Fire killed 3,700 and injured 16,600 people in 2019. Direct property losses due to fire reached $14.8 billion a year. Firefighters paid a high price for this fire record as well; in 2019, 62 firefighters died on duty. America’s fire losses today represent a dramatic improvement from more than 40 years ago.
- PUB DATE: 8/27/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: American Security Today

Police and crime lab technicians began investigating Thursday the deaths of a couple inside their east Kennewick home. They are believed to be the parents of a 43-year-old suspected gunman who went on a deadly rampage Wednesday, killing his neighbor and wounding another man before igniting a series of fires.
- PUB DATE: 8/27/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Tri-City Herald - Metered Site

Miss Colfax Lorien Smith was so excited for her friend being named Miss Congeniality, she was stunned when Miss Washington for America Strong was named. "It was hitting me when they said last my name. It was a 'wait a minute. Did they just say what I think they said?'" Smith said. "I was in tears ..
- PUB DATE: 8/27/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Whitman County Gazette

Crews set controlled fires on Bethel Ridge on Wednesday evening to prevent the Schneider Springs Fire from moving south. The burn was scheduled for earlier in the day Wednesday but was postponed because conditions were not ideal. Firefighters hoped to continue the firing operation Thursday, but conditions were not favorable, fire information officer Kate White said.
- PUB DATE: 8/26/2021 6:49:49 PM - SOURCE: Yakima Herald-Republic

Progress is being made on fire station construction, reports HOIABC.com.

Officials say the fire station will be a one story building with space for two fire trucks and living quarters for six firefighters. The new building will include features for modern firefighting, and safety improvements like gear washing and solar panels.

The new fire station is intended to compensate for the loss of two fire stations due to budget cuts.

The new station was set to open in November of this year, but due to delays getting the materials to start the construction process, that date has been pushed back to February 2022.