It’s been almost two years since a wildfire severely damaged an important irrigation canal in Central Washington. Now, a federal agency is deciding whether the canal might need emergency help. The Yakima-Tieton Canal has been around for more than 100 years. The 12-mile canal helps irrigate thousands of acres of farmland in the upper Yakima Valley.

“ If this canal system fails, it will absolutely devastate the Yakima Valley,” said Travis Okelberry, the district manager with the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District, in an earlier interview. In 2024, the Retreat Fire sent logs and boulders crashing through the canal. Heat blistered the outside. Irrigation district managers say the canal is an emergency waiting to happen, and fixing it is expensive.

“Every day, we have eyes on the canal,” Okelberry said. “It’s in bad shape right now.” Recently, President Donald Trump signed a law, which included a conference report that would require the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to decide if the state of the canal should be considered an emergency.

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The air chisel is typically used as a vehicle rescue tool. This versatile tool has new life because of high strength steel alloys (HSSAs) now used in motor vehicles.

The post Air Chisel, the Forgotten Power Tool and Its Partner, the Impact Wrench appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Charlotte (NC) Firehouse 11, originally opened in 1958, is set to reopen soon after demolition and reconstruction, with a new facility designed to serve the community for future generations.

The post Watch | A Drone’s View of a New Fire Station Almost Complete appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Due to the volume of motor vehicle accidents the department responds to each year, Vassar has always invested in a heavier rescue platform.

The post Vassar (MI) FD Takes Delivery of New Heavy Rescue appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Rockingham (VT) Fire Rescue received nearly $600,000 in federal funds to help build a new fire station in Saxtons River.

The post Big Funding Boost for New VT Fire Station appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.