Latest news with #fireprevention
CBS News
2 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Gov. Healey announces new safety measures at assisted living facilities after deadly Fall River fire
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has announced measures to enhance safety at assisted living facilities in the state in the wake of a fire that killed at least nine people in Fall River. "This is a moment to make sure that every assisted living residence is prepared to respond to emergencies and to protect the safety of their residents," said Healey in a statement. Starting July 21, the Executive Office of Aging and Independence will launch a Fire and Life Safety Initiative to make sure all 273 assisted living facilities in Massachusetts are prepared for emergencies. All the facilities are required to send a letter to residents and families outlining fire safety protocols and evacuation procedures. The facilities are also required to post evacuation instructions and exit routes in each residential unit and common areas. This comes after a fire at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River on July 13 killed nine residents and injured dozens more. WBZ I-Team sources said investigators are looking into a number of issues, including the possibility that the fire was caused by smoking near an oxygen tank. The sources also said investigators are also looking into the possibility that the building's sprinkler system may have been clogged and not working properly. Facilities will also be required to complete a survey from the Office of Aging and Independence confirming they're in compliance with fire safety requirements. This includes sprinkler systems, fire drills and maintenance of fire-rated doors and walls. "We are engaging every assisted living provider in this process. By requiring clear communication with residents and detailed reporting to the state, we are making sure resident safety is front and center – today and every day," said Aging and Independence Secretary Robin Lipson in a statement.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Oregon governor declares state of emergency over wildfire threat
A helicopter drops flame retardant on the Cram Fire burning in Jefferson and Wasco counties on July 15, 2025. (Photo by InciWeb/U.S. Forest Service) The threat of wildfires across the Northwest will escalate through the summer, extended forecasts show, due to 'extreme high temperatures.' In response, Gov. Tina Kotek is declaring a state of emergency across Oregon, meant to mobilize state and federal agencies and resources to prevent and respond to fires. Kotek made the declaration on Wednesday in an executive order, following six emergency declarations for individual fires just in the last two weeks. Most of the nearly 60 active fires in the state are in southern Oregon. The statewide emergency will remain in effect until the governor either determines that the threat has significantly receded, the fire season officially ends or until the end of the year. 'Oregon is already experiencing a devastating wildfire season that will have lasting consequences,' Kotek said in a news release. 'The summer is only getting hotter, drier and more dangerous — we have to be prepared for worsening conditions.' The declaration directs state agencies and the National Guard to collaborate on wildfire response and prevention by sharing personnel, equipment and resources. It also directs those agencies and Guard troops to meet requests coming from the state's primary fire agencies — the Oregon Department of Forestry and the State Fire Marshal — and local and tribal governments. It follows six Emergency Conflagration Act declarations for wildfires that have burned thousands of acres. Invoking the act similarly directs state agencies to help local fire departments with staff and with state financial resources. Kotek in her news release also advised Oregonians to sign up for the statewide emergency alert system OR-Alert, to have an evacuation plan and to have an emergency 'go kit' ready. The state's fire dashboard lists 58 active wildfires that have so far burned more than 54,500 acres. Many of the fires are mostly contained. Nearly half of the fires ignited due to natural causes, while the cause is still undetermined for most of the others. Ten fires so far have been determined to be human caused. Most of the fires are in southern Oregon, and all but one of the fires was first discovered within the last two weeks. Nearly half occurred or are burning in Jackson County, six in Josephine County, five in Jefferson County and four in Klamath County. The Department of Environmental Quality on Wednesday advised residents in Klamath and Jefferson counties to stay indoors and avoid being outside doing vigorous physical activity due to smoke from the Hagelstein and Elk fires. No fatalities have been recorded this fire season, but six people have been injured. At least five structures have been recorded damaged or destroyed and only in the Elk Fire. More than 2,200 Oregonians at nearly 900 addresses are currently in an evacuation zone, according to the state fire dashboard. More than half are at the Level 1 'Be Ready' stage. More than 800 are in the Level 2 'Be Set' stage, meaning they should be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. More than 200 are at the Level 3 'Go Now' stage, meaning they are in extreme danger and should be evacuating or already evacuated. Kotek in her news release also encouraged Oregonians who believe they've been charged excessive prices or fees for essential goods and services during a wildfire emergency to report those claims to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Services here. The Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Julia Shumway for questions: info@
