Salem-News.com Fire-fighters articles Page 57

Dynamite Blast Kills 37 in Northern Mexico

Three Mexican reporters were among those killed.

(MEXICO CITY) - Authorities in northern Mexico say an explosion involving 25 pounds of dynamite killed 37 people, possibly more, and injured more than 140 others.

CNN reports that there were 30 critically wounded people and five of the injuries were extremely critical.

Eyewitnesses say the blast took place around 40 minutes after a truck carrying the explosives collided with another vehicle and caught fire.

Two Alarm Fire at Big Eddy Marina Destroys Three Homes‏

The fire presented some very difficult challenges early in the incident when a standpipe system installed on the floating docks ruptured and failed.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Three homes at Big Eddy Marina were totally destroyed by a 2-alarm fire early Saturday morning. Big Eddy Marina located at 19609 NE Marine Drive, contains approximately 66 homes.

Lt Doug Jones with Portland Fire & Rescue says a passerby on Marine Drive reported the fire at about 5:28 AM. This marina is located in the City of Gresham Fire District. "When Gresham firefighters arrived at 5:36 AM, they reported at least one fully involved houseboat fire. A second alarm was called for at 5:44 AM."

Area Heroes Honored by the Red Cross

Each year the Willamette Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross recognizes those who go above and beyond the call of their communities.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Willamette Chapter of the American Red Cross honored local citizens at the third annual REAL HEROES Breakfast Thursday.

“The event is held in September not only because it is National Disaster Preparedness Month but also as a time when we recall the incredible heroism of so many Americans following the attacks of September 11th”, said Karen Schultz, executive director of the Red Cross.

Blackhawk, Junior Firefighter Games, K-9 Demonstrations Highlight Jefferson Emergency Services Expo This Saturday‏

All kinds of emergency services will be on hand for the event.

(JEFFERSON, Ore.) - The 13th Annual Emergency Services Expo will be held on Saturday, September 8th from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM at the Jefferson High School grounds behind the stadium.

Fire District spokesperson Elaine Parrott says this year's event is full of activities for all ages with over 50 presenters and displays.

Homes Near GW Fire See Threat Reduce

The Governor invoked the Conflagration Act Monday at 8:38 PM, and ordered the State Fire Marshal to dispatch firefighters and equipment to help local resources provide structural protection.

(BLACK BUTTE, Ore.) - Structural firefighters from Linn, Clackamas, Benton and Yamhill counties have been demobilized from the GW Conflagration due to the decreasing threat to structures in the area, a spokesperson from the state of Oregon reported today.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal Red Incident Management Team turned control of the fire back to the Black Butte Ranch Fire District for structural protection at 6:00 PM last evening.

Keizer Fire District Ceremony Set to Remember 9-11 Attack

The time of the ceremony is to coincide with the time the two towers of the World Trade Center collapsed.

(KEIZER, Ore.) - The Keizer Fire District will remember the tragic events and those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania on September 11th, 2001.

"A remembrance ceremony, on the sixth anniversary of this tragic event, will be held on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 and is scheduled to begin at 7:00 AM," Fire Spokesman Jim Trett said.

GW Fire in Central Oregon Declared a Conflagration‏

The "GW" comes from George Washington Mountain, located near the central Oregon fire.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon Governor Theodore Kulongoski declared the GW Fire located near Black Butte as the state's second conflagration of 2007.

The declaration cleared the way for State Fire Marshal Nancy Orr to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire. The request to invoke the Oregon Conflagration Act was made by Deschutes County Fire Defense Board Chief Tay Robertson.

Roads Closing Near Bend Over Oregon Wildfire

Highway 20 is open but moving slowly, two other highways are evacuation routes from this part of Central Oregon.

(BLACK BUTTE, Ore.) - Evacuations have been ordered in the Black Butte area near Bend, Oregon over a wildland fire that had already burned 5,400 acres by this morning.

Carol Cushing with the Central Oregon Incident Management Team says 1,200 residences are on the evacuation list. The Level 3 fire evacuation order was issued by the Douglas County Sheriff at 2:30 PM, primary to fire behavior and public safety.

30 People Escape Apartment Fire in Milwaukie

Investigators say this is a case where fire sprinklers in an apartment building could have significantly reduced fire damage.

(MILWAUKIE, Ore.) - A 4 alarm fire broke out at the Clackamas Heights Apartments just before 3:00 PM Friday. Clackamas firefighters arriving at the apartments at 10807 Monroe in Milwaukie, they found heavy fire showing from the southwest corner of the apartments.

The first arriving crews found the rear of the apartment complex fully involved along with an out building. Large trees next to the apartment building were also fully involved.

Brush Fire on Wiseman/Miller Island Still Burning

A Fish and Wildlife biologist at the scene says the fire jumped to another small island within the menagerie of pockets of land that are encompassed by the North Santiam River.

(JEFFERSON, Ore.) - The fire on Wiseman/Miller Island east of Jefferson continues to burn today, but fire officials say it is is not as intense as it was yesterday when the fire doubled in size.

"The fire is causing smoke in the Jefferson/Marion area, but at the present time the fire does not appear to be threatening any private property," Fire Spokesperson Elaine Parrott said.