Cause of structure fire in Irwin determined to be from grill used inside of garage

PHOTOS: A grill being used to cook inside an Irwin garage caused a structure fire over the weekend. The Swan Valley Fire District was called to the fire on Sunday at 5:45 p.m. The home was evacuated before firefighters arrived and there were no reported injuries. According to a Facebook post from the fire district, when firefighters arrived, the attached garage was in flames. Firefighters were able to save most of the home and belongings inside. Swan Valley Fire District Chief Travis Crystal told EastIdahoNews.com the garage is a total loss. One bedroom inside the house was damaged. Crystal said he met with a state fire marshal on Monday morning and determined the official cause of the fire. The Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office posted online that a malfunction of a propane grill being used inside of a garage was the cause of this fire.
East Idaho News

Mayor appoints Deputy Fire Chief Greg Rightmier as interim Fire Chief for Lewiston Fire Department

On June 5, 2023, Mayor Dan Johnson named Deputy Fire Chief Greg Rightmier as the interim Fire Chief for the Lewiston Fire Department. According to the press release, Chief Rightmier has nearly four decades of fire service experience and has contributed significantly to the operations of the Lewiston Fire Department, serving as the Deputy Fire Chief for almost two years. His administrative and communication skills and steadfast leadership in support of the Fire Chief's office have been commendable. In making this appointment, Mayor Johnson expressed his confidence in Chief Rightmier, stating, "I appointed Chief Rightmier to this leadership position because of his proven capabilities and deep commitment to the safety and well-being of the fire department employees and our community."
Big Country News Connection

Blaine County agencies break ground on first-responder housing project

The development partners of an eight-unit housing project for Wood River Valley first responders have commenced construction and anticipate the project will be completed by the end of the year. Sun Valley City Administrator Jim Keating announced the news in a project update to the Sun Valley City Council and Mayor Peter Hendricks on Thursday. Keating gave the update before council members voted 4-0 to disburse $984,000 to pay for the second of two orders for four prefabricated homes to be installed at a site immediately south of the Greenhorn Fire Station in the mid-valley, adjacent to state Highway 75. Four units had already been ordered from Utah-based manufacturer Zip Kit Homes, through Idaho Falls-based Mountain Valley Prefab.
Idaho Mountain Express - Metered Site

Firefighters put out second alarm house fire in Hayden

Firefighters from multiple departments across Kootenai County put out a second alarm house fire near Hayden View Estates Saturday afternoon. Firefighters were called to the scene just before noon, and immediately sought to determine if anyone was still inside. After the property owner told them the house was empty, firefighters got to work fighting the fire. "We just want to make sure we're not called out to a fire that didn't need to happen. we don't know what the fire season's going to look like, but we all know it's hot already, and things are starting to dry out, so we want people to definitely be safe." Crews remained on scene all afternoon putting out hotspots to ensure the fire didn't spark up again.
KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane

Meridian firefighters rescue child who fell into canal chasing ducks

The Meridian Fire Department responded to a report of a child who had fallen into a canal on Sunday afternoon. Two children were playing near the Ridenbaugh Canal when one of the children fell in while chasing after a family of ducks. A driver saw the child fall into the canal and was able to immediately contact 911. Crews responded and the child was quickly found a half mile down the canal and rescued from the water. The child was treated at the scene and released to their family with no injuries. The Meridian Fire Department would like to ask parents to please remind children not to play around any of the canals as it is easy to fall in and be swept away, possibly leading to drowning. Meridian Fire would like to thank the passing driver who, because of their quick actions, was able to quickly contact 911 and get rescue crews on scene.
KBOI-TV CBS 2 Boise