A fire hall expansion and the addition of dorm rooms will more than double the number of firefighters able to respond to emergencies in rural southern Benton County. Benton County Fire District 6 voters approved a sales tax increase in 2015 so the district could hire two more full-time firefighters and add 2,000 square feet to the station.
- PUB DATE: 2/26/2017 7:46:38 PM - SOURCE: Mid-Columbia Tri-City Herald

An Auburn home was completely destroyed by fire Sunday morning, according to the Valley Regional Fire Authority. Firefighters received a call of smoke in the 30700 block of 124th Avenue Southeast about 6:15 a.m. and found a 5,000-square-foot two-story home fully involved, spokeswoman Kimberly Terhune wrote in a news release.
- PUB DATE: 2/26/2017 11:08:43 AM - SOURCE: KIRO-TV CBS 7

One person was injured in a fire that heavily damaged at least one unit at Valley View Apartments in Longview. Shortly before 4 p.m., crews were called to the apartment complex just outside the city limits at 2120 46th Avenue. Firefighters received a report that "fire was coming out the window and something blew up.
- PUB DATE: 2/26/2017 2:23:09 AM - SOURCE: Longview Daily News

More residents are taking proactive steps to protect their homes and property from wildfire. The state added 32 new firewise communities in 2016, including six in Yakima County and four in Kittitas County. The communities use fire safety practices to clean up forests and surrounding areas to protect their homes and reduce wildfire risk.
- PUB DATE: 2/25/2017 3:24:50 PM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS 29 Yakima

Firefighters doused a fire that sparked in the roof of a business complex in Hazel Dell Friday night before it could do greater damage, and no one was injured. Firefighters were first called to 6204 N.E. Highway 99 shortly after 7:45 p.m. A second alarm was called after reports indicated multiple units at the complex were on fire.
- PUB DATE: 2/24/2017 9:27:39 PM - SOURCE: Vancouver Columbian