VIDEO/PHOTOS: Fire crews have responded to 11 fires in the area of the Shadow Hawk and Royal Hills apartments in Renton since June, causing concern for residents who had a close call with the most recent blaze to break out. The new numbers come after a juvenile was suspected of starting a brush fire behind the Royal Hills apartment complex during peak fire season.

Renton Regional Fire Authority and Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority responded to the brush fire near the 3000 block of Royal Hills Drive Southeast around 5:30 p.m. Monday. Video from the scene showed firefighters working behind the apartment complex as flames burned underneath transmission lines. Crews were able to knock down the fire and prevent it from spreading to the complex.

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Tumbleweeds rolling across yards and piling against homes may seem like a quirk of life in the Tri-Cities, but local fire officials view them as a serious wildfire threat — and a regulatory problem.

Right now, Benton County residents can burn windblown tumbleweeds on their property without a permit or fee. That exemption exists only because the county’s population sits just under 250,000 people. As the Tri-Cities expand, that threshold could trigger new regulations that would burden homeowners and local governments with permitting requirements and potential fees.

“Once that exemption goes away due to our population threshold, then individuals would be required to obtain a permit, likely through the local Clean Air Authority, to do so. And that may come at a cost for those wanting to burn tumbleweed,” Heffner said.

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The Kennewick Fire Department is preparing for significant growth in the Southridge area by launching a recruitment effort for a new fire station that will reshape emergency response in the city.

Fire Station 6 is expected to open in late 2029 or early 2030, and the department will need to hire approximately a dozen new firefighters to operate the facility. Rather than bringing all new hires on at once, Fire Chief Michael Heffner said the department will stagger the hiring process over two years to ensure proper training and readiness.

“Bringing on a dozen firefighters all at once, it’s a big endeavor. So, like, we’re going to split that up over a period of two years to get them trained up,” Heffner said. The department plans to hire about half of the new firefighters in 2028, with the remaining positions filled in 2029. This timeline gives the fire department adequate time to train crews before Station 6 begins operating and serving the community.

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VIDEO: Bank of America announced Tuesday that it will direct $250,000 to the American Red Cross to support families, businesses and communities affected by the wildfires across Spokane and the Pacific Northwest. The funding will allow the American Red Cross to provide emergency shelter, meals, supplies and other critical assistance to those affected by fires across Washington, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Utah.

“The loss and destruction caused by these wildfires is heartbreaking,” Lauren Murray, Spokane and Boise market president, said. “Recovery will take time, and the impacts of these fires will be felt long after the flames are extinguished. Our thoughts are with the brave first responders and everyone affected as communities begin the process of rebuilding and healing.”

“Bank of America’s generosity helps Red Cross act quickly to support families impacted by disasters at a moment’s notice,” Anne McKeough, chief development officer at the American Red Cross, said. “As disasters like these wildfires become more frequent and intense, the Red Cross continues to count on extraordinary donors like Bank of America to help deliver hope and comfort to people and communities in times of great need.”

KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane

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Meta has pledged $8 million to the City of Piqua for emergency equipment, including fire trucks and police vehicles.

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