Firefighters bracing for a busy fire season

by KREM.com

krem.com

Posted on May 12, 2010 at 4:32 PM

Updated today at 5:14 PM

Related:

• Below average snowfall worrying firefighters of a busy fire season
• Fire experts: Inland Northwest is primed for an active summer

MEAD, Wash. -- Firefighters across the Inland Northwest are bracing for what could be a very busy summer. Low snow-pack, mixed with a dry summer ahead, could create the perfect combination for wildfires.

The Inland Northwest is prone to seasonal wildfires each and every year. Forecaster say this summer could be different, thanks to an El Niño winter. Every year, firefighters go through the routine of practicing how to say safe in fires, and how to defend against them. But with this year's forecast in mind, that practice could be put to use.

Imagine fire is hot on your trail, and you yank out the shelter that could save your life. Firefighters say the air is cooler on the ground than it is just a few inches off the surface. The practice is another sign at Spokane Fire District 9 headquarters that wildfire season is approaching. For the crew, the experience of being close to a fire line never goes away.

"When they actually make a run late in the afternoon and the pure sound of it. It's hard to describe, like a freight train," said Spokane Fire District 9 Captain Greg Anderson.

Chief Bob Anderson hopes those freight trains steer clear of people and homes. Anderson often travels around the country, helping manage wildfire suppression. He knows the outlook is not good.

"Certainly, we have a substantial amount of fuel that's been killed, standing dry and dead timber. A lot of homes that would be at risk," said Anderson.

Chief Anderson is reminding homeowners how they can protect themselves against wildfires. Defensible space around the home, prepare for possible evacuations, and know an escape route.

http://www.krem.com/news/local/Firefighters-bracing-for-a-busy-fire-season-93634134.html

Firefighters Battle

Firefighters battle seven-alarm fire at lower East Side apartment building

BY OREN YANIV AND BILL HUTCHINSON
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Monday, April 12th 2010, 4:00 AM

Hermann for News

Sparks flicker atop apartment building as firefighters battle lower East Side blaze.

Firefighters raced late Sunday night to rescue terrified residents of a lower East Side apartment building that went up in flames.

The raging seven-alarm blaze broke out just before 11 p.m. at 283 Grand St., a six-story building with 16 apartments between Forsyth and Eldridge Sts.

As flames shot out of the roof and black smoke billowed from windows, firefighters scaled ladders to pluck frightened occupants of the building from fire escapes.

It was not immediately clear if anyone was hurt in the blaze.

"There was a lot of smoke and then they [firefighters] told us to come out of the window onto the ladder," said Anna Li, 21, who lives on the top floor of the building.

"It was scary. My legs were shaking," said Li, adding that all five people in her apartment were rescued.

The fire continued to rage into the early-morning hours as it spread to neighboring buildings. Hundreds of firefighters tried to prevent it from consuming the entire block.

Fire officials did not immediately know the cause of the blaze.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/04/12/2010-04-12_its_7_alarms_of_fear_terrified_e_side_residents_rescued.html