VIDEO: Homeowners in Spokane’s Westgate neighborhood came face to face with the firefighters they credit with saving their homes during an emotional community gathering.

The residents organized a block party as a way to express gratitude to members of Spokane Fire District 8, who worked tirelessly during last week’s fires to protect as many homes as possible in the neighborhood.

For many residents, the past month has been a difficult journey. Families were evacuated as fires swept through the area, leaving them uncertain about whether their homes would survive. Some residents searched desperately for news footage or photos that might show their properties still standing.

Thomas Clouse, an evacuee, recalled the moment he learned his home had survived. “Monday morning, I finally made it back and I ran into Bob who lives in the house right here,” Clouse said. “I said, ‘How did our homes survive?’ and he said ‘my wife saw a video on the BBC of a firefighter hosing down my house’ and I said, ‘Well Bob, I’m going to find that firefighter.'”

That firefighter was Captain Todd Wood of Spokane Fire District 8. Wood was among the crew members who fought the fires in the Westgate neighborhood, and his efforts to protect homes did not go unnoticed by residents.

KXLY-TV ABC 4 Spokane

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PHOTOS: Firefighters have contained a three-alarm fire that engulfed a shoe factory Wednesday afternoon, sending a massive plume of smoke into the air and prompting the brief closure of nearby Fullerton Municipal Airport.

Fullerton Fire Department officials received a call at 12:04 p.m. reporting a fire inside a building in the 3600 block of Commonwealth Ave.

Firefighters were able to rescue some scared kittens in the area, but no injuries were reported. The smoke from the fire could be seen for miles, which was especially concerning for residents who live right across the street from where the fire started. The fire was at Capri Shoes, which sits just outside of airport property.

“Due to the heavy volume of fire and smoke, the airport was precautionarily shut down due to visibility,” said Fullerton Deputy Fire Chief Michael Meacham. Employees who were inside said they were evacuated as firefighters arrived and began efforts to put the fire out, which was made all the more challenging by the summer heat.

“The biggest challenge today is just the weather conditions, the heat and the stress on the firefighters operating with a stubborn fire like that,” Meacham said.

KTLA-TV CW 5 Los Angeles

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PHOTOS: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued an updated closure for portions of the Cle Elum Ranger District as firefighters continue to battle the Three Queens Fire in steep, hazardous terrain. The closure restricts public access to roads, trails, and recreation sites within the designated area and is scheduled to remain in effect through Oct. 31, unless conditions allow officials to modify it sooner. About 50 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) between Snoqualmie Pass and Deception Pass are closed because of the fire.

KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

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VIDEO: Two people were rescued from a fire that damaged at least three apartment units in Kent on Wednesday morning. Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority firefighters responded to the apartment building near Southeast 236th Street and 101st Place Southeast about 8:52 a.m. after multiple 911 calls reported the fire.

Crews saw heavy fire at the front of the building. The bulk of the fire was on the first floor, and it spread to the second floor and a third floor loft area, according to Puget Sound Fire spokesperson Pat Pawlak. Two people who were on their second-floor balcony at the back of the building were rescued, along with a dog and two cats.

Four residents were treated for minor injuries, but no one was transported to the hospital, Pawlak said. The fire was knocked down, and crews remain on scene to search for hot spots. There are eight units in the building, including one that was vacant. All residents were evacuated, and seven families will be relocated, Pawlak said.

The fire was upgraded to a working fire, which brings additional resources to the scene, including an additional ladder truck, support vehicles and King County Medic One. Renton Regional Fire Authority, Valley Regional Fire Authority and Kent Police Department also provided support. Puget Sound Energy disconnected power to the building. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

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PHOTOS: Vancouver firefighters responded to Alan Webb Chevrolet early Monday morning after reports of multiple vehicles on fire at the dealership. Firefighters at the scene told KATU’s Mike Warner they believe at least six vehicles were fully engulfed when they arrived and that about a dozen vehicles were damaged.

An investigation is underway into the cause of the fire, but fire crews said they frequently respond to fires involving homeless people in the area. Fire crews were called to 3712 N.E. 66th Ave. around 4:05 a.m. Monday and managed to knock down the flames.

KATU-TV ABC 2 Portland

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