More than 10.3 million acres of land were scorched by wildfires nationwide in 2020. Firefighters battling the harrowing flames often work shifts that exceed 24 hours, and they stay in close quarters in remote locations for weeks at a time, offering a prime opportunity for COVID-19 to spread. In addition, firefighters in urban areas as well as in wildlands routinely are exposed to smoke, carbon monoxide, toxins from structure fires and other hazards to lung health.
- PUB DATE: 4/19/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Fairfield Sun Times

VIDEO: Two people were killed Saturday night in a fiery crash involving a Tesla, according to Harris County Pct. 4 Constable Mark Herman. This happened at about 11:25 p.m. in the Carlton Woods Subdivision on Hammock Dunes Place. Constable Herman said the 2019 Tesla Model S was traveling on a roadway and at some point, the vehicle, which deputies said was traveling at a high rate of speed, came to a slight curve.
- PUB DATE: 4/19/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KHOU-TV CBS 11 Houston

The 1906 earthquake in San Francisco struck on April 18 at 5:12 a.m., registering a massive 7.9M on the Richter scale — killing more than 3,000 and leaving a trail of fires that destroyed 80% of the city. Sunday morning, San Francisco erupted in celebration to commemorate the day but to also usher in hope.
- PUB DATE: 4/19/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: SFIST

A firefighter was bitten by an African serval cat while crews were responding to a house fire in the Felida area of Clark County. According to a release from Clark County Fire District 6, neighbors called to report a fire at a home on NW 38th Avenue. The fire was contained in 25 minutes and there were no injuries from the fire reported.
- PUB DATE: 4/19/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KGW-TV NBC 8 Portland

A town's best friend and community icon is being remembered by the Naches Fire Department with a display case in his honor. For nearly 30 years Scott "Scooter" Lounsbury volunteered as a fire fighter in the small town. Too many, he was the pillar of what it meant to be a friend. "Scott was that kinda guy, he would be a poster child for that," Alan Baird, chief of Naches Fire said.
- PUB DATE: 4/19/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS/CW+ 29 Yakima