VIDEO/PHOTOS: There are four fires now burning between Franklin, Adams, and Whitman counties. An incident PIO says all four are separate and have not merged, but are in the same area. Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuations are in place in Franklin County near Lyons Ferry State Park.

The fires have also prompted Level 2 (Get Set) evacuations in the Hooper to Flemming Road area of Whitman County. The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office says it has evacuated several homes in the area. Level 1 (Get Ready!) evacuations are in place in Whitman County for Highway 127 to Central Ferry, including the area of Dusty. The Lyons Ferry and Neff Jones Fires are the two largest in the area; as of Sunday afternoon, the Lyons Ferry Fire was burning 34,166 acres near Kahlotus in Franklin County.

KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane

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This episode of Moving Water covers the nuts and bolts of optimizing fill and dump site efficiency.

The post Moving Water: Maximizing Flow at Dump & Fill Sites appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

A lightning strike-induced fire in Okanogan County has grown to 62,872 acres with no containment as of Sunday night, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The Kaiser Canyon fire broke out around 6 a.m. Thursday a mile from Nespelem, Washington, on the Colville Reservation, after a lightning strike. It continued to grow due to flashy fuels and strong wind gusts, a news release from Northeast Washington Interagency Management Team 3 said.

Around 500 people deployed on the fire as of Sunday. First responders worked Saturday to protect structures, manage heat pockets, lay dozer lines and build containment lines. Sunday crews will focus on life, property and firefighter safety. Buffalo Lake Road, Rebecca Lake, Belvedere, Nespelem and the Columbia River Campground are under Level 3 “go now” evacuations.

More than 1,000 people have been displaced and 800 structures threatened, according to previous reporting from The Spokesman-Review. The Seattle Times reported Sunday that the town of Nespelem “is intact but has bee n surrounded by flames less than 2 miles away” and that while no injuries were reported Saturday, at least 10 structures were destroyed.

The Spokesman-Review – Metered Site

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Firefighters were called to an apartment in St. Louis Park Friday afternoon, where a massive blaze was burning at the top of the building. The city of St. Louis Park said the fire was reported at 4:47 p.m. at Helix Apartments, located in the 7500 block of Highway 7.

Upon arrival, fire crews found a fire that appeared to have started on the third-floor balcony of the building, though the city says this has not yet been confirmed.

St. Louis Park Fire said the fire was under control as of 8:30 p.m., with some crews remaining on scene to extinguish hot spots and conduct an overhaul to ensure the fire is completely extinguished.

Firefighters from approximately 20 fire departments were called to the apartment to help contain and extinguish the three-alarm fire.

One person was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and two firefighters were treated on scene for heat-related injuries. Approximately 90 apartment units were affected by the fire.

KSTP-TV ABC 5 St. Paul

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VIDEO: Sometimes it’s a simple act of generosity that has the power to make someone feel appreciated. And one Albuquerque man is using his paintbrush to give back to the first responders who once came to his aide.

Walking into 77-year-old Joseph LaForte’s home you would think you walked into a gallery, as colorful paintings line the walls. LaForte has been an artist most of his life and since retiring as a craftsman seven years ago, Laforte’s studio has been the birth place of more and more pieces.

“We’re here in New Mexico, it’s a graveyard, right? It’s got hot air balloons,” said LaForte, pointing to one of his paintings. After a recent medical scare for LaForte, and an emergency involving his 86-year-old wife, his inspirations shifted towards the first responders who answered the call.

“Recently my wife had fallen and broken her hip and they came right away and they were wonderful,” said LaForte. “And as far as the inspiration, I just felt like, wow, these people do a really beautiful thing.”

So, LaForte created this piece to show his appreciation and gifted it to Albuquerque Fire Rescue’s, Station 12.

KRQE-TV CBS/FOX 13 Albuquerque

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