Kelso, WA – Firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue and Cascade Natural Gas employees responded to a Natural Gas leak just before 2:30 in the 300 block of Hawthorne St. A resident in the area accidentally struck the top of an older capped gas line pipe, hidden under briar bushes, with a lawnmower. The resident heard a hissing sound and smelled Natural Gas; he left the area and called 911. Chief Officers from Cowlitz 2 ordered homes in the area downwind from the leak to be evacuated; Cowlitz County deputies and firefighters evacuated 17 people from nearby homes. Cascade Natural Gas was also notified and responded with multiple crews. The crews later clamped off an underground gas line on the other side of the street to stop the leak from a safe area. No injuries were reported.
Always leave the area and call 911 anytime the smell of rotten eggs is apparent when Natural Gas is being used. Other signs of a Natural Gas leak include hissing sounds, dead or dying plants, and if you or others in the home experience dizziness or headaches. More information on Natural Gas can be found at: https://www.cngc.com/in-the-community/about-us/
Date: 7/25/2020
Recreational fire causes Brush Fire several hours after extinguishment
Longview- Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue responded to the 700 block of Nevada Drive Saturday morning for a reported out of control brush fire. C2FR Battalion Chief arrived to find a 20x20ft brush fire that was spreading down the hill towards Nevada Drive.
C2FR personnel cut fireline through heavy slash fuels, encircling the perimeter and extinguishing the fire within its initial size. The fire was contained within 30 minutes.
The residents report they had a small recreational fire the previous evening but were certain that they had completely extinguished it before going to bed.
The Seasonal Burn Ban began July 15th in Cowlitz County. Information about the burn ban is available at: https://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/570/Burning-Regulations
Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue continues to respond to many increasingly large wildland/brush fires in the recent years. With the impending Severe Heat Wave and tinder dry fuels in the area, it is imperative that all residents abide by the ban and practice safe, legal burn practices year-round
Nine C2FR personnel responded with 1-fire engine, 2- brush engines and 1-Chief Officer.
LT. Dan W. Cothren, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue
Longview- Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue responded to Willow Grove Park just before 6 PM this evening for a reported Jet ski accident with serious injuries.
Details from the reporting persons gave rescuers enough information to activate LifeFlight, from Astoria prior to arriving onscene. C2FR crews located the victim at the far west side of the park, laying at the shoreline with multiple bystanders. C2FR Medics assessed the victim and determined that his injuries where potentially life threatening. Longview Fire Department arrived on scene and assisted with pt. care and transfer to ambulance as C2FR Battalion Chief, CCSO and Park Security assisted with setting up the Life Flight landing zone in the adjacent parking lot.
C2FR ambulance transported the victim to the boat launch parking lot where Life Flight landed several minutes later and rapidly transported the victim to Southwest WA Medical Center.
Parties involved in the accident state the accident had occurred a distance downriver from the park. Victims jet ski was struck on the side by another jet skier with stated speed 40-50 mph. It is unclear if the jet ski went fully over the victim but he was ejected from his ski. The other jet skier was able to retrieve the victim, load him onto his jet ski and transport him to the beach. All person were wearing personal floatation devices (PFD)
Reporting parties accurate information and assessment, use of PFD’s as well as early activation of Life Flight lead to no delays in patient care and transport, which can occur at many incidents similar to this evenings.
1-Fire engine, 1-ambulance and 1-Chief Officer along with CCSO Deputies and Park Security assisted with this incident
CCSO will be investigating this incident and the victims jet ski has not been located at time of press release
LT. Dan W. Cothren, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue