VIDEO: One person has died in the Chelan Hills Fire, marking the second wildfire fatality in Washington this year, as crews continue working to contain flames burning east of Lake Chelan. Authorities confirmed the victim was trying to flee the fire by vehicle when smoke overtook the car and the person was unable to escape. The person had been reported missing. Human remains were found inside the vehicle. An official identity is yet to be released.

Meanwhile, other residents who fled the flames say they feel fortunate to have made it out alive. Among them is Lonnie Kirk, who built a family farm with his wife, Elizabeth, and their three teenagers in the small town of Orondo. The farm is now gone. “We lost everything. Our house, our cars and trucks. We pretty much left with the clothes on our backs,” Kirk said. An online fundraiser has been established to help the family rebuild.

The fire exploded over the holiday weekend, growing to more than 10,000 acres and destroying at least a dozen homes and more than 100 structures, according to authorities. Kirk said his family had little more than an hour to evacuate once the wind shifted. “Sixty, 70 mile-per-hour winds came up, the wind shifted. The next thing you know it’s at our back door,” Kirk said. “We were literally leaving our property as it was right at the back of our house.”

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

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The USAF needed a rugged, off-road fire truck that could function in extreme temperatures, navigate through rough terrain, carry all necessary firefighting equipment, and be easily loaded and transported via a C-130 or sling loaded beneath a helicopter.

The post Polaris Government and Defense DAGOR vehicle Delivers Firefighting Capabilities for the U.S. Air Force appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

PHOTOS: Three people suffered critical injuries in a fireworks-related incident in the 900 block of 2nd Avenue North in Kent, according to Puget Sound Fire.

Puget Sound Fire and King County Medic One responded to the scene at the Kent home at around 11:30 a.m., where three individuals were treated for critical injuries and taken to a Seattle-area hospital by King County Medic One and Puget Sound Fire.

Everyone who was injured was under 18 years old, and they were on the front porch, according to fire officials. The incident remains under investigation by Puget Sound Fire investigators and Kent police.

KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

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VIDEO: Tacoma firefighters responded to a fire involving multiple apartment buildings on Monday night. The Tacoma Fire Department said the incident in the 400 block of South Puget Sound Avenue called for a two-alarm response. It also involved “several” apartment buildings, said public information officer Chelsea Shepard.

The fire appears to have started in a building under construction that is situated between apartment buildings, according to Tacoma Fire. The construction building is a total loss. It’s not clear if anyone is injured.

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

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East Lyme residents approved $5.3 million in bonding for projects including an updated emergency radio system.

The post East Lyme (CT) OKs Radio Upgrades, Fire Department Equipment Purchases appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.