As Okanogan County residents shared their experiences in this summer’s wildfire with county officials, some echoed themes heard last year — of firefighters standing around while fires grew out of control, and of confusion, panic and poor communication. But — particularly compared to last year — there was also praise for effective firefighting tactics by local and state agencies and ideas for reducing fire risk in the future.
- PUB DATE: 10/8/2015 1:09:08 PM - SOURCE: Methow Valley News

As Okanogan County residents shared their experiences in this summer’s wildfire with county officials, some echoed themes heard last year — of firefighters standing around while fires grew out of control, and of confusion, panic and poor communication. But — particularly compared to last year — there was also praise for effective firefighting tactics by local and state agencies and ideas for reducing fire risk in the future.
- PUB DATE: 10/8/2015 1:09:08 PM - SOURCE: Methow Valley News

2015 brought the West Coast and the State of Washington unusually hot and dry weather conditions that increased the number and severity of fires across our state. Several jurisdictions feared that the use of personal fireworks around the 4th of July would further increase fires and sought to limit or ban the use of fireworks due to extreme fire danger conditions.

Washington’s current fireworks law, RCW 70.77, states that any city or county ordinances that are more restrictive than state law shall have an effective date no sooner than one year after adoption. So the jurisdictions that did not already have a local ordinance in place were left without an option to limit or ban sales and use of fireworks due to the extreme fire danger...

Danko Emergency Equipment, Pumper. Ford F-550 4x4 4-Door Chassis; Powerstroke 6.7-Liter V8 Diesel; Waterous 2515 married to a 18-hp Briggs & Stratton Engine.

A backyard woodworking shop burned in a fire late Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the Sunnyland neighborhood. A passerby first alerted a resident at 2820 Grant St. to smoke venting from the shed around 10:20 p.m., said Bellingham Assistant Fire Chief Rob Kintzele. Firefighters rushed four fire engines to the scene.
- PUB DATE: 10/8/2015 7:53:40 AM - SOURCE: Bellingham Herald