The Division of Forestry and Fire Protection Type 2 White Mountain Initial Attack Crew is demobilizing off the Clear Fire (#346) today, Monday, after completing the last of their work. White Mountain is the last crew assigned to the fire. All that will remain is a contingent of heavy equipment operators and Fairbanks Area Forestry firefighters supporting them as they finish with road repair and grading in the Kobe Ag and Anderson subdivisions as the weather allows. Property owners need to be aware of equipment operating in the area. Members of the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection Type 2 White Mountain Initial Attack Crew carry a tent as they break down camp at the Incident Command Post of the Clear Fire (#346) on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. White Mountain completed their work and are demobilizing from the fire Monday.  

A Lexington transformer exploded Monday afternoon, sparking a three-alarm fire and sending those in the area running for cover, according to Lexington Fire Department. "I saw this big poof of smoke and then boom, big orange fireball," said witness Alexandra Schweitzer. The explosion happened just before 6:00 p.m. at an Eversource substation on Massachusetts Avenue. "Power turned off in the building for a brief second, followed by a few loud explosions. I immediately went in the kitchen and turned off the gas," said Sorabh Kapoor, owner of Clay Oven Restaurant. Firefighters rushed to the scene working to keep the flames from spreading to nearby buildings, fighting the blaze in over 90-degree heat. "The volume of fire you dealt with is maybe one or two alarms worth of fire, but we brought in three," said Lexington Fire Department Chief Derek Sencabaugh.  

With firefighter shortages emerging in Bedford County, one man decided he wanted to get involved in the action, regardless of his age. Rusty Mansel recently received his "Firefighter 1" course completion certificate at the age of 67 from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs and the Virginia Fire Services Board, all with no prior firefighting experience. Mansel retired five years ago, but before he started his new role with the Big Island Volunteer Fire Company, he says he volunteered with the local search and rescue team, which is when he began to notice emergency responder shortages. "There's just not that many volunteers, so after a couple of years of doing that, I asked my chief, I said, ‘what do I need to do to help more?' And he said, ‘well, I need you to take Firefighter 1,'" Mansel said.  

VIDEO: A Detroit firefighter was trapped for hours as other firefighters rushed to get him out after a home collapsed. No major injuries were reported. Detroit firefighters believed they were dealing with a suspected serial arsonist. The same crew had been called to three vacant houses on West Hollywood Avenue just that week. On July 28, there was another fire the crew had under control from the outside. Then three veteran firefighters from the crew went inside to check for hot spots and to see if any people were inside. Local 4 investigators were told the first floor was dangerously unstable. The three firefighters were checking out the second level when they heard a crack. The floor collapsed right out from under them, all three falling down to the first floor.  

PHOTOS: In a garage near Littlerock sits the second firetruck to ever be used by Olympia firefighters, among other decommissioned trucks, gear and most importantly, a couple dozen firefighters who have worked to create this makeshift museum. Retired firefighters continued to trickle in throughout the late morning. On their badges, Tumwater, West Thurston, Olympia, Seattle and beyond are represented. Despite being from all different places, the conversation was flowing as easily as the coffee. The "living museum," as it is referred to by West Thurston Fire Authority Chief Robert Scott, was organized by Larry Dibble, former Olympia fire chief, who said his mission statement for the place is to "keep tradition alive." It is hosted by property owner Ray McDonald, also an alumnus of Olympia Fire.