LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former battalion chief for the Compton Fire Department who once appeared on a reality television show has been charged with setting fire to his own department's headquarters in an embezzlement scheme.

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) — A pair of tamed but persistent wildfires still burned in the hills and mountains around Interstate 5 after a wild week of burning brush in the area north of Los Angeles.

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) — As firefighters took on a stubborn 3-day-old wildfire Friday in rough terrain north of Los Angeles, a second and more serious blaze broke out 30 miles away near Interstate 5, quickly surging to more than 500 acres, briefly threatening an elementary school and leading to the precautionary evacuation of nearly 20 homes.

FRAZIER PARK, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters battled terrain and flames as they worked to surround a wildfire burning for a third day in harsh hills and mountains north of Los Angeles.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Sen. Mark Udall of Colorado called on the U.S. Forest Service on Friday to make certain that a contract dispute doesn't ground large air tankers used to fight wildfires as warmer, drier weather boosts the risk of destructive blazes.

FRAZIER PARK, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters in Southern California say a brush fire that briefly threatened an elementary school in a rural community has grown to 250 acres as it churns through thicker brush.

FRAZIER PARK, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters had to battle terrain as much as flames as they worked to surround a wildfire burning for a third day in harsh hills and mountains north of Los Angeles.

CASTAIC, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters worked swiftly to steer a 40-acre brushfire away from an elementary school moments before school was set to let out for the day.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Sen. Mark Udall of Colorado is urging the U.S. Forest Service to make sure a contract dispute doesn't ground large air tankers used to fight wildfires.

STOCKTON - Firefighters said someone set two fires Thursday evening that burned about 10 acres of grass along the north bank of the Calaveras River.

(BPT) - Often, we don’t think about heroism until we see it in action - when disaster strikes and ordinary people exhibit extraordinary courage and compassion to help victims in their time of need. The truth is, however, that the best of human nature is on display every day in the lives of millions of Americans who work in public service jobs across the country. Sometimes all it takes to tap that inner hero is an opportunity – and the education – to serve others.

Ten-year veteran firefighter Michael Alegre says he still loves his job as an engineer for the Lodi Fire Department. But he says the best part isn’t running into burning buildings or pulling on his firefighting gear.

Norman B. Slater Jr., a longtime Clarksburg farmer and community volunteer, died May 4 at 94, his family said.

Navy Seaman Recruit Cameron W. Nelson recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.

A 56-year-old Lodi man was in fair condition Monday afternoon at Kaiser Hospital in South Sacramento after crashing into a tree on West Turner Road early Saturday morning.

The city of Lodi is not setting aside enough to pay for health care for its retirees now or in the future, according to a recent report.

Four Lodi firefighters have spent the last two days battling the Springs Fire in Ventura County that forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes.

House of Coffees is holding a fundraiser on Saturday to benefit the Clements Fire Department.

With nearly 60 years of law enforcement experience between them, friends and co-workers Sgt. Val Chaban and Lt. Steve Carillo retired together Tuesday, fulfilling a pact made last year.

Jeff Hust of Visalia and Megan Johnson of Woodbridge were engaged this month.

Slain Galt Police Officer Kevin Tonn will likely be honored alongside other fallen heroes in a community memorial plaza to be built near City Hall.

Navy Seaman Firemans Apprentice Robert C. Schulz graduated from the Navy Recruit Training Command Center in Great Lakes, Ill. on March 29. His eight-week training also earned him the title Torpedo Mate Subs and Firemans Apprentice. He is currently attending submarine school in Groton, Conn. After six months, he will continue in special training for submarines in Hawaii, San Diego or Washington. Schulz is a 2009 graduate of Tokay High School. He is the son of Darren and Allison Schulz, of Acampo.