The Kanawha County Commission approved the allocation of over $600,000 to fire departments throughout the county. The new measure will see $20,000 allocated to 26 fire departments, as well as the Yeager airport fire response for a total of $640,000. The commission stated that the funds will come from two sources, $350,000 from the general fund and $290,000 from the coal severance fund. Commissioner Lance Wheeler cited the skyrocketing fire protection costs as the reason for the allocation. Eyewtiness News said the additional funding comes after departments across the state have struggled with staffing and funding issues and increased danger amid the state’s worst drought in decades.