A Commonwealth Court panel Wednesday thwarted an attempt by the state attorney general’s office to forcibly dissolve a volunteer fire company that refused to participate in a government-organized merger. The ruling means that, for now at least, Independent Fire Company No. 1 in South Williamsport can continue to exist as a nonprofit entity and might even resume fighting fires outside the borough.
- PUB DATE: 2/6/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: PennLive

A Fire Training facility in North Bend has been chosen as the site of quarantine for travelers from Hubei Province China, if they are unable to quarantine themselves. The Washington State Patrol announced on Tuesday (Feb. 4) that its Fire Training Academy (FTA) would become the fifth quarantine zone in the United States, although it will only be used if travelers are unable to self quarantine at home.
- PUB DATE: 2/5/2020 1:06:16 PM - SOURCE: Snoqualmie Valley Record

A fire destroyed a large shop in Finley on Wednesday morning. The fire broke out at East Finley Road and South Lexington Street at about 10:14 a.m. The shop was fully engulfed with heavy smoke pouring from the building when firefighters arrived, according to Benton Fire District 1. Authorities said the fire appears to have been caused by a resident using a welder.
- PUB DATE: 2/5/2020 12:48:50 PM - SOURCE: YakTriNews

VIDEO: A family who lost nearly everything in a devastating house fire last weekend told KIRO 7 they escaped with their lives thanks to their two dogs. 13-year-old Maurice Jones said he was visiting his grandmother’s home and had just awakened when the dogs, PJ and Precious, frantically showed up at a downstairs door.
- PUB DATE: 2/5/2020 12:42:08 PM - SOURCE: KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

State officials are already preparing for the upcoming fire season. On Wednesday the Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz is set to visit Wildland Fire and Forest Health orientation and training in Ellensburg. The Department of Natural Resources is training 30 new wildland firefighters and forest health specialists learning about fire and forest safety procedures, working with the Wildfire and Forest Health Plans and receiving updates on local community risks and forest information.
- PUB DATE: 2/5/2020 5:38:01 AM - SOURCE: KIT 1280-AM & 99.3-FM