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May I play through?: Watch what happens when fire threatens the Grande Dunes Golf Course in Myrtle Beach yesterday. Click here for Part 1 of the video above. Read more about the fire burning thousands of acres. This fire situation only got worse through the day, with 70 homes consumed. Read more. *****LISTEN LIVE – Click here for Horry County and here for Myrtle Beach police and fire.*****

It ain’t over in Minneola: As Firegeezer reported yesterday the Minneola City Council isn’t happy how city officials handled the two day stand down of the fire department. Now they have hired a lawyer to investigate the mess.

A change in chiefs for Gloucester, but has anything else changed?: You may recall the fire chief of Gloucester, MA was forced out in February after the report was released into how the Lorraine apartment building fire of December, 2007 was handled. Reading a Gloucester Daily Times article by Patrick Anderson today, you have to wonder about the direction things have been going since then. These two paragraphs may give you a hint:

The ambulances were out of service and substations closed again last weekend as the depleted Gloucester Fire Department reached another record low staffing level months before summer vacations promise to reduce manpower further.

Two weeks after the department reached a 17-year low in on-duty personnel with only 11 men available to protect the city, this Saturday only 10 men were on duty, eight below the minimum recommended for a shift.

Another story questions Houston’s “fast attack”: More media focus on the Houston Fire Department’s tactics after the deaths of Captain Harlow and Firefighter Hobbs. This story features an interview with former Phoenix Fire Chief Alan Brunacini. Read the article. Watch the story.

Jimmy Justice to the rescue: It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s …. it’s … it’s some guy with a camera who is in my face about where I parked my car. A recent offering from the protector of all fire hydrants in New York. Click here.

Washington Post puts a number on Maryland firefighter arson probe: Veteran Prince George’s County reporter Ruben Castaneda has sources saying five to 10 volunteer firefighters from different stations are being looked at following allegations of an arson ring operating in the county. It is a story we first told you about Monday night. So far, no arrests have been made, but volunteers, including one who is also a career firefighter in Montgomery County, remain suspended. Click here for the Post article.

Pension trustees in Baltimore given stern warning by union hired actuary: An interesting article from Annie Linskey in The Baltimore Sun about the trustees of the police and fire pension system being warned to lawyer up. The actuary for the union told the trustees they may have to answer for their actions, particularly worrying about what city officials say they can contribute during the economic crisis rather than what the fund’s needs are.

A firefighter of many firsts: Pikesville VFC and the Baltimore County Fire Department are mourning the loss of Chief Danelle England-Dansicker. She was first woman firefighter for each organization and blazed a trail all the way to division chief before her retirement in 2005. Click here to read more about Chief England-Dansicker’s life.

A loss in Charles County: In La Plata, MD, the Charles County Rescue Squad reports the sudden death of the squad’s president and former chief Susie Spalding. Not much more has been reported at this point, but updates are expected on the squad’s website.

The New Haven 20 had its day in court: Not just any court. The Supreme Court heard arguments on Wednesday on the closely watched firefighter discrimination case. Read the details.

A lively and refreshing vintage with a smokey flavor: In Pulteney, NY, a fire Tuesday night destroyed the tasting room of one of the premiere wineries of the Finger Lakes. Read the details.

“It blows my mind, exactly! It shocks everyone in here!”: The quote is from Chief Matthew Hughes of Virginia’s New Market VFC. Chief Hughes talked with reporters after the arrests, announced on Monday, of two firefighters for a string of arsons in two counties. Read the story. Watch the interview.

They all went home: Looking at the pictures of the crushed cab from an Anne Arundel County fire engine that hit a utility pole Tuesday night, you might question if everyone survived. Fire officials are crediting seat belts for allowing all five firefighters to be treated and released. Click here to see for yourself.

Sinkhole rescue: In Fayetteville, Georgia firefighters rescued a woman who had been trapped for a while in an 8 foot sink hole. Click here for the story.