A semi rig crash unleashed chaos on the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 early Friday, tying up traffic for miles, sparking a huge brush fire and triggering a massive emergency response. The drama unfolded at about 2:15 a.m. when the semi veered off the freeway near the Southcenter Mall exit. The rig crashed through the guardrail, plowed through thick trees and brush, then plunged down a steep, 40-foot embankment into a narrow ravine.
- PUB DATE: 7/24/2015 7:37:04 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

A 73-acre fire in the Boise foothills started around 1:30 p.m. on July 22 after a mountain biker stopped to poop in a ravine, then lit his toilet paper on fire to dispose of it. According to the Bureau of Land Management, the biker thought he was doing the responsible thing by getting rid of the toilet paper, but an ember from the toilet paper quickly lead to the fire growing out of control.
- PUB DATE: 7/24/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: boise weekly

This Fourth of July, 87-year-old Edna Mitchell was tending the dessert table at the Liberty Fire Department’s annual chicken barbecue when the police scanner sputtered to life. A woman was having a medical problem and required assistance. Mitchell sprang into action, leaving her famous mincemeat cake behind as she headed over to the garage where the Liberty Ambulance vehicle is kept.
- PUB DATE: 7/24/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: bangor daily news

Some local fire departments are on probation after being cited by the state of North Carolina for failing to respond to emergency calls. That means that the crews either didn't respond at all or didn't have enough firefighters on the truck. When firefighters get a call for help, the state requires that at least four firefighters respond.
- PUB DATE: 7/24/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSOC-TV ABC 9 Charlotte

PHOTOS: A volunteer firefighter suffered burns on his hands and face after a “freak accident” involving fireworks at a fire station in Marysvale Thursday. Ann Kennedy, a Marysvale City Council Member, said the firefighter was helping to take about 70 fireworks out of the Marysvale Fire Station to be set up on a hill for a fireworks display Thursday night.
- PUB DATE: 7/24/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KSTU-TV Fox 13 Now Salt Lake City