CTV News
5 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Campfire ban coming for B.C.'s Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island this week
A campfire is pictured in the Broken Group Islands off the west coast of Vancouver Island in this undated image. (shutterstock) A campfire ban will take effect across much of the Coastal Fire Centre later this week, according to a B.C. Wildfire Service spokesperson. Fire information officer Kimberly Kelly told CTV News on Tuesday that the Category 1 fire ban will take effect Thursday at noon for all areas of the Coastal Fire Centre except the mid-coast and Haida Gwaii. The Coastal Fire Centre encompasses the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and other coastal areas of the province as far north as Bella Coola. A Category 1 fire is defined as a campfire no larger than half a metre wide by half a metre high. Bans on larger Category 2 and 3 open burning have been in place for most of the Coastal Fire Centre since the end of May. Campfire bans imposed by the wildfire service typically apply to areas outside of municipal control. Municipalities have the authority to implement their own fire prevention rules within their boundaries. Open fires are the largest source of human-caused fires in B.C., according to the wildfire service. Bans on open burning are implemented to reduce the likelihood of human-caused fires during times when an increase in lightning-caused fires is anticipated. 'Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000, or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced for up to one year in jail,' the wildfire service says on its website. 'If your fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, you may be fined up to $1 million and/or sentenced to up to three years in jail, as well as be responsible for all firefighting and associated costs.'
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Hosepipe ban prompts North Yorkshire fire safety warning
People are being urged to take extra care to avoid sparking a fire after a hosepipe ban came into Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service issued the warning after months of extremely hot and dry weather prompted Yorkshire Water to impose restrictions.A spokesperson said the dry conditions meant the chances of fires starting outdoors were much higher, but reassured residents the ban would not impact their ability to respond to emergencies."With the Yorkshire Water hosepipe ban now in place, we're all being asked to think a bit differently about how we use water and we'd also ask you to think about how you can help us by reducing fire risks too," they said. "Every small fire has the potential to grow fast in hot, dry weather so let's work together to prevent them before they start."They called on the public to take home litter, especially glass bottles and jars, avoid having bonfires and dispose of cigarettes have also been advised to keep barbecues away from sheds, hedges and fences; and not use disposable barbecues in parks, open spaces or on dry hosepipe ban came into force across the region on Friday, with water bosses saying they expect in to last until restrictions mean more than five million householders have been barred from using hosepipes for activities such as watering the garden, washing the car or filling a paddling pool.
CTV News
10-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Windsor Fire Chief says outdoor open burns are still an issue
The Chief of Windsor Fire and Rescue states that while there's been some improvements - open burns are still a problem in the city. Jamie Waffle says they've seen compliance, but some residents are still getting hit with a hefty bill if they're caught with open burns. Under the City of Windsor by-law that took effect in February 2025, anyone found conducting open burns without approval from the city faces a cost recovery charge equivalent to Ministry of Transportation (MTO) rates. That cost recovery charge starts at $570 per hour per piece of apparatus, plus administration fees, and taxes. These costs are associated with taking fire trucks and crew away from other incidents, such as fires, medical emergencies, or collisions. Windsor Fire and Rescue has responded to 159 open burns in 2025 to date. Chief Waffle says they are seeing more compliance than they've seen in the past. 'It has been a problem for a number of years, but we're seeing maybe a slight decrease, but not where we need to be.' He says certain burns are not allowed. 'Cooking devices only, natural gas, propane appliances, things like that, those are permitted. No open burning, no backyard fire pits anymore, no wood, no debris, no grass, no leaves, that's not permitted.' He says warnings were still being issued up until the month of May, but not anymore. 'It takes our crews away from real emergencies when we get called out to these open burns, and we're dealing with these nuisance calls, it takes our ability to respond to fires, to car accidents, to medical calls. And it means we have to call a crew from a different area of the city when they're not available dealing with these types of calls.' The cost recovery charge will be applied when a residents application has been denied or the individual has not requested an open-air burning permit at all. This by-law applies to any small or large confined fires, outdoor recreational fireplaces, campfires, fire pits, fire bowls, among other similar burning practices. By AM800's Meagan Delaurier and Rob Hindi.
