Spokane City Council passed an emergency ordinance Monday night requiring two-person EMS crews respond to all non-emergency calls. The ordinance affects the Alternative Response Unit (ARU) program of the Spokane Fire Department. The pilot program sent single-person crews to lower acuity calls in an effort to keep larger fire units such as ladder trucks available for bigger emergencies.
- PUB DATE: 7/27/2015 9:39:23 PM - SOURCE: KHQ-TV NBC 6

A second-alarm brush fire burned four acres by Eagle Way near Terrace Heights Monday. Firefighters said a spark hit a field when a man was cutting cement in his backyard, igniting the fire. Heavy winds and dry brush helped fuel the fire. About 30 - 35 firefighters responded to the fire. The initial call came in at 10:35 a.
- PUB DATE: 7/27/2015 12:47:29 PM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS 29 Yakima

Helped by cooler weather over the weekend, firefighters continued to increase control of the Blue Creek Fire today. But the return of hot weather expected later this week is raising concerns. The fire remained at 6,225 acres, an area slightly smaller than the city of Walla Walla, today and was 50 percent contained.
- PUB DATE: 7/27/2015 10:50:12 AM - SOURCE: Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

The Yakima Fire Department says all homes are safe Monday morning after a brush fire broke out Sunday evening at the intersection of Powerhouse Road and Pecks Canyon Road. Firefighters say flames broke out at 7:33 p.m. and grew quickly with winds reaching about 25 miles per hour. Shift Commander Mitch Cole said, "The conditions were just about as bad as they could be.
- PUB DATE: 7/27/2015 7:42:29 AM - SOURCE: NBCRightNow.com

A new ordinance allows the Kauai County Fire Department to bill reckless hikers who have to be rescued. But Kauai Fire Chief Robert Westerman said it's unclear whether the department ever will do so. "We are leery about charging people," Westerman said. "If they know they're going to be charged, they're going to be less likely to call in.
- PUB DATE: 7/27/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firehouse