A state investigation into the Labor Day fire that burned 80% of the homes in in the Whitman County town of Malden blames a damaged tree that was blown into power lines. The report by the Department of Natural Resource alleges that a closer inspection of the tree was warranted. The report does not specifically blame Avista Utilities for not inspecting or removing the tree.
- PUB DATE: 5/19/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

Clearing fire fuels is critical to reducing the risk of wildfires in the summer months. Washington State’s Department of Natural Resources Landowner Program focuses on fire hazard abatement on private land. The program saw more landowners interested in participating in the program during the pandemic.
- PUB DATE: 5/19/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane

A man was arrested by Pasco Police for allegedly attempting to set fires outside the door of three apartments shortly after midnight on Monday. According to a Facebook post by the Pasco Police, officers responded to the 200-block of W Shoshone St. on Monday. There, officers made contact with the suspect — Edgar Rolon Rodriguez — in a smoky upper hallway.
- PUB DATE: 5/18/2021 5:39:25 PM - SOURCE: YakTriNews

Thomasville Fire Rescue was recently awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $248,000 that will be used to purchase SCBA equipment, reports Albany Herald.

The funding will be used for the purchase of 42 new Dragger Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus equipment. Funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the grant aims to provide direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments.

The purchase of new SCBA equipment is necessary in order to meet industry safety standards.

A package caused a hazmat incident at a fire station that send four people to the hospital, reports WCVB 5.

A resident who lived near by and opened a package. The resident saw chemicals in the package and brought it to the fire station. When firefighters saw the box, the fire station was evacuated.

Three adults and a child who lived in the home where the package was received were decontaminated as a precaution — along with two firefighters.