When wildland firefighters are on prescribed fires, they’re breathing the same smoke and facing many of the same hazards found on wildfires, but they don’t get the same hazard pay. That could soon change.

Resolving that disparity has been a longstanding demand of wildland firefighters. Last week, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management proposed to do just that, and acknowledged the real dangers of prescribed fire.

“Prescribed fire duties expose employees to open flame, radiant and convective heat, smoke, unstable terrain, fire-weakened trees, and other physical, chemical, and biological hazards during ignition and patrol phases,” the recent Federal Register notice read. “Safety practices and Personal Protection Equipment…reduce—but cannot eliminate—these risks.”

“The hazards of a prescribed fire are very similar to the hazards of a suppression fire,” said Max Alonzo, secretary-treasurer of the National Federation of Federal Employees, a union that represents many federal wildland firefighters and has advocated for this change.

Utah Public Radio

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PHOTOS: Fire crews from multiple towns battled a fast-moving overnight fire that damaged three homes in Ridgefield Park. The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday in the rear of a home on Brinkerhoff Street and quickly spread to two neighboring houses, according to fire officials.

Flames fully engulfed portions of the homes, and a vehicle in a driveway was also destroyed as the fire intensified. All of the residents inside the homes were able to get out safely, the fire chief said.

Several firefighters suffered minor injuries during the response. They are expected to be OK. Assistant Fire Chief Michael Alberque said crews faced challenges as the fire spread from one building to multiple structures.

“When it went into the second and third structure, it becomes an issue,” Alburque said. He said crews had to stretch water supplies from multiple hydrants because of the size of the fire and nearby trees.

By about 5 a.m., the fire appeared to be under control as crews began winding down operations. There was no immediate word on how the fire started.

News 12 New Jersey

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VIDEO: One person is dead following a crash involving a vehicle fire on Interstate 5 near the 236th Street Southwest exit at the Mountlake Terrace Freeway Station, according to South County Fire. Crews responded to reports of a vehicle on fire along northbound I-5 near the transit center exit. Officials say the vehicle struck a concrete elevator shaft and was previously fully engulfed in flames. Emergency crews on scene confirmed one person dead.

The northbound I-5 ramp to the transit station at 236th Street was fully blocked as troopers investigate the deadly, single-vehicle crash. The crash caused damage to the structure, which will need to be assessed. As a result, northbound bus service to the ramp at the freeway station was temporarily shut down.

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

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VIDEO: Firefighters rescued a man, a woman and a dog from a 3rd-floor window of an apartment that caught fire in Mountlake Terrace Sunday morning. The flames broke out just after midnight, at the Taluswood Apartments, on 236th St. S.W., about a block east of 44th Ave. W. Crews from South Snohomish County Fire arrived shortly after the flames swept through several floors of the apartment complex. When crews arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire shooting from the three-story building.

Firefighters used a ladder to reach the victims trapped by flames from a window on the top floor. Medics transported the man and woman rescued to Swedish Edmonds Hospital. Authorities say both victims were in their 20s. Officials reported both were in stable condition and doctors released them from the hospital soon after they arrived. The dog did not suffer significant injuries and was not given medical treatment.

Investigators say at least 12 units of the apartment building were damaged by fire or smoke. Crews conducted a search to make sure everyone in those units made it out safely. After getting the fire under control, firefighters worked to put out a few hot spots. Most of the fire was extinguished by around 2:00 a.m. One firefighter suffered a minor injury during the response and was treated at the scene. Medics also evaluated two other apartment residents for possible injuries. They determined the residents did not require further medical care.

KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

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The American Red Cross says it has been notified by fire officials in Spokane County about a structure fire on Mallon Avenue in Spokane. Red Cross Disaster Action Teams are working to connect with those impacted to assess immediate needs and provide assistance. Four adults and three dogs were displaced. According to fire officials, there were no injuries and the investigation is ongoing. The fire was reported as a room-and-contents fire with heavy smoke damage throughout the remainder of the home.

KAYU-TV FOX 28 Spokane

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