VIDEO: The Stowe Fire Department is trading ideas and comparing notes with European firefighting professionals as part of an international partnership thousands of miles in the making. Jeff Fischer made the trip from Donnerskirchen, Austria, to Stowe.

“We have European-style gear, different fire tips, different fire hoses, but at the end of the day we’re all here to serve the community,” Fischer said.

His globe-trotting trip is part of an international partnership developed under the National Guard State Partnership Program. The goal is to foster international relationships and professional exchanges between emergency responders.

One of the biggest differences is that the crew at Donnerskirchen is all volunteer. With no staffing shortages, Fischer says it’s because they get kids involved in the fire service young.

“We actually bring kids in, and they learn fire safety, and they get uniforms, and they march with our fire departments in the parades. And they have a sense of community; they have a sense of wanting to join, and that when they come of age, they just naturally convert over,” Fischer said.

Stowe Asst. Fire Chief Scott Reeves agrees and recognizes the challenge in getting young people in the ranks. “Not only just in Stowe but statewide, volunteerism is down. So, if we can get the youth interested early and often, here’s an opportunity for recruitment,” he said.

WCAX-TV CBS 3 Burlington

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VIDEO: Neighbors watched thick smoke and flames consume a Port St. Lucie home after it caught fire Friday evening during a storm.

The fire happened on Bellevue Avenue. Video captured by a nearby resident shows flames coming from the home as smoke billowed into the neighborhood.

Neighbor Leigh Michele said she was inside talking with a friend while listening to thunder from a storm moving through the area when she heard what she believes was a lightning strike.

“I heard the lightning strike. It took out the internet and power briefly, so I knew it was around here. I happened to look at my cameras, and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, that house across the street is on fire,'” she said.

When she looked outside, Michele said the scene was overwhelming.

“I looked out the door. I’m like, ‘Oh, my goodness.’ The area was filled with smoke,” she said. Another neighbor, Glenn Doyle, said he also heard a loud crack during the storm but didn’t initially realize what had happened.

“I heard a loud crack, and it sounded like it came from the front of our house. Didn’t think anything of it,” Doyle said.

WBPF-TV ABC 25 West Palm Beach

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Crews work to get a handle on a large wildfire burning about 17 miles southwest of Inchelium. The Modrite Fire has burned more than 6,400 acres and damaged or destroyed five buildings. Lightning sparked the fire on July 17.

Level 3 evacuations – which means get out now – are in effect for Wilmont Creek Road, from the Kewa Road intersection at Silver Creek to Rodgers Bar. Silver Creek Road is closed between Four Corners and Kewa Road. Wilmont Road is closed at Twin Lakes. An evacuation shelter has been set up at Kettle Falls Middle School. Household pets are welcome but must be kept in kennels.

The fire has crossed Silver Creek Road south of Rodgers Bar Road, and is spreading toward Lake Roosevelt and north toward Rodgers Bar Campground. According to the incident commander, the fire continues to spread toward Coyote Creek Road, although growth has slowed.

According to the incident commander, Monday’s goal was to strengthen Coyote Creek Road as the primary containment line and to construct an indirect dozer line between Coyote Creek Road and Wilmont Road. Crews will assess conditions at Rodgers Bar Campground and engage in structure protection.

KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

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In May 2026, the Los Angeles County Fire Museum became the proud and appreciative owner of an 1886 Ahrens First Size 900-gpm steam pumper.

The post Not One, But Two! appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

A 55-year-old Kent man was killed Saturday night after police say he entered a crosswalk against a “Do Not Cross” signal and was struck by a vehicle at South 236th Street and Pacific Highway South, police said. Kent police responded around 9:40 p.m. Saturday to the vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision. Medics attempted lifesaving efforts, but the man died at the scene.

According to Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla, the initial investigation indicates the driver had a green left-turn arrow to turn south onto Pacific Highway South from South 236th Street when the pedestrian entered the crosswalk against the signal.

Police said the driver, a 35-year-old Federal Way resident, was booked on suspicion of DUI involving marijuana and first-degree negligent driving involving a vulnerable user. The Kent Police Traffic Unit is investigating the collision. Southbound Pacific Highway South was closed during the investigation before reopening.

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

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