Duplex fire in central Vancouver displaces residents in both units

A Sunday evening duplex fire displaced residents from both units, according to the Vancouver Fire Department. Fire crews responded at 7:08 p.m. to 1613 Brandt Road and found smoke coming from the front and rear of the duplex, the fire department said. The unit was “overfurnished,” and the amount of stuff inside made it difficult for crews to gain access. Firefighters backed out of the house and extinguished the blaze from behind the building, according to the fire department. Crews were able to get the fire under control in about 15 minutes. No one was injured. The Red Cross helped residents from both units find somewhere else to stay. Five engines, two ladder trucks and two battalion chiefs responded. The Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause and assessing the damage.
Vancouver Columbian

More Small Brush Fires Pop Up from Unknown Causes in Wenatchee, East Wenatchee

Fire investigators are trying to figure out what’s causing a rash of brush fires that have popped up in recent weeks in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. Two fires lately include one on the side of Grant Road near Fred Meyer that led to a gas station being temporarily shut down, and another one that was quickly put out on Columbia and Benton Streets in Wenatchee overnight Monday morning. Kay McKellar with Chelan and Douglas County Fire Districts 1 and 2 says investigators have little information to go on. “The were unable to determine what caused the fires,” said McKellar. “They were very small brush fires. Nobody has seen anything in the area. (There were) no devices or anything that they were able to find that might give them any idea of how the fires got started.”
KPQ-AM 560 Wenatchee

Kennewick Suspect Sets Car on Fire at Business, Vehicle Destroyed

VIDEO: Monday night Kennewick Police responded to the 400 block of E. Kennewick Ave, for a report of a vehicle fire. When they arrived the car was fully engulfed in flames, likely indicating the suspect had used some sort of accelerant (liquid) to make it go. A nearby security camera captured some footage of the person, appears to be a man. The business was not identified but could be a towing and recovery company that is located in that area. That's based upon the number of vehicles parked in rows at the scene. The car was said to be a total loss. Because of the number of vehicles, it appears this could be a 'random' fire set 'just because.'
KFLD-AM 870 Pasco

Wildfire claims WSU Lind Stations international collection of pine trees

A stand of nearly 100 pine trees collected from around the world survived 45 years at Washington State University’s Lind Dryland Research Station, before succumbing to wildfire in June. “All of us at the station look at this as a big loss,” said station director Bill Schillinger. Since 1928, WSU scientists have raised trees and shrubs at Lind, testing their practicality for landscaping and farm windbreaks in Washington’s arid country—Lind averages less than 10 inches of rainfall annually. Trees were planted periodically and monitored for decades. In May of 1976, Lind staff planted 329 seedlings of the Austrian pine, Pinus nigra Arnold, on the southeast corner of the station’s property. Seedlings came from 40 different sources, including Austria, France, Greece, Spain, and the former Yugoslavia and U.S.S.R.
Washington State University

Woes continue at Ballard homeless camp as explosive weekend fire reported at park site

A blazing fire broke out over the weekend at a Ballard homeless encampment, a site already grappling with violence and criminal activity, according to area residents. No injuries were reported during the blaze, which occurred Saturday at Ballard Commons Park. The cause of the fire was pending but witnesses described hearing an explosion and a popping noise that sounded like ammunition before the flames were seen coming from a container. Residents and community activists say it's time for Seattle City Hall to do something. “After last night's violent explosions and fire, the city's continued inaction is absolutely an epic failure,” said Mike Stewart, executive director of the Ballard Alliance, a booster group for the area.
KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

House destroyed in Graham fire

PHOTOS: A home in Graham is a total loss after it caught fire overnight. Firefighters from Graham Fire & Rescue were called to the home in the 12800 block of 224th Street shortly after 2:30 a.m. Monday. As of 6:30 a.m., crews remained at the scene putting out hot spots. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

Fundraiser set for North Whidbey firefighter who suffered a stroke

An online fundraiser for a North Whidbey firefighter who suffered a stroke while on duty earlier this month has raised almost $20,000 to help him with medical expenses. Daniel Hovelsrud, 28, was at North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Station 25 on Sept. 7 when he collapsed due to a stroke. Fellow first responders took him to Island Hospital in Anacortes before a Life Flight helicopter crew took him to Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. He had another stroke the next day and doctors discovered other factors that led to more complications, adding to his recovery time. Hovelsrud is transitioning from a career in the Navy to firefighting, North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Chief John Clark said. He has served for six years and has been at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island for the past five years. He has volunteered with the fire district since 2020.
South Whidbey Record

Follow Up: Idaho’s struggle to keep up with COVID-19 surge puts pressure on Washington hospitals

Idaho officials announced Thursday they're preparing to ration hospital care due to the COVID-19 surge, and it was the last thing next-door Washington state's top hospital advocate wanted to hear. "It's terrible. I don't know if people understand the gravity of the situation," Cassie Sauer, chief executive of the Washington State Hospital Association, told CNN Thursday evening. "This is not something that should be happening in America at this point." Sauer says hospitals in Washington are getting more requests to take patients from overwhelmed facilities in Idaho. In some cases, sick Idahoans are simply driving themselves across the border seeking treatment. "The fact that it's not causing severe alarm in Idaho is shocking to me," Sauer said.
KDRV-TV ABC 12 Medford