It’s very important in a crisis that people stay in contact,” Mayor Paul Coogan said in a wide-ranging interview from his office Friday.

A Southern California man has been charged for allegedly impersonating a firefighter after officials found a fire truck and other first responder gear in his home.

An unusual monsoon pattern is bringing the chance for rare July thunderstorms to the Southland. Meteorologists say the biggest concern is dry lightning starting a fire.

Fire crews working across western Colorado made more progress containing and slowing the growth of several wildfires Thursday.

Ten people were at the home in Tacoma's Midland neighborhood when the fire started, according to Central Pierce County Fire and Rescue.

The building was surrounded by vegetation on fire when a team of “helitack” firefighters arrived to protect the area on Tuesday. Grand Canyon National Park officials said the crews knew if the pump house fell, the consequences could cripple park operations for months.

After the Butler Fire crossed the Salmon River, more evacuations were ordered Thursday night in the mountains of Siskiyou County. The wildfire, sparked by lightning on July 3, had burned 11,641 acres (18 square miles) and was 2% contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. It is the larger fire in the Orleans Complex.

Three people are dead and one is in critical condition after a house fire in West Jordan Friday morning. West Jordan Police Sgt. Andrew Hercules said the initial call reporting the fire at 6340 W. 8270 South came in about 10:15 a.