Legislation would allow Seattle Fire Department to order demolition of unsafe vacant buildings

New proposed legislation would make it easier to demolish or remediate dangerous vacant buildings in the City of Seattle. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the legislation Thursday morning which he developed in partnership with councilmembers Tammy Morales and Bob Kettle, which would give the Seattle Fire Department the power to order complete demolition or remediation of unsafe vacant buildings. Vacant building fires within the city of Seattle have been on the rise over the last few years. There were 77 vacant building fires in 2021, 91 in 2022, and 130 in 2023, and there have been 30 so far in 2024, according to city data. Vacant building fires require a large number of resources from the Seattle Fire Department and put firefighters lives at risk, according to Fire Chief Harold Scoggins. Three people died in vacant building fires in 2023.
KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue firefighters gear up after early drought declared in Washington

Potentially dangerous drought conditions are expected this summer across most of Washington. The state’s Department of Ecology has made an emergency drought declaration. This comes as we have seen drier and warmer conditions this year, which has lead to a lower snowpack. The entire state is under the drought emergency with the exception of the Everett, Seattle and Tacoma metro areas, for now. Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue Firefighters say having drought this early is concerning. The department dealt with the devastating Bolt Creek Wildfire in 2022. “I’m pretty shocked to see it happen this early in the year,” Public Information Officer Peter Mongillo said. Firefighter Ray Sayah said, “In Western Washington, we’ve been accustomed to a wet, dry climate. Wildland fires have been an afterthought. But more recently, in Western Washington, it’s become a concern that we’ve had.”
KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

Fire in Benton City destroys 5 buildings

VIDEO: Fire officials said a fire in Benton City spread to be around 20 acres of property and destroyed at least 5 buildings. While the cause is still under investigation, officials said it may have started due to a spark from a piece of machinery in a nearby field. The fire was able to spread quickly to several trees and a nearby abandoned home. Fire crews responded to the call for help just after 1 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The fire was in the area of north Harrison Loop and north River Road. Smoke filled the air, and plumes of smoke could be seen from Pasco. Fire officials mentioned that the wind played a big factor in putting the fire out. The wind allowed the fire to spread from the grass to nearby trees and then an abandoned property where it destroyed at least five structures including a house, two sheds and a gazebo.
Apple Valley News Now

Zillah Fire Chief Paul Stonemetz honored with statewide volunteer award

Fire Chief Paul Stonemetz celebrated his retirement on Thursday, April 11, surrounded by family, colleagues, and community members. At the event, Chief Stonemetz was honored with the Statewide Volunteer Award from Serve Washington, the Governor’s Commission on National & Community Service. The Award was presented to Stonemetz by Michael Grayum, Zillah City Administrator and commissioner for Serve Washington. “We are honored to celebrate Paul, our chief, because he was selected as the volunteer for this entire central region,” Grayum said. “He’s a volunteer and a part time firefighter with a full time impact.” This year, a new approach was used in the selection process for the Statewide Volunteer Award selection, with a new nomination process being implemented.
Sunnyside Sun - Metered Site