Salem-News.com Fire-fighters articles Page 38

No Injuries in Salem Townhouse Fire

Firefighters battled the blaze for approximately 20-minutes before they had it under control.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Firefighters say a smoldering cigarette butt in an outdoor smoking area is to blame for a fire that raged through a Salem townhouse Friday night.

Salem Fire Department Spokesman Bill Holmstrom, says firefighters were called out to the scene Friday at 9:05 PM on a first alarm assignment, which sent 3 Engines, a Ladder Truck, a Medic Unit and a Battalion Chief to the apartment fire at 6467 Fairway Avenue SE.

Holmstrom said, "When firefighters arrived on scene they had flames shooting approximately 20-feet above the rear of this two-story townhouse."

Western Heavy Rain, Dry Lightning Risk (VIDEO)

Prolonged exposure to the extreme heat could result in potentially deadly heat stroke or dangerous heat exhaustion.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Forecasters at AccuWeather.com, say they are monitoring two areas of thunderstorms across the West over the next day or two that have potential to create new wildfires over California. Temperatures in the central valley and the high desert today will soar above 110 degrees, with highs in the 80s and 90s spreading east to the western Plains and north into western Canada.

Storms associated with the Southwest monsoon will bring drenching rainfall to portions of New Mexico and Arizona through Thursday. The rainfall will be enhanced by a southeasterly flow off the Gulf of Mexico. Where thunderstorms are persistent and slow-moving, flash flooding can occur.

While some of this moisture will not make it over the Sierra Madre Oriental, there is copious moisture flowing from this direction, as evidenced by the very heavy rainfall in recent days across South Texas and eastern Mexico.

Long, Hard Job Ahead for Wildland Firefighters in California

National Guard forces are working with firefighters in an effort to bring the hundreds of early season fires to a close in this dry state.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Dry and hot weather conditions across central and northern California are increasing the difficulty for firefighters. They continue to battle hundreds of wildfires sparked by dry lightning and thunderstorms two weeks ago. So far, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports hundreds of fires have been contained, but hundreds of other fires continue to burn and they now threaten a number of communities.

Accuweather.com forecasters report that the fire in Santa Barbara County is threatening as many as 200 homes in Goleta. Farther to the north, the Big Sur fire has scorched more than 60,000 acres, and it is only 3 percent contained at this point. Among the communities and homes threatened by the wildfires, is the historic town of Big Sur and the town of Lucia. The Associated Press reports that authorities ordered the remaining residents of the communities to leave after the out-of-control wildfire jumped a fire line and threatened more homes Wednesday.

Fires Flare as Smoke Spreads From California Wildfires to Oregon and Nevada

The National Weather Service reports that wildland fire activity was reported with six new large fires nationally, but California remains the most active state with 27 large fires and 409,046 acres burned.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports that over 1,450 fires in California have scorched more than 416,200 acres as of early this morning. AccuWeather.com forecasters say smoky conditions will continue to affect central and northern California as well as western Nevada and southern Oregon.

Heat, Fires and Storms in the Forecast for California (VIDEO)

Several daily temperature records were broken Sunday in the Northwest, in Oregon new all time highs were set in The Dalles, Pendleton and Redmond, Oregon.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Weather forecasters say a disturbance pushing through the Northwest will break the heat in the north, but will also allow thunderstorms to form into Tuesday. Meanwhile, remaining heat to the south over much of California will continue to fuel fires and the smoke given off, Accuweather.com weather experts reported.

An influx of Pacific air from an approaching disturbance brought relief from the heat Monday to coastal areas from northern California to Washington state, while the the Intermountain West remained hot.

Search for Missing Teen in Sandy River Unsuccessful

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Winding Down Search Efforts Along Sandy River

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Search & Rescue mission on the Sandy River attempting to locate a missing Sandy teenager who is presumed drowned, was concluded late Sunday afternoon. Detective Jim Strovink with the Clackamas Sheriff's Office, says all efforts to locate Patrick Monteith have failed.

He says eight ground searchers from Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue volunteered their time and expertise Sunday and continuing the ground search along the banks of the Sandy River.

Oregon Officials Continue Search for Missing Teen on Sandy River

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Effort Continues Along The Sandy River

(SANDY, Ore.) - A teen missing in the Sandy River has officials there moving quickly. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and Search & Rescue Coordinators resumed the search for the missing teen, Patrick Monteith of Sandy; who was last witnessed by three companions being swept down the Sandy River, east of Marmot, early Saturday afternoon.

Jim Strovink with the Clackamas Sheriff says NORSAR, a volunteer canine search group, combed the waters edge as darkness fell late Saturday night.

California National Guard Continues Battle against Northern California Wildfires

Several states have sent National Guard resources to California to help fight the fires started by lightning strikes.

(MATHER FIELD, Calif.) - The California National Guard (CNG), with support from National Guard equipment and personnel from various other states is currently providing twelve rotary aircraft, eight fixed-wing aircraft, and more than 200 personnel to assist in extinguishing various northern California wildfires Friday.

There are currently 12 rotary-winged aircraft fighting various northern California Wildfires. These include eight aircraft from the CNG and four from other states.

Wildfires Continue to Rage Across Northern California (VIDEO)

So far, the fires have claimed 17 private homes, one commercial buildings and 19 outbuildings.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Fire authorities in California say firefighters are continuing their battle against fires burning in the northern part of the nation's third-largest state. Cal Fire reports that in addition to fires and evacuations, a number of related highway closures on state highways and local roads which are closed throughout northern California due to wildfire activities.

Closures are in place for state highway 32, 36, 70, 89, 96. Delays are in place for state highway 299. It is reported that numerous county and local roads are closed as well. Travelers are advised to check with law enforcement agencies prior to traveling.

State Militias Join California National Guard Planes in Battling Wildfires

The Walker Fire which involved 8,600 acres is at ~5% containment.

(MATHER FIELD, Calif.) - The California National Guard (CNG), with support from National Guard units from other states is currently providing six rotary aircraft and five fixed-wing aircraft to assist in extinguishing various northern California wildfires today.

Yesterday, the CNG assisted first responders with successfully containing the Napa fire with the following air assets: four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from Los Alamitos Joints Forces Training Base and a CH-47 from Stockton Flight Facility, which are both equipped with fire suppression devices. The CNG also provided support with one heavy expanded mobility tactical fuel truck (HEMTT), one government vehicle, and personnel to operate these vehicles.