Alaska National Guardsmen returned home from Florida after helping clean up the destruction left behind from Hurricane Milton. Fifty Guardsmen were expected to deploy to the state starting late last week and over the weekend, the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs said, but after 13 guardsmen arrived, they were sent home. The mission was expected to last 10 days. The Department of Military and Veteran Affairs said the hurricane's impact was not as severe as anticipated, and the Florida National Guard decided it no longer needed so much out of state support. Eight people with the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management are still helping with hurricane response in North Carolina, Florida and Virginia, the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs said.  

One person was injured in an explosion at a propane production facility in Waller County on Wednesday afternoon, according to emergency officials. It happened around 12:30 p.m. at the RapidXchange Production Facility on FM 529 in Brookshire, about 10 miles north of I-10. As of 3:30 p.m., the Waller County Fire Marshal's Office said the fire was under control and the grass fire surrounding the facility was completely contained. Smoke from the fire could be seen on Houston TranStar cameras from the Katy Freeway and workers at businesses around the area said they saw thick black smoke and fire shooting from the building. Workers were present at the facility at the time of the explosion and said they weren't exactly sure what happened, but when the initial blast took place, all employees were told to evacuate.  

PHOTOS: The Summit Fire and Rescue team is sending gratitude to the Blountsville and Brooksville Fire and Rescue teams after two of their crew members were involved in a apparatus wreck. According to Summit Fire and Rescue, via Facebook, the station received a call Tuesday, October 15, that reported a Fire truck from station 60 had overturned. Summit Fire says both men are alive, but both sustained injury. Summit Fire and Rescue thanks the Brooksville Fire and Rescue and the Blountsville Fire and Rescue for their assistance.  

VIDEO: If you call for fire services in one of 35 counties in Georgia, specially trained prison inmates may be the first to respond. Amid a historic shortage of firefighters, Georgia counties are increasingly turning to state prisons for manpower. The latest data from the National Fire Protection Association reports the lowest number of volunteer firefighters nationwide since 1991. About a fourth of all Georgia counties are now sourcing help from state prison inmates participating in the Georgia Department of Corrections' Firefighter Program. The program was established in 1963 to train incarcerated people to be firefighters while they serve their time in prison. Once they are certified, the inmates can respond to fires within the community -- outside the prison fence.  

VIDEO: Early cancer detection screenings started on Wednesday for Chico firefighters, their families and city officials to ensure that those who serve the community can take important steps for their health. The Galleri test, developed by Grail LLC, offers an annual health screening for firefighters in Chico. The test analyzes blood samples to detect specific genetic traits associated with more than 50 different types of cancer. By identifying these shared traits early, the Galleri test aims to enhance cancer detection and promote proactive health management for firefighters in Chico. The Chico Fire Department has faced loss from cancer, with two of its firefighters succumbing to cancer, believed to have developed as a result of their service.  

VIDEOS: White House Cabinet Secretaries and federal leaders heard testimony from fire service national leaders on climate change, building codes, recruitment and retention, firefighter health and safety, EMS and the new national fire data platform NERIS. This year, the afternoon State of Science sessions focused on Structure Fire Impact and Resilience, Science to the Station, Climate Driven Data and Technology, and the USFA Wildfire Evacuation Project.