VIDEO: More than 1,500 cars burn in massive junkyard fire in Southern California

PHOTOS: At least 1,500 vehicles, if not more, inside of an estimated 20-acre junkyard in the Antelope Valley burned in a three-alarm blaze Thursday. Firefighters responded to reports of a “yard fire” at 421 W Ave I off of Sierra Highway in Lancaster just after 3 p.m., L.A. County Fire confirmed to KTLA. In video of the blaze posted to social media, thick plumes of black smoke were seen coming from the location and drifting over the nearby Sierra Highway. Initially, fire officials reported that an estimated 300 crushed vehicles were on fire, though that number continued to rise as the flames spread. Aerial footage from Sky5 showed several explosions, as well as flames jumping the fence causing firefighters to quickly extinguish small vegetation fires.
KTLA-TV CW 5 Los Angeles

New study in North Carolina hopes to learn more about the connection between PFAS and firefighters’ health

VIDEO: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS (or forever chemicals) can be found in almost every American’s bloodstream. Based on your career, though, you could be more exposed than others. The National Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study is starting its research into PFAS and firefighters’ health in North Carolina. Researchers from Duke and NC State are leading the study, hoping to follow firefighters throughout their careers to analyze how PFAS are affecting them. PFAS can be found in certain types of firefighting foam and are used to make firefighters’ uniforms water and oil-repellant. “The occupation of firefighting in 2022 was named a known carcinogen,” researcher Bryan Ormond with NC State said.
WECT-TV NBC 6 Wilmington

Florida EMS unveils Blue Angels-themed ambulances

PHOTO: Escambia County EMS is showing off their new ambulances and they have a different look. Four new ambulances are now wrapped with a Blue Angels theme. The county says the design was developed by an employee and retrofitted by a company to be applied to the ambulances' shape and model. "Being here in Escambia County and Pensacola, the Blue Angels are a pride and joy of this area," Training Supervisor Houston Harvell said. "So anytime we will pull from them to reemphasize what this area is about." They had the new designs put on right before Red, White, and Blues weekend.
WEAR-TV ABC 3 Pensacola

First responders train with Green Bay Packers for Game Day and Draft operations

VIDEO: If you saw emergency vehicles in the parking lot at Lambeau Field on Tuesday, there was no immediate danger. Local first responders gathered at Lambeau for a combined training. Officials participated in a simulated event that helped them prepare for the upcoming Packers season. Green Bay Police Chief Chris Davis says this practice helps with communication and learning where to prioritize resources for all public safety, fire, and EMS workers at large public events. This training exercise practices communication and coordination through simulated events. Chief Davis says the type of training they participated in on Tuesday can be applied for any large event in the city, including the NFL Draft, highlighting the importance for each unit to be prepared for any situation.
WBAY-TV ABC 2 Green Bay

VIDEO: Pallet yard fire in California sends up thick plumes of black smoke

A large commercial fire in Rosemead sent up thick plumes of black smoke visible from throughout the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles. The three-alarm fire was burning on River Avenue just south of the 10 Freeway at a pallet yard where 55-gallon drums were also being consumed by flames. The exact nature of the materials on fire was not immediately known, but a hazardous materials team was responding to the scene. By around 3:30 p.m. firefighters had extinguished most of the visible flames but smoldering materials continued to emit thick clouds of smoke. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No major injuries were reported but one firefighter was treated for heat-related illness. Local residents and people who worked in the area were astonished at the sight.
KABC-TV ABC 7 Los Angeles

County in Georgia hopes to save money and lives with refurbished ambulances

VIDEO: In Gwinnett County, EMS first responders do a thorough inspection of each ambulance in their fleet every day. It’s protocol before responding to an emergency call. Fire Chief Frederick Cephas said it’s critical to keep his medic units in top mechanical shape, and the time has come to replace a dozen of them before they break down. “So, what we’re in the midst of doing is replacing these vehicles, and instead of replacing them with a brand-new vehicle, we instead are doing what we call a remounting process, and that’s taking the patient compartment and putting it on a brand-new chassis,” Cephas said. The chief said a brand-new ambulance costs about $450,000. But his plan to remount the patient compartment on a new chassis instead is a savings of about $200,000 to taxpayers per unit.
WANF-TV CBS 46 Atlanta

For the first time, Fort Worth firefighters get unique cancer screening

VIDEO: Research indicates firefighters are at a higher risk of getting and dying from esophageal cancer. The Fort Worth Fire Department wants to get ahead of it. On Wednesday, the department began esophageal cancer testing at its training facility, which will last through the end of next week. “We’ve done some other cancer screenings, but the previous cancer screenings that we do do not detect the esophageal cancer, which… with our job… we’re at a greater risk than the general public," said Jason Cearley, a battalion chief with the department. The Firefighter Cancer Support Network says firefighters have a 62% higher risk of getting esophageal cancer, and a 39% increased risk of dying from it than others, citing research from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
KXAS-TV NBC 5 Fort Worth

FDNY kick starts new ad campaign on the dangers of lithium-ion batteries

VIDEO: The FDNY has launched a new $1 million ad campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of lithium-ion batteries. Starting soon, officials say New Yorkers will start seeing safety ads on subways, buses, and social media. Yesterday, the FDNY posted an example of one of those ads on 'X' saying, "In 2023, 133 lithium-ion batteries exploded while they weren't even charging." Since 2019, these batteries have started 733 fires, killed 29 New Yorkers and injured more than 442 others, according to the FDNY. Department officials say 55 of those injuries happened in 2024. Today, we asked Bronx residents just how effective they think these ads will actually be. "I think it will bring some awareness," said Juan Ortiz. "Now will that completely eliminate the usage. Probably not. But I think awareness helps."
News 12 The Bronx