AUDIO: Alaska is heading into wildfire season, and firefighters are gearing up to be ready for it. That includes smokejumpers, who parachute in to fight some of the most remote fires, often providing the first boots-on-the-ground attack as they try to keep the flames from spreading out of control. One smokejumper based in Alaska is Dylan Brooks with the Bureau of Land Management‘s Alaska Smokejumpers. Brooks was in Anchorage recently talking to kids about his job as part of Campbell Creek Science Center's Outdoor Week. And as he explains, smokejumping is among the most elite - and exciting - firefighting there is.  

PHOTO: Home Depot is paying $1.3 million in fines after an investigation revealed fire code violations following an arson that burned a South San Jose store to the ground, prosecutors said. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen's office announced the fine against the hardware giant Monday, which followed an investigation by the DA's office and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives into the 2022 fire that destroyed the store on Blossom Hill Road. "Fire code violations are potential tragedies in waiting. Ignoring them isn't just risky; it's reckless. It risks far more than property. It risks lives," Rosen said in a statement. On April 9, 2022, a man trying to steal tools set a fire in the store. The fire quickly spread, destroying the 98,827 square foot store, causing an estimated $17 million in inventory loss.  

VIDEO: D.C. fire officials say drivers are double-parking near firehouses, leading to delays that could have life-or-death consequences. Firefighters at 414 8th St. SE more frequently see ride-share and delivery drivers parked in the marked area, often leaving vehicles unattended. Saturday, when firefighters there were rushing to a call for a crash on Interstate 295, they were blocked by a double-parked car. "They were blasting their airhorn and their siren," said Vito Maggiolo of D.C. Fire and EMS. "Nobody came to the vehicle initially. When the driver did come out, he was very nonchalant about it. No sense of urgency." The firefighters were supposed to be blocking the road to prevent other vehicles from entering the scene where other firefighters were trying to help the injured, Maggiolo said.  

VIDEO: An American flag flew gently in the breeze at half-staff Monday outside of Fire Station #1 in Canton. Inside, the gear of Jared Kneale, including his helmet, gloves and boots, were displayed by a fire truck as a tribute to a man who was loved by so many. "Words can't express the loss. Jared was a great guy. He's the guy that everybody ran to. He was the guy who lit up the room," said Division Chief Steven Henderson. On a touching Canton Fire Facebook post, Kneale was also remembered as the "head chef" at the station who had an infectious laugh and always looked to help others. Firefighters were devastated to learn that Kneale, a 42-year-old married father of six children, died from suicide last Friday. With permission from Kneale's family, firefighters shared part of the story to create awareness, and because they believe something positive must come out of the death.