Bright and sunny spring days are a good reminder as to why Alaska's state law requires burn permits from April 1st through August 31st. Brush pile burning and the use of burn barrels are two of the leading sources of human caused wildland fires in Alaska. Each year as the snow rapidly melts, the fine dead grassy fuels dry out in the bright sunshine and unintentional wildfires are easily sparked. Exposed, dead grass and brush in yards and around burn barrels can dry out within just a few short hours of sunlight and become extremely flammable. In most cases, grass fires spread rapidly and can cause damage to structures, home, equipment, and other infrastructure. Unextinguished hot ember and ash piles can thaw the ground and burn down into root systems, mulch, and moss and rekindle in later weeks when hot, dry weather settles in.  

VIDEO/PHOTOS: One person died and a child was injured in a massive fire that impacted multiple buildings in East Boston early Tuesday morning. The fire started around 5 a.m. in a multi-family building on Meridian Street and traveled to two adjacent buildings, the Boston Fire Department said. Boston Fire Commissioner Paul Burke said one person died in the fire, and a child was injured and remains hospitalized. The child's condition was not immediately known. Four other people were rescued from the building, and one firefighter suffered minor injuries battling the blaze. "I want to share my deepest condolences to the family who has lost someone here this morning," Mayor Michelle Wu said at a press conference near the scene on Tuesday morning.  

VIDEO: Thirteen men and women started a new career in Bloomington on Monday after changes in application requirements allowed them to follow their dreams. In October, the Bloomington Fire Department eliminated the requirement for potential hires to be paramedic-certified before joining the team. Instead, future first responders will learn everything they need to know through the department. Phillip Taylor is a member of the first round of hires since the new changes went into place. He says this way of becoming licensed will save him time and money in the long run. "It just makes it easier, and now I already have a department that I'm going to be working with, and so then I'll have that license, and then I'll already be able to use it right then and there," Taylor said.  

On any given day, residents across Portage County might see Assistant EMS Chief Joe Gemza from the Stevens Point Fire Department on the front lines of local emergencies. But they also might recognize him from a popular Wendy's commercial. Under the moniker "Tyler" of the goofy pitchmen pair Tyler and Toby, Gemza has been selling junior bacon cheeseburgers and chocolate Frostys to anyone who'll listen for over a year. "You can't be a firefighter-paramedic forever," Gemza told the Metro Wire. "Plus, my wife wants a hot tub." Gemza said he shot his scenes at a Wendy's corporate restaurant in Madison, close enough to home that his work schedule wasn't interrupted. The chain has 59 locations in Wisconsin, with the most recent opening in Plover last year.