It's already been a busy fire season in the Northwest. In Washington state alone, crews with the Department of Natural Resources have responded to 470 wildfires so far in 2018. DNR records show wildfires occur more on weekends and holiday afternoons. So as we head into 4th of July celebrations, DNR officials want to make sure you're extra careful and always aware of fire risks.
- PUB DATE: 7/3/2018 9:55:29 AM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4

A Firefighter Challenge in memory of chief Robert Spinner, who died unexpectedly in July 2017, is being organized for Saturday, July 14, along Fourth Street near the fire station. It will be exactly one year to the day since chief Spinner passed away of a heart attack at age 50. This event, with both firefighter and civilian divisions, will involve a stair climb, hose hoist, agility test, search maze, tire flip, “Kaiser sled” and more, said organizer Patrick Williams.
- PUB DATE: 7/3/2018 8:21:40 AM - SOURCE: Lyndentribune

An Olympia church was destroyed by fire early Tuesday, five months after it was hit by a previous, less destructive blaze that was determined to be arson. A man found walking several blocks from today's fire with soot on his hands was questioned, but police are no longer calling him a person of interest in the case.
- PUB DATE: 7/3/2018 4:52:31 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

Redding Fire Chief Gerry Gray. who was beloved in the community and known for his friendliness and almost daily tweets, has died, the funeral director for Hoyt-Cole Chapel of Flowers in Red Bluff said. Funeral director Jack Kirchert said his funeral home is handling the arrangements but did not have any additional information about the fire chief's sudden and unexpected death.
- PUB DATE: 7/3/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Redding Record Searchlight

Boise Fire Capt. Rob Christensen listened to the victim count rise on his way to the scene of Saturday’s mass stabbing. Initially, his crew got the call for a stabbing, then he heard there were four victims and by the time he got there, he realized the crew of 11 Boise firefighters would be spread thin treating the nine victims.
- PUB DATE: 7/3/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Nampa Idaho Press-Tribune