB DATE: 5/5/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13 Seattle

Lily Dashner and people with stories of her ilk are the reason why nearly all firefighters get into the profession. It’s not for any other reason than to help people. And hearing those stories never gets old.

It all came full circle Saturday evening—18 years later—at Austin Fire Department’s Station 2. Dressed to the nines en route to prom, Dashner regaled crew members with her story of how in 2003 Captain Brandon Jennings (now at Investigations), Captain Ed Roel (now at Ladder 36/B shift), Lieutenant Mike Lemerise (now retired), and Firefighter Ed Roberts (now retired) saved her life when she was born prematurely.

Now a high school senior, she shared how, while growing up, she always wanted to see “her fire truck number 2” driving down the road.

“Many times, we never know the impact our actions may have on a family,” a Facebook post reads. “But on Saturday, we got the privilege to meet one of our greatest success stories. Thank you to Lily and her family for taking the time to share what were surely difficult memories, and for letting us meet a real-life happy ending.”

In preparation of the upcoming wildfire season, and following the devastating 2020 Creek Fire which destroyed 856 structures from September 4 to Christmas Eve, the Fresno County Fire Protection District, CalFire, has donated a fire engine to the Bald Mountain Fire Protection District.

The apparatus, a 1999 International Type 1 engine, was recently delivered. See pics below:

Suamico woman Serena Thompson is facing multiple charges after some early-morning shenanigans highlighted by an attempt to steal a fire truck, reports wearegreenbay.com.

A criminal complaint says on Saturday around 5:45 a.m. first responders were dispatched to Pine Street after multiple fire alarms were pulled. As the Green Bay Fire Department was investigating, Thompson approached a police officer with an object in her hand.

The 23-year-old, allegedly in a manic state, reportedly told the officer that someone was trying to kill her, the report says. She then made her way toward an unoccupied apparatus and was able to gain entry.

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However, arriving officers were able to put down spike strips behind the fire truck. She was eventually tased and transported to the hospital. At the hospital, methamphetamines were found on her.

It’s believed that she pulled the fire alarms.

She’s still facing charges from a March incident during which she threatened to kill someone. For those of you scoring at home, she’s sitting on charges of:

• Computer Message-Threaten/Injury or Harm
• Bail Jumping
• Possession of Methamphetamine
• Obstructing an Officer
• Disorderly Conduct

With her repeat offenses, she faces a maximum of more than 23 years in prison. Court records show that Thompson was scheduled for a competency hearing on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

One by one, the firefighters pour the diesel-gasoline mix out of their big red drip torches and set the forest aflame. They start a tidy line of small fires first, then fan out, lighting up slash piles and dead brush here and there. The woods get warm. Sap crackles and pops. Within minutes the bright green hillside is covered in wind-blown waves of light gray smoke.
- PUB DATE: 5/4/2022 12:33:00 PM - SOURCE: Yakima Herald-Republic