VIDEO: Seven people have died in three small plane crashes — with no survivors — across Alaska since Friday. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently collecting data and investigating the incidents. Clint Johnson, Chief of the Alaska regional office of the NTSB, said that flying small aircraft is somewhat seasonal. "This is our busy season," Johnson said on Monday. "Historically, the month of September is our busiest season. [There are] a number of things going on: opening of hunting season, people trying to get in their last trips, there's just a lot of folks flying around." Johnson says more air traffic equates to more fatalities. "Another byproduct of that is, obviously, the weather starts turning," he said. "I'm not drawing any conclusions of any of the accidents that we've had, but I can tell you from a very personal standpoint, three [fatal accidents] in three straight days is quite a bit. Keeps our office very, very busy, unfortunately."  

Nearly 24 hours after a pipeline in Deer Park burst into flames, that fire was still intensely burning. The temperature from the fire was so intense it torched a nearby playground. Firefighters hosed down their equipment and nearby homes, but that wasn't enough to fight back against the radiant heat. At least five homes were damaged. Officials announced Monday evening an SUV drove through a fence and hit the pipeline valve. Energy Transfer owns the pipeline and after more than three hours, they were able to shut down two valves to cut off the natural gas fueling the fire. Those two valves are twenty miles apart, according to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. All the gas still in those lines has to burn off before the fire goes out.  

VIDEO: Boise is growing up and out, which is making for more homes and more fires for our firefighters to battle. So, is all the growth making you less safe? We talked to Boise's Fire Chief to find out. Growth is a fact of life in the Boise area. The population exploded by more than 50% in the past two decades. It means more apartments, taller buildings, and a denser downtown. Does that mean firefighters' tactics are having to change to keep up with the changing skyline? Boise Fire Chief Mark Niemeyer said they're ready to fight any fire anywhere. But there is a pretty big problem with all this growth. "We're always learning new techniques, but the core components of fighting those fires really haven't changed, even with the growth," said Chief Niemeyer.  

VIDEO: In Forrest County, the McLaurin Volunteer Fire Department welcomed a new fire truck, but this one has a deeper meaning. Stationed near Camp Shelby, the sides of the new McLaurin fire truck feature the American flag and a silhouette of a soldier kneeling. On the back is an emblem that reads, ‘Honoring those who served,' with a 22 in the middle that signifies the number of veterans that commit suicide daily in the United States. Forrest County Fire Coordinator Chip Brown says this truck symbolizes a thank you to all who have fought for our country. "This truck will be stationed right by Camp Shelby Ridge, at the McLaurin Volunteer Fire Department, and we want to honor those who serve our country," said Brown.