A new Oregon State University study suggests that firefighters are more likely to be exposed to potentially harmful chemicals while on duty compared to off duty. The on-duty firefighters in the Kansas City, Missouri, area experienced higher exposures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, which are a family of chemicals that are known to have the potential to cause cancer.
- PUB DATE: 8/21/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Science Daily

VIDEO: With COVID-19 restrictions loosening in S.C. Shriners Hospital in Greenville along with firefighters from Greenville Fire Department surprised the children with a day full of joy. “One of our employees just asked if they could donate some fun hats to the kids to brighten their day and they took it and ran with it from there.
- PUB DATE: 8/21/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSPA-TV CBS 7 Spartanburg

PHOTOS: When D.C. firefighters responded to the report of a fire in Northeast Thursday evening, a man suspected of setting the fire attacked Fire Engine 8. As they were trying to put out the fire, which was outside in the 300 block of 18th St. NE, the man became aggressive toward the crew, according to a DC Fire and EMS spokesperson.
- PUB DATE: 8/21/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WJLA-TV ABC 7 Washington, DC

Three new scientific studies published this month show that the COVID-19 virus can spread in more ways than we once knew. Research from various parts of the world considered three separate factors in each study: low humidity, public restrooms and airborne dust. The implications from all three of these studies? Mask up! A study just published in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases confirms an earlier study conducted in the Greater Sydney, Australia area during the early stages of the pandemic reported a link between low humidity and community spread of COVID-19.
- PUB DATE: 8/21/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Forbes

Washington is now under a state of emergency for wildfires across on both sides of the Cascades, where several large fires are now burning. The state has not declared a drought. Washington state law defines drought as creating an economic hardship, largely involving water shortages for farmers and cities.
- PUB DATE: 8/21/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle