Bill Beideman News Today

Fire departments from throughout the region responded to Farm Road in Arlington on Saturday, where a brush fire quickly grew out of control. Further south, in Pownal, another fire consumed five acres – providing a potent reminder that southern Vermont is in the midst of its peak fire season.

A slow but steady decline in volunteers is catching up with America’s small-town and rural fire departments. Some solutions – like better funding, a different volunteer structure, and more publicity

All photos by Peter Crabtree At midafternoon the first alarm flagged a fast-burning brush fire in one of the most remote corners of southern Vermont. By

MANCHESTER — The Manchester Fire Department opened its doors to the public Saturday morning as part of the statewide firefighter recruitment initiative known as Operation Mayday.

ARLINGTON — The Arlington Fire Department, assisted by several surrounding agencies, responded to a house fire at 38 Green River Drive around midnight Monday into Tuesday morning.

ARLINGTON — The Arlington Fire Department, assisted by several surrounding agencies, responded to a house fire at 38 Green River Drive around midnight Monday into Tuesday morning.

MANCHESTER — A worker shortage is a recurring theme in many industries across Southern Vermont. Add fire departments to operations dealing with staffing challenges.

MANCHESTER — A worker shortage is a recurring theme in many industries across Southern Vermont. Add fire departments to operations dealing with staffing challenges.

MANCHESTER — A worker shortage is a recurring theme in many industries across Southern Vermont. Add fire departments to operations dealing with staffing challenges.

SANDGATE – A stubborn brush fire in one of the most remote corners of Southern Vermont kept several area fire departments busy Saturday afternoon and evening, as they battled mountain