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3 dead as Methow valley burns
Update 10:30 p.m.: The three firefighters who died fighting a wildfire near Twisp Wednesday were engaged in initial attack operations and involved in a vehicle accident when it is believed the fire overtook the vehicle, Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers said in a news release issued this evening by the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest.
Rogers told The World this evening that the firefighters’ next of kin are still being notified. The victims’ names will likely be released Thursday. All were U.S. Forest Service firefighters from the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest, the news release said.
“We are devastated by the tragic loss of three of our Forest Service firefighters,” Mike Williams, forest supervisor of the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest, said in the news release. “We are working with county and state partners to notify the families of those lost. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and fellow
https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2015/aug/19/winthrop-twisp-evacuated-wednesday-afternoon/
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First time in state history: Volunteers asked to join firefight Aug 20, 2015
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/First-time-in-state-history-Volunteers-asked-to-join-firefight-322466591.html
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- With firestorms raging through the eastern half of Washington, State Department of Natural Resources is for the first time in state history setting up support centers for those who want to volunteer to join the firefight...
~snip~
"If people want to help, we'd like them to contact our coordinators so we can work on getting them safely and appropriately involved," said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. "We appreciate all offers of qualified and trained support. Safety for everyone is our highest priority."
Officials are asking volunteers to head to the temporary coordination centers in Colville and Omak to allow DNR fire officers to remain focused on fighting active fires. The centers will organize training sessions for those not currently qualified to serve on the fire line.
Offers to volunteer will be formally accepted starting at 7 a.m. Friday, and coordinators will review volunteers' offers for resources and direct them to where they can be most beneficial and without jeopardizing the safety of firefighters and the public, officials said.
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/First-time-in-state-history-Volunteers-asked-to-join-firefight-322466591.html
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- With firestorms raging through the eastern half of Washington, State Department of Natural Resources is for the first time in state history setting up support centers for those who want to volunteer to join the firefight...
~snip~
"If people want to help, we'd like them to contact our coordinators so we can work on getting them safely and appropriately involved," said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. "We appreciate all offers of qualified and trained support. Safety for everyone is our highest priority."
Officials are asking volunteers to head to the temporary coordination centers in Colville and Omak to allow DNR fire officers to remain focused on fighting active fires. The centers will organize training sessions for those not currently qualified to serve on the fire line.
Offers to volunteer will be formally accepted starting at 7 a.m. Friday, and coordinators will review volunteers' offers for resources and direct them to where they can be most beneficial and without jeopardizing the safety of firefighters and the public, officials said.
~snip~
Those interested should contact the coordinators ahead of time listed at On this Department of Natural Resources Website to give their desired role, existing fire qualifications, location, and contact information.
Forest Service Identifies Three Firefighters Killed in Washington Blaze Aug 21 2015
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/western-wildfires/forest-service-identifies-three-firefighters-killed-washington-blaze-n413436
The U.S. Forest Service on Thursday identified the three firefighters who were killed battling a fast-growing wildfire in Washington state as Tom Zbyszewski, 20, Andrew Zajac, 26, and Richard Wheeler, 31.
Tom Zbyszewski, photo courtesy of the Zbyszewski family.
Zbyszewski was a physics major at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and was fighting wildfires this summer to raise money for school, his parents, both of whom have also worked for the Forest Service, told NBC News.
A photo of Andrew Zajac from Facebook.
Zajac, who lived in Winthrop, one of the towns that were evacuated Wednesday — was "a phenomenal human being," said Jake Kerby, an associate professor of biology who co-directed Zajac's master's thesis at the University of South Dakota.
Richard and Celeste Wheeler in 2011. Wheeler family via WOOD-TV.
Wheeler, of South Haven, Michigan, was a fourth-generation firefighter who "died a hero," his mother, Karen Morey, told NBC station WOOD of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/western-wildfires/forest-service-identifies-three-firefighters-killed-washington-blaze-n413436
The U.S. Forest Service on Thursday identified the three firefighters who were killed battling a fast-growing wildfire in Washington state as Tom Zbyszewski, 20, Andrew Zajac, 26, and Richard Wheeler, 31.
Tom Zbyszewski, photo courtesy of the Zbyszewski family.
Zbyszewski was a physics major at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and was fighting wildfires this summer to raise money for school, his parents, both of whom have also worked for the Forest Service, told NBC News.
A photo of Andrew Zajac from Facebook.
Zajac, who lived in Winthrop, one of the towns that were evacuated Wednesday — was "a phenomenal human being," said Jake Kerby, an associate professor of biology who co-directed Zajac's master's thesis at the University of South Dakota.
Richard and Celeste Wheeler in 2011. Wheeler family via WOOD-TV.
Wheeler, of South Haven, Michigan, was a fourth-generation firefighter who "died a hero," his mother, Karen Morey, told NBC station WOOD of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Washington governor: State Facing "Unprecedented Cataclysm" Aug 20, 2015
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/washington-gov-says-state-facing-unprecedented-cataclysm/
TWISP, Wash. -- Gov. Jay Inslee says Washington is facing an "unprecedented cataclysm" from the many fires raging across the dry state.
At a Thursday news conference with fire officials in central Washington, Inslee praised the courage of the 3,000 firefighters battling wildfires in the state. He says the state was grieving three firefighters killed Wednesday near Twisp, words echoed by Washington's U.S. senators and fire managers.
Inslee says the fires "have burned a big hole in our state's heart." The governor says more than 450 square miles were burning in the state this year, an increase from about 390 square miles last year.
~snip~
This season, 13 people have died battling wildfires, including the three in Washington, said Jessica Gardetto of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. She said it was a high number but could not immediately compare it to other years.
~snip~
Drought and heat have combined to make this fire season one of the most active in the United States in recent years. Nearly 29,000 firefighters are battling some 100 large blazes across the West, including in Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington and California.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/washington-gov-says-state-facing-unprecedented-cataclysm/
TWISP, Wash. -- Gov. Jay Inslee says Washington is facing an "unprecedented cataclysm" from the many fires raging across the dry state.
At a Thursday news conference with fire officials in central Washington, Inslee praised the courage of the 3,000 firefighters battling wildfires in the state. He says the state was grieving three firefighters killed Wednesday near Twisp, words echoed by Washington's U.S. senators and fire managers.
Inslee says the fires "have burned a big hole in our state's heart." The governor says more than 450 square miles were burning in the state this year, an increase from about 390 square miles last year.
~snip~
This season, 13 people have died battling wildfires, including the three in Washington, said Jessica Gardetto of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. She said it was a high number but could not immediately compare it to other years.
~snip~
Drought and heat have combined to make this fire season one of the most active in the United States in recent years. Nearly 29,000 firefighters are battling some 100 large blazes across the West, including in Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington and California.
