3 firefighters die in wildfire near Twisp (WA State)

[icymist]

Source: KREM

WISP, Wash.— The Department of Natural Resourced confirmed Wednesday afternoon that an 50 acre fire had forced a Level 3 evacuation for the entire town of Twisp.

The 50 acre fire was burning eight miles west of the town and threatening 20 nearby buildings. By 5:35 p.m., the fire had exploded to 1,500 acres according to DNR.

DNR said there were reports of burn victims around 4:30 p.m. Okanogan Co. Sheriff Frank Rogers said three to four firefighters were burned and transported from the scene. Rogers said the firefighters suffered "non-life threatening injuries." Rogers later confirmed that three firefighters had died.

Evacuations were ordered shortly after for the town of Winthrop. Residents were asked to head south immediately, and told to be aware of their surroundings and leave carefully.

Read more: http://www.krem.com/story/news/local/wildfire/2015/08/19/50-acre-fire-evacuates-town--twisp/32021205/

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. Aw, damn

Thoughts with families and friends.

Everyone else be safe out there. Bad season, for sure.

[icymist]

2. Indeed.

I've been living out in Western Washington for 23 years and this is the worst fire season I've seen! Everything is so dry!

[Bigmack]

3. SO sad

These fire fighter are heroes. My heart goes out to the families of those we've lost. SO SAD. Ms Bigmack

[KT2000]

4. Oh no -

how awful - thoughts are with the family and loved ones of these heroes.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. Oh man...one of the loveliest areas of the state, but few roads to evacuate over.

Seems the entire west is burning up.
And as horrible as the West Coast fires are, the fire maps for Idaho cover the entire state in red.
I am so appalled at the damage, and the loss of life.

[840high]

6. ...

[LiberalElite]

7. .

[uppityperson]

8. Oh, damn. I've been so worried. So many fires going on, such a dangerous yr this yr. :(

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/chelan-fires-grow-but-firefighters-mop-up-contained-areas/

[ellisonz]

9. ...

[navarth]

10. horrible. just horrible.

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

11. RIP

[murielm99]

12. Terrible news.

I am sorry to hear this.

[uppityperson]

13. News, sounds like their vehicle crashed, here's an article from AP this morning...

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150820/NEWS/150819972/updated-8212-3-firefighters-die-in-north-central-washington-their

Three U.S. Forest Service firefighters died after their vehicle crashed and was likely caught by flames as they battled a blaze Wednesday in Washington state, authorities said.
(Clip)
"The firefighters were engaged in initial attack operations and were involved in a vehicle accident when it is believed that the fire overtook the vehicle," Rogers reported, according to the statement from Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
(Clip)

"It was a hellstorm up here," Rogers told KXLY-TV of Spokane. "The fire was racing and the winds were blowing in every direction and then it would shift. ... It was tough on 'em up here."....(more on the fire in that area, link is to a smaller paper in w WA, AP article)

[uppityperson]

14. Local paper, "Deceased firefighters were from Okanogan-Wenatchee forest"

http://t.omakchronicle.com/news/2015/aug/19/deceased-firefighters-were-okanogan-wenatchee-fore/

[hamsterjill]

15. How very sad.

When everyone else is running away, the first responders are running to...

My thoughts and prayers are with all affected, including the families and friends of the lost and injured firefighters and with the people who have had to evacuate. Awful situation all around.