A Forest Service firefighter from California’s Eldorado National Forest blew another whistle Thursday on sexual harassment and gender bias inside federal public lands agencies. Reinforcing claims previously made by many others over many years, Fire Prevention Technician Denice Rice told a House panel of repeated problems facing women, who remain greatly outnumbered by men in the Forest Service.
- PUB DATE: 12/2/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: McClatchy Washington Bureau

A strong explosion in Eastern Kanawha County this morning blew the helmet off a firefighter. "It sounded almost like a cannon going off," Malden Fire Chief, Squeak Peterson told WSAZ. The tank burst, sending pieces flying through one neighbors home and another neighbors shed, according to firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 12/2/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSAZ.com

Residents wanting to head off the hiring of a paid fire chief in Lake Wylie are making a late push, though they may not have much time. The same day the Lake Wylie Pilot posted a letter online from the Bethel Rural Fire Tax Board explaining its reasoning for hiring a paid chief to lead Bethel Volunteer Fire Department, a change.
- PUB DATE: 12/2/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Herald Online

Yakima firefighters responded to hundreds of structure fire calls this year - many at people's homes. Fire officials are urging the public to follow safety precautions to avoid cooking and electrical fires this holiday season. As holiday lights go up, and festive decorations adorn homes, it's also a peak time for fires.
- PUB DATE: 12/1/2016 8:00:09 PM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS 29 Yakima

An early morning fire at a Pasco home is being investigated as arson according to Pasco firefighters. Investigators said they responded to a home in the 600 block of Borth Cedar Road in the early morning hours on Thursday. Fire crews said the six residents of the home were able to get out safely and a neighbor doused most of the flames with a garden hose.
- PUB DATE: 12/1/2016 5:16:30 PM - SOURCE: KEPR-TV CBS 19