Salem-News.com Fire-fighters articles Page 56

FEMA Authorizes Funds for Broughton Wildfire

Five homes are already reported as being damaged or destroyed, and two miles of State Highway 14 are closed due to heavy smoke.

(SEATTLE, Wa.) - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help the State of Washington fight the Broughton Wildfire, burning near the Columbia River in Skamania County, three miles west of White Salmon.

FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison said that Washington’s request for federal fire management assistance was approved after it was confirmed that the fire, estimated to be 250 acres is size, has caused a mandatory evacuation of 400 residents from 100 immediately-threatened homes.

First Response Coalition To Celebrate Inaugural National First Responder Appreciation Day on Capitol Hill‏

To honor America’s “hometown heroes,” FRC urges Congress to pass H.Res.592, the “National First Responder Appreciation Day” resolution.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Congress has seen fit to honor pigs and popcorn, catfish and ice cream with national days of recognition. The FRC believes it is time for our nation’s first responders to be honored.

A diverse panel of key policymakers, first responders, and national organizations will celebrate the inaugural “National First Responder Appreciation Day.”

Oregon Fire Agencies Receive $522,500 in Firefighter Assistance Grants From FEMA

This week’s round of national fire grants amounts to nearly $16.9 million distributed to departments throughout the ten (10) FEMA Regional offices.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $522,500 in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) to two rural fire agencies in Oregon.

Nationally, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide over $490 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.

Family Escapes Burning House in Jefferson‏

One firefighter was transported to the hospital suffering from heat exhaustion.

(JEFFERSON, Ore.) - A family is safe this afternoon thanks to a smoke alarm and knowing that a quick exit from a burning house is above all the most important thing to do when your house is on fire. They lost the contents of their home however, and the public will have a chance to lend them a hand.

The fire appears to have started in the laundry room area and the fire is under investigation by the Marion-Polk County Fire Investigation Team at this time.

Wind Causes Agricultural Burn to Spread‏ Near Jefferson

It is a reminder that fire season is not over. Open burning is not permitted at this time, and agricultural burning is only allowed by permit.

(JEFFERSON, Ore.) - Jefferson Fire District fire apparatus and personnel were called to a brush fire in the area of I-5 and Ankeny Hill Road late this afternoon.

A couple was burning three piles of sawdust and brush in different locations when the gusty afternoon winds caused two of the brush piles to spread, starting multiple fires in an adjacent field.

Two-Alarm Commercial Fire at Salem`s Willamette University

Nobody was hurt in the campus fire.

(SALEM, Ore.) - 25 people were evacuated from the University Apartments on the Willamette University Campus after a fire broke out on the 7th floor of the apartment building. Firefighters say no one was injured and property damage was kept to a minimum.

Salem Fire Department Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says that atound 10:41 this morning, the first alarm assignment sent 3 fire engines, a ladder truck, medic unit and battalion chief to the commercial fire at 425 Winter Street SE, on the grounds of Willamette University.

Two-Alarm Fire in Beaverton Apartment Displaces Twenty Tenants

Approximately 20 people displaced by the fire are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) - An aggressive fire attack on the part of firefighters is credited for minimizing damage to a Beaverton apartment building, as well as tenants' belongings in adjacent apartments.

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue responded to an apartment fire around 11:20 AM today at the Brentwood Court Apartments located at 3298 SW 125th Avenue in Beaverton.

Eugene Driver Cited After Female Passenger Falls Out of Moving Car

The 17-year old girl suffered serious injuries.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - A 23-year old Eugene man was cited for DUII, Recklessly Endangering Another Person and Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor after an early Thursday morning incident that seriously injured his 17-year old girlfriend when she fell out an open window of the car he was driving while rounding a curve.

Thursday at approximately 5:00 AM, a state police dispatch center received reports of a 17-year old girl being seriously injured in a traffic-related incident somewhere between Eugene and Florence.

Gas Main Break Forces Downtown Portland Evacuations

Traffic is not affected by the leak.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - A gas leak Thursday afternoon caused some downtown Portland buildings to evacuate.

The gas main is located at 621 S.W. Yamhill.

A construction crew working near Pioneer Square hit a Northwest Natural Gas line, according to Portland fire officials.

Polk County Sheriff`s Office Makes Arrest on Wildland Fire

Sheriff Bob Wolfe says the fire started when shots were fired into a tree stump.

(DALLAS, Ore.) - The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a suspect today in the wildland fire that has burning since Saturday, scorching over 400 acres of land near Dallas.