National Fire News

N.Y. Firefighter Directing Traffic Hit by Patrol Vehicle
Theresa Firefighter Lance G. Willix was seriously injured Friday night at the scene of a crash when he was struck by a vehicle driven by a Jefferson County sheriff's deputy.
Feds Say Colorado Wildfire Started on Camp Stove
Hundreds of firefighters are battling a blaze fueled by warm, dry weather in northern Colorado that federal officials say started with a camp stove.
LAFD Audit: Medical Response Waits Slowed After Brownouts
Response slowed by 12 seconds citywide and as much as 20 seconds following budget cuts.
Blackout Knocked Out Boston Fire Communications
The Boston Fire Department lost its communications system in a March blackout that left Downtown in the dark for days.
Five Row Houses Damaged in Suspicious Pa. Blaze
The Allentown blaze sent plumes of smoke more than 100 feet in the air.
Four Arkansas Firefighters Injured Battling Blaze
Four firefighters suffered from smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion following a blaze at a home of one of their own in Taylor Thursday night.
Chicago Fire Dept. to Use Long-Stalled Radio System
The $23 million digital radio system will help speed emergency response during the NATO Summit.
Report: Dispatch Lag Slows LAFD Call Response
Dispatchers on average take far longer than the national standard to send rescuers, analysis shows.
Texas Firefighter Dies During Training Exercise
Brazos County Firefighter William Richard "Dick" Danes was taking part in a ladder training evolution at TEEX Brayton Fire Training Field in College Station Thursday night.
Ill. Homeowner Apprehends Arson Suspects at Gunpoint
A vigilant homeowner turned a rifle on two men suspected of setting fires in the Freeburg area over the past few weeks and held them until authorities arrived.
9/11 Families Upset Over Ground Zero Museum Delays
Construction has largely ground to a halt amid a financial dispute between the Port Authority and the foundation that controls the museum.
More Firefighters Heading to Colo. to Battle Wildfire
U.S. Forest Service officials said the blaze has scorched 1.5 square miles of land but rapidly expanded Thursday fueled by erratic winds.
Mass. Fire Chief Calls Students 'Idiots' After Roof Rescue
Amherst Fire Chief W. Tim Nelson said the three Hampshire College students will be billed for the rescue and he will encourage school officials to sanction the trio for their actions.
Viral Video Helps Determine Calif. Hotel Fire Was Arson
Watsonville police and fire officials believe the blaze that injured at least 11 people and severely damaged the Stag Hotel last month was arson.
Kansas City Crews Canvas Neighborhood After Deaths
Early Wednesday morning, a fire swept through a home on Bennington Avenue, killing a father and his two children.
Injured Conn. Firefighters Released From Hospital
The cause of a fire that heavily damaged a house and garage remains under investigation, but the two firefighters injured have been released from Stamford Hospital.
Quick Work by Calif. Firefighters Limits Damage to Motel
A fire broke out at the Modesto Inn late Thursday afternoon, sending one person to the hospital and possibly displacing others.
Wash. Firefighters to Lose Jobs in Budget-Cutting Plan
Wenatchee Mayor Frank Kuntz unveiled a budget-cutting plan Thursday night that will lay off eight firefighters
W.Va. Firefighters Seek Dismissal of Overtime Case
Charleston firefighters are asking a federal judge to dismiss the city's motion for a declaratory judgment dealing with the way overtime compensation is calculated.
Downed Power Line Sparks Wind-Driven Minn. Wildfire
About 150 acres were charred before firefighters working in the air and on the ground were able to get the blaze in hand.
Connecticut Mayor Announces Firefighter Layoffs
Twenty-five members of the New London Fire Department will be issued layoff notices in June.
Donated Pet Oxygen Masks Let Mich. Crew Save Dog
Earlier this month, the Canton Fire Department use a donated mask for the first time to help save a dog's life.
California Fire Chief Not Allowed to Take a Pay Cut
Shasta Lake Chief Adrian Rogers self-imposed the pay cut in March to "lead by example."
Mandatory Evacuations Ordered for Colorado Wildfire
The Hewlett Fire remains only 5 percent contained and more than 391 firefighters were working to contain it Thursday.
Forecasters Say Heat Could Worsen Fire Season
Forecasters predict high temperatures will stretch through the summer -- a bad sign for wildfires in the West.
Mich. Crews Battle Blaze at Metal Polishing Company
Firefighters battled a stubborn blaze fed by animal fat at a metal polishing company in Ferndale Thursday morning.
Men Charged With Arson Following Ohio Brush Fire
Two New Carlisle men face an arson charge after a brush fire they allegedly set got out of hand.
Indiana Firefighters Battle Smokey Warehouse Blaze
Thick smoke could be seen pouring from a warehouse in Fishers as firefighters battled a blaze Thursday afternoon.
Calif. Woman Burned After Rocks in Pockets Catch Fire
Beach rocks that caused a California woman's shorts to catch fire and severely burn her legs and hands appeared to be coated with phosphorus.
Officials Tout Importance of USFA Re-Authorization
U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell told legislators that the agency has much more work to do to support the nation's firefighters.