Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (OWNF) officials have identified the three fallen firefighters in Washington as Tom Zbyszewski, 20, Andrew Zajac, 26, and Richard Wheeler, 31.
Daniel Lyon, age 25, was injured and is being treated at Harborview Hospital in Seattle.
“We are devastated by the tragic loss of three of our Forest Service firefighters,” said Mike Williams, Forest Supervisor on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. “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 crewmembers of these brave firefighters.”
According to Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers, the three Forest Service deaths occurred in a wildfire on DNR land near Twisp, Washington. 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.
Four additional firefighters were injured: one USFS, two DNR, and one DNR contractor.
The incidents occurred near an area where Okanogan County Emergency Management issued evacuation orders this afternoon including the towns of Twisp and Winthrop, Washington.
A national incident management team has been ordered.
From Chief Tidwell, U.S. Forest Service: It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the news that we lost three firefighters Wednesday afternoon battling the Twisp Fire on state forest land in Washington.
The firefighters were members of an engine crew from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest who were involved in initial attack operations when the fire overwhelmed their vehicle.
Three additional firefighters were injured; one Forest Service member with life threatening injuries, and two Department of Natural Resource firefighters who are still fighting to recover.
Our agency has been hit hard this year. There is no way to overstate the impact of losing so many of our people within such a short time. My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who died, and I will keep those still fighting for their lives in my thoughts and prayers, as well.
I hope you will do the same.
We will face many more challenges this fire season. Let’s continue to look out and care for each other.
