All articles tagged with #firefighters
Federal officials released the identities of three Wildland Fire Service firefighters who died while responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado; two more were injured. The Snyder Fire now encompasses the Knowles and Gore fires, surpassing 28,000 acres along the Colorado-Utah border, with an interagency team in command and a serious accident investigation underway.
Three federal wildland firefighters from the Rifle Helitack crew were killed while initial-attack fighting the Snyder Fire along the Colorado-Utah border; two others were injured. The blaze had grown to about 28,000 acres, and a serious accident investigation is underway.
Western wildfire season intensifies across Utah and surrounding states, prompting evacuations and emergencies, and the deaths of three firefighters along the Utah-Colorado border as smoke drifts across the region.
Federal wildland fire officials released the identities of three firefighters who died responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado: Emily Barker (38, Rifle Helitack, U.S. Forest Service), Nick Hutcherson (27, Kaibab National Forest), and Sydney Watson (27, Rifle Helitack). Two others were injured. The Snyder Fire merged with the Jones Fire and overtook Knowles and Gore fires, growing to more than 28,000 acres along the Colorado-Utah border. An interagency incident management team has taken command, and a serious accident investigation has been launched as federal agencies coordinate support for families, coworkers, and affected communities.
Three federal firefighters were killed in a burnover while battling the Knowles and Gore fires near the Colorado-Utah border. The identities released were Emily Barker (38, Michigan), Nick Hutcherson (27, Arizona), and Sydney Watson (26, Alabama). Two other crewmembers were injured. The fires are now known as the Snyder Mesa Fire and have burned more than 28,000 acres as officials continue to investigate the incident and support affected families.
Three federal firefighters were killed and two were injured while responding to wildfires along the Utah-Colorado border, in a burnover incident tied to the Knowles and Gore fires that have merged into a single 28,000-acre blaze threatening Mesa County; authorities have pre-evacuation orders and road closures, and Governor Cox offered condolences as the firefighting community mourns.
Three firefighters were killed and two injured while crews fought wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border, as Western states faced extreme fire conditions. Utah and Colorado governors declared emergencies to aid response, with the National Guard authorized in Colorado and power shutoffs used to reduce wildfire risk. Nationally, nearly 3 million acres have burned this year amid red-flag warnings and ongoing drought.
Hundreds of pounds of stored fireworks exploded in the Lagoon Point area of Central Whidbey Island, destroying multiple homes and injuring five people, including three firefighters who responded to the fire. Authorities say the blast was likely caused by someone smoking near the fireworks. Two civilians were hurt and sought treatment, while the Island County Sheriff’s Office and the ATF are investigating for possible charges as they determine the full cause and circumstances.
Beaver, UT – Firefighters continued to battle the Cottonwood Fire under a dangerous National Weather Service red flag warning, with humidity around 8% and gusts up to 50 mph. About 71,841 acres have burned as more than 650 firefighters push to slow the fire, build contingency lines, and protect structures, while maintaining safety amid volatile conditions and the risk of rapid flame spread and spotting.
Three Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue crews responded to a Smugglers Cove Road home on Whidbey Island when a large cache of fireworks ignited, causing a massive explosion heard for miles. Two deputy chiefs and one firefighter were injured; two firefighters were treated and released, while the third underwent hand surgery and remained hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center. Two homeowners were hospitalized and are expected to recover. Three homes were damaged, with two destroyed. Investigators from Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue and the Island County Sheriff's Office are probing the fireworks quantities and types involved, and fundraising efforts have been launched to aid the injured and affected residents.
Wayne Woodbury, 76, Searsmont's assistant fire chief, died Sunday at Maine Medical Center from injuries sustained while responding to the May 15 explosion and fire at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont. The blast killed Morrill firefighter Andrew Cross and injured several others, with at least 10 hospitalized previously. Robbins Lumber resumed operations at the Searsmont yard on May 26. A joint federal-state investigation is underway into the cause, with early details noting a sawdust silo explosion and the fire response being hampered by high winds.
Wayne Woodbury, 76, Searsmont’s assistant fire chief, died at Maine Medical Center from injuries sustained in the May 15 Robbins Lumber sawmill explosion, after he and other responders fought the blaze.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis vetoed three bills, including a measure to bar credit card swipe fees on sales taxes starting in 2028, a bill expanding cancer protections for firefighters, and a proposal allowing Coloradans to sue federal immigration agents for constitutional rights violations. The vetoes raise his annual total to 12, surpassing his previous record. Supporters argue the swipe-fee ban would help small businesses; opponents warn of legal and feasibility issues. The firefighter-cancer bill faced cost and implementation concerns, while the immigration bill drew critiques about narrowing protections. Polis cited legal risk, costs, and the need for broader civil-rights protections in his decisions, with more vetoes possible before the session deadline.
Fire officials say a methyl methacrylate-filled pressurized tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove remained at 92°F overnight. Crews temporarily removed a ground hose used to cool the tank to gauge how it would respond without that measure, while water from a facility system continues cooling the vessel. Officials aim to lower the temperature as evacuation zones are scaled back and services resume in the affected area.
Comedian Laura Clery says a 600-pound French-door fridge that wasn’t properly mounted toppled onto her at home, pinning her and nearly killing her while she cared for her two kids. She called 911, and three firefighters freed her; she survived with bruises and soreness and no broken bones. She plans to sue the contractors who installed the fridge for negligence and has publicly thanked the firefighters who saved her.