Serving the cities of Yelm, Rainier, and surrounding unincorporated areas.
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Flood Watch!

Thurston, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties are all currently under a flood watch, starting Friday afternoon (12-29-17) and lasting until Saturday afternoon (12-30-17), as of this posting. According to the National Weather Service alert, the watch means that there is a chance of flooding, based on current forecasts. Keep up to date with the latest forecasts and check the NWS watch alert here.

SETFA Among Train Accident First Responders

Around 7:40 this morning, the new Amtrak Cascades train derailed near Mounds Road, close to DuPont. The train left the Tacoma Dome Station, heading to Olympia and Portland, derailed off the bridge near DuPont, hitting multiple vehicles on I-5. All southbound lanes on I-5 have been closed as first responders work the scene. Firefighters/EMT and Law Enforcement from SE Thurston Fire Authority (Yelm & Rainier), Lacey Fire District #3, Olympia, Pierce County, and others are on the scene. 

The Amtrak Cascades line runs from Vancouver, British Columbia through Olympia on its way to Eugene, Oregon, and is jointly managed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). This specific train was part of a newly launched high-speed service between Seattle and Portland.

Photo: Washington State Police | Trooper Brooke Bova

 

So, what happened?

Details are still coming, but here’s what’s known so far: Around 7:40 this morning, the train, moving at nearly 80 miles per hour, derailed along the Point Defiance Bypass, spilling over the overpass onto I-5 and striking cars on the roadway. This train was running a new route with new high-speed locomotives.

Photo: Washington State Police | Trooper Brooke Bova

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

King5 will have updates on this story.

Redwind Casino Delivers Holiday Gifts to the SE Thurston Fire Department

The Redwind Casino employees of the Green Team organized a fundraiser for the Holiday Gift Drive.

With the help of Redwind Casino employees Erin Eckstein, Patricia Rigby, and other employees, you will make the Holiday brighter and put a smile on a child’s face who may otherwise not have received any gifts, at all.

Thank you Redwind Casino Green Team. You’re awesome!

SE Thurston Fire Authority
Fire Commissioners
Chief Mark King
Auxiliary Chair Tonya King
Career and Volunteer Firefighters/EMT

Holiday Food and Gift Drive

It’s the Holiday season once again! Families will gather together to share dinner and gifts. There are families who are struggling just to put food on the table, though. 

Make a difference this season by giving a helping hand to children in need. You can donate food items and gifts until December 11. The list of donatable items, drop off locations, and volunteer information is all listed here.

See the Yelm online story here.

Tree Lighting at the Capitol

There were 18 rural fire districts from across the state at the tree lighting ceremony to receive a check and a bag full of toys to hand out to needy families in their communities.

Chief Mark King of SE Thurston Fire Authority received a check and a bag of toys from Secretary of State Kim Wyman on behalf of Holiday Kids Tree Project Association, sponsored by the Association of Washington Businesses in Olympia.

The funds will be used to put a smile on the faces of children in Yelm, Rainier, and the surrounding area with Christmas dinners, clothes, toys and games.

The schools of Yelm and Rainier will provide a list of families struggling this Holiday season to the SE Thurston Fire Authority.

This year, a 30-foot Noble Fir came from the Weyerhauser Tree Farm. The tree is decorated with 7,000 lights, ornaments, dolls, and stuffed animals. The choir performed Christmas music, candy canes were handed out, and children talked with Santa.

When the tree is taken down, the dolls and stuffed animals along with a book are donated to the children’s hospital.

Left to right: SE Thurston Fire Authority Chief Mark King, Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman, and Firefighter Tony Brosco