The man who investigates and helps prevent destructive fires in Chelan County will leave that office in mid-January.
Stephen Rinaldi has been county fire marshal since January 2022, after six months as deputy to then-Fire Marshal Bob Plumb. He previously held the marshal's post in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
Rinaldi is taking a new job in Durango, Colorado, where he plans to retire in about two years, said Chelan County economic development director Ron Cridlebaugh, who supervises Rinaldi's office. The Chelan County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to accept Rinaldi's resignation, effective Jan. 12.
Cridlebaugh said the county has already listed the vacancy to seek new applicants. He also recommended the county partner with the Wenatchee Valley Fire Department in the interim to cover the fire marshal's duties, in areas including fire investigation, prevention programs, building and safety code compliance, and coordination with regional fire districts.