As fire departments nationwide have grappled with recruitment and retention challenges, area firefighters in Sauk, Marquette and Columbia counties say it’s becoming harder to find people available for fire calls during the day. “It’s kind of a roll of the dice,” Baraboo Fire Chief Kevin Stieve said.
- PUB DATE: 9/9/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WiscNews

PHOTOS: Saturday’s lightning storm sparked a small wildfire near Eagle Lake on Orcas Island early Sunday morning. A 10 foot-by-10-foot area of fire burned multiple trees, brush and root beds just after midnight Sunday, according to Orcas Island Fire. Some 200 gallons of water and three hours later, six fire crews had the fire under control.
- PUB DATE: 9/8/2019 2:11:18 PM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

After one misstep, a young hiker fell 100 feet, leaving officials scrambling, trying to save his life. Friday night at Riverside State Park, fire fighters say a 21-year-old was stepping off a rock onto a ledge, when he fell. A gap that was just a few feet, but a risk, that officials say people take way too often.
- PUB DATE: 9/7/2019 5:39:09 PM - SOURCE: KAYU-TV MyFox Spokane

The ATF says the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a string of attacks on Jehovah’s Witnesses halls in the past year has been increased to up to $61,000, with the Federal Bureau of Investigations offering up to $25,000 this week. The ATF says it’s also offering up to $25,000, the Arson Alarm Foundation is offering a reward from its annual $10,000 fund and the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is offering up to another $1,000 through Crime Stoppers of South Sound.
- PUB DATE: 9/6/2019 5:14:23 PM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13

The Board of Fire Commissioners for Benton County Fire District #1 have placed a capital improvement bond on the November 5 ballot. This bond would last for 20 years and be an estimated 10-cents per $1,000 of assessed property value (AV). This is one cent less than the two bonds that were recently paid off.
- PUB DATE: 9/6/2019 2:32:13 PM - SOURCE: NBC KNDO 23