Fire chief says 67 ‘warming fires’ since Jan. 1

Columbia’s new fire chief told city council members Monday night that there have been 67 “warming fires” investigated by fire marshals in the city since Jan. 1. The fires have resulted in more than $600,000 in property damage, according to a report in CoMoBUZ.com. Brian Schaeffer became fire chief in August after 19 years with the Spokane Washington fire department. He said the community needs to identify people who need help before they need a warming fire.