A 38-year-old man riding an offroad motorbike was critically injured after a fiery crash with a sedan in a residential neighborhood near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Pierce County. The collision happened near the intersection of 106th Street S and 19th Avenue Court S in Parkland, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement and medical personnel were alerted to the incident around 2:32 p.m. Sunday.

Deputies said witness statements indicate the driver of the unlicensed motorbike was speeding through the neighborhood when he collided with a sedan. The sedan had the right-of-way and was making a turn when the collision occurred, deputies said. The impact caused both vehicles, as well as the motorbike rider, to catch fire. A bystander used a dry chemical fire extinguisher to help put out the flames on the motorbike rider, who suffered severe burns and was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the sedan was not injured, according to investigators, and no charges or arrests were made.

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

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VIDEO: Wildfire smoke is settling over parts of western Washington as haze and high temperatures move into the region, creating dangerous conditions for firefighters and residents alike. In Darrington, volunteer firefighter Ryder Miller is preparing for what could be a demanding stretch of heat and smoke. When the call comes in, he’ll be carrying 50 pounds of gear into conditions that can reach 800 degrees inside a burning building.

“I’m just thinking about how I’m going to deal with it and what challenges to overcome,” Miller said. By noon Tuesday, temperatures in Darrington had already reached 91 degrees — a dangerous mark not just for the community, but for the firefighters responding to calls. Heatstroke and dehydration are always a risk.

“You’re used to coming out of a fire to get a little relief, strip down your jacket, but the relief isn’t there when it’s hot and humid, like today,” Darrington Fire Chief Joel Johnson said.

Summer brings a unique set of challenges to a rural, mountain town like Darrington. Campers can accidentally spark wildfires. Climbers can get stranded, straining local resources. A crash on heavily traveled Highway 530 is always a possibility, and water rescues remain a constant concern.

“We’ve got water, not to mention all of the health risks that come with smoke, so we just try to be prepared for that,” Johnson said. “The way this summer has gone so far, it seems like all the calls come at once.”

The change in air quality has been stark. Photos show Darrington’s White Horse Mountain a week ago, its snow-capped peak clearly visible. In a photo taken Tuesday, the same mountain is veiled in a haze of gray smoke. To the west, views of the Olympic Mountains have disappeared.

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

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A Cal Fire engine rolled over while fighting the Little Fire near Pleasanton, injuring a firefighter.

The post Firefighter Injured in Engine Rollover as Crews Battle 1,000-Acre CA Wildfire appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Bay City officials are debating the need to demolish Fire Station 2 due to significant PFAS contamination.

The post Bay City (MI) Officials Cannot Agree if Fire Station Is Unsafe. Residents May Decide What Happens Next. appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Chelmsford plans to demolish two aging fire stations to build modern facilities. Completion is expected by Fall 2027.

The post Twin Chelmsford (MA) Fire Station Projects Set to Begin With Station Demolitions appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.