What does Seattle need for coming smoky summers? Clean air shelters, new rules to protect workers, and patience

Seattle at its smokiest Wednesday

What should we do about coming smoky summers? Ask a firefighter (Image: Amanda Monthei)

Should Washington fight the Bolt Creek Fire to protect Seattle’s air?,” CHS asked seven days ago as we reported on the factors being considered by the Washington Department of Natural Resources in its command of the state’s firefighting resources. Those factors include communities, homes, and highways — but not air quality.

Now, after more smoke from newly surging incidents like the Loch Katrine fire poured into the region and pushed Seattle to some of the most dangerous air on earth this week, raindrops are finally starting to fall on Capitol Hill.

It is the right time to start getting ready for next summer — and the smoky summers that will follow.

A wildland firefighter who just came off the Bolt Creek Fire working as a Public Information Officer, Amanda Monthei has seven years experience with wildfires and says cities like Seattle need to prepare with new resources and clean air shelters in a new smokier future — fires on some of the nearest mountains and in wildlands only minutes away need the flames. Continue reading

Five residents displaced after two-alarm apartment fire near 27th/Cherry

Seattle firefighters battled roaring flames and sweltering temperatures to put out a two-alarm apartment fire near 27th and Cherry Thursday evening.

SFD responded to 540 27th Ave at 4:40 PM, where flames had engulfed the front of the building. No injuries were reported, but SFD said five people will be displaced from the blaze. 

The fire was accidentally caused by improperly discarded smoking materials on the building’s front porch, according to SFD. 

Crews managed to rescue three cats and a dog from the building and treated the pets for smoke inhalation. Misting fans were brought out to cool off firefighters working in 92+ degree temperatures.

 

#fire #nobueno

 

A video posted by David Knirk (@senorfrijoles) on

I-5 car fire under Pine St. sends smoke over Capitol Hill

(Image: SDOT)

(Image: SDOT)

A Tuesday morning car fire resulting from a four car collision on I-5 under the Pine St. overpass sent a plume of smoke over Capitol Hill and backed up traffic for miles in both directions on I-5.

The Washington State Patrol said investigators determined the 8:15 AM collision was caused by a distracted driver.

Medics transported one 67-year-old driver to the hospital as a precaution. Onlookers above I-5 captured images and video of the fire and brief rescue effort as Seattle Fire crews worked to extinguish the flames.

Shortly after the collision, all northbound I-5 traffic was diverted on to the Olive Way exit causing significant backups on Capitol Hill. Traffic began flowing again around 9 AM on I-5.

Seattle Fire battles stubborn blaze in 19th Ave E apartment building

Firefighters battled a fire sending up smoke and flames from the back of a one-story apartment in the 400 block of 19th Ave E Wednesday night.

The blaze was extinguished within ten minutes on the exterior of the building but flames in the attic required a longer response. UPDATE: Seattle Fire says the fire was caused by an external light fixture and that the building is currently empty while it awaits a planned construction project.

The blaze was originally reported just before 8:30 PM and a caller saw a great deal of white smoke rising into the sky.

We do not yet have details on any injuries of the extent of damage. The fire was reported out about 30 minutes after the initial response. UPDATE: No injuries were reported.

The fire did about $10,000 worth of damage to the structure.

801 Pine apartment tower cleared after garbage chute fire

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@divalins posted this image from the scene

@divalins posted this image from the scene

Around 300 people were evacuated from the building and Pine was shut down out of downtown Thursday night as Seattle Fire responded to a blaze in the garbage chute of the 25-story Tower 801 apartment building.

According to Seattle Fire, investigators were working to determine the cause of the fire that  filled the chute with smoke and necessitated the building’s evacuation. The smoke was first reported just before 5:45 PM.

A large SFD ventilation unit helped clear the building of smoke.

Sunday fire at 11th Ave E house blamed on BBQ

Lost Lake diner wasn’t the only thing on Capitol Hill catching fire this weekend. Seattle Fire rushed to the scene of smoke and flames at a 11th Ave E home north of Volunteer Park Sunday after a BBQ grill blaze spread to the deck. The fire was quickly extinguished, damage was limited and there were no reported injuries but the grill-sparked blaze was part of an ongoing problem for SFD. They’ve included a few tips for summer grilling, below. It’s especially pertinent for grilling in the crowded confines of Capitol Hill’s apartment buildings — we’re pretty sure that #5 is almost impossible on most apartment balconies so better make sure the rest of the list is locked down when you break out the hibachi.

BBQ Grill Causes Fire to Capitol Hill Home

April 14- Firefighters quickly extinguished a BBQ fire which spread to a Capitol Hill home located in the 1900 block of 11th Avenue East. Continue reading

Fire scorches under-construction Pike/Pine diner Lost Lake

(Image: Alex Crick)

(Image: Alex Crick)

Seattle Fire responded quickly Saturday night to a fire reported inside the building home to under-construction Lost Lake 24-hour diner on 10th Ave between Pike and Pine but not before flames and smoke did significant damage to the project that had been slated to open at the end of this month.

There were no reported injuries.

UPDATE: Seattle Fire has determined that “improperly discarded rags” spontaneously combusted inside the building causing an estimated $20,000 in damage to the building and the business.

[mappress mapid=”35″]The large response of multiple fire units began just after 9 PM with a report of fire inside the  under-construction space. It has not been confirmed at this time where the fire started or spread in the building. Via fire radio dispatches, respondents said the fire appeared to be in a mechanical room away from the diner space.

The fire was quickly brought under control but not before fire, water and smoke damage. Firefighters also entered the building by smashing through the new diner’s glass. The newly installed neon sign for Lost Lake still shone as firefighters mopped up the scene and the marshall inspected the site to determine the cause of the blaze.

CHS last wrote about the project from Pike/Pine nightlife veterans Jason Lajeunesse and Dave Meinert here:

“Still planning on 24 hours, bar opens at 6am, closes at 2am daily,” Dave Meinert wrote via email. “Lots of beers on tap. It’ll have the best happy hour on the hill. And we’ll have huge portions of good food for great prices. And a great jukebox.”

CHS spoke Lajeunesse at the scene who confirmed the damage to the building. Continue reading