In a field on the outskirts of Spokane, Wash., Peter Goldmark points across to a charred, rocky hillside where the Little Spokane fire burned dangerously close to the city limits earlier this month. He says the wildfire was relatively small but had huge potential for destruction. Like many Western cities, greater Spokane has been home to rapid growth in recent years, and the forests surrounding the footprint of the Little Spokane blaze are cluttered with subdivisions, shopping centers and golf courses.
- PUB DATE: 7/22/2015 5:57:13 AM - SOURCE: Northwest Public Radio

Patients in Samaritan Healthcare may see a different ambulance when they travel between hospitals. The Moses Lake City Council approved an agreement with the firefighters union to temporarily stop transporting non-emergency patients from Samaritan Healthcare. Interim City Manager Gilbert Alvarado said the agreement is contingent on American Medical Response (AMR) handling the transportation from the hospital.
- PUB DATE: 7/22/2015 3:11:47 AM - SOURCE: iFiberOne

This has been one of the hottest and driest summers on record in the state of Washington, causing fires to pop up almost everywhere in the western part of the state. Central Pierce Fire and Rescue has seen an unprecedented number of fires in the last few weeks and firefighters working to keep up with the pace.
- PUB DATE: 7/21/2015 8:37:42 PM - SOURCE: Northwest Cable News

With the increase we have seen in fires lately, you may feel safer knowing that a new fire station opened giving local firefighters more resources to work with on your behalf. The new station stands in a critical location on duportail street near queensgate in one of the fastest growing areas in richland.
- PUB DATE: 7/21/2015 8:31:34 PM - SOURCE: KAPP-TV Yakima

A former Everett firefighter accused of planning to meet an underage girl for sex in West Seattle last year pled guilty Monday to three charges in the case. David "Pete" Vier was arrested last November during an online sting targeting men looking for sex with underage girls. Police say Vier replied to an undercover detectives ad on a personals section of a fetish website and agreed to pay $150 to have sex with an underage prostitute.
- PUB DATE: 7/21/2015 5:46:24 PM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000