The future of firefighting in Chelan and Douglas counties is looking brighter this fall, thanks to two federal grants and one levy lid-lift.
By January, 13 more full-time professional firefighters will be on duty in Wenatchee and Chelan, it was announced Friday. Their salaries will be paid for two years by federal grants awarded late this summer.
In addition, a levy lid lift in Douglas County, which voters passed in 2015, has allowed Fire District 2 officials in East Wenatchee to hire two more firefighters. They will start in early November. Officials also expect to add a third firefighter by April.
"This will put more guys on the line," said Chief Mike Burnett, of Chelan County Fire District 1 in Wenatchee. "When the call comes through, we will be able to get that many more guys out the door that much quicker."