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Three firefighters die in Washington state as blazes force evacuations Washington State wildfires: three firefighters die in midst of forced evacuations
(about 4 hours later)
Related: Washington state calls in army troops as wildfires overwhelm civilian firefightersRelated: Washington state calls in army troops as wildfires overwhelm civilian firefighters
Three firefighters were killed and up to four others injured as wildfires advanced on towns in north-central Washington, authorities said.Three firefighters were killed and up to four others injured as wildfires advanced on towns in north-central Washington, authorities said.
Okanogan county Sheriff Frank Rogers said the deaths happened in a wildfire near Twisp on Wednesday. Another firefighter was taken to Harborview medical center in Seattle in a critical condition, a nursing supervisor there said.Okanogan county Sheriff Frank Rogers said the deaths happened in a wildfire near Twisp on Wednesday. Another firefighter was taken to Harborview medical center in Seattle in a critical condition, a nursing supervisor there said.
“My heart breaks over the loss of life,” said the state governor, Jay Inslee, praising “these brave firefighters [who] gave their lives to protect others”“My heart breaks over the loss of life,” said the state governor, Jay Inslee, praising “these brave firefighters [who] gave their lives to protect others”
Officials urged people in the popular outdoor-recreation centers of Twisp and Wintrop, in the scenic Methow river valley about 115 miles north-east of Seattle, to evacuate as a group of firesenveloped about 50 square miles.Officials urged people in the popular outdoor-recreation centers of Twisp and Wintrop, in the scenic Methow river valley about 115 miles north-east of Seattle, to evacuate as a group of firesenveloped about 50 square miles.
Angela Seydel, a spokeswoman for the agency, said on Wednesday evening that 4,000 homes in the region had been evacuated.Angela Seydel, a spokeswoman for the agency, said on Wednesday evening that 4,000 homes in the region had been evacuated.
“It is really bad out there. The fires have just exploded,” she said. “We’re just directing everybody to head south.”“It is really bad out there. The fires have just exploded,” she said. “We’re just directing everybody to head south.”
A stream of cars poured south out of Twisp on as dark smoke clouds loomed; the highway to the north was closed. Some people put sprinklers on their roofs in an effort to protect their homes, and others joined lines several cars deep to buy gas.A stream of cars poured south out of Twisp on as dark smoke clouds loomed; the highway to the north was closed. Some people put sprinklers on their roofs in an effort to protect their homes, and others joined lines several cars deep to buy gas.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the eastern portion of the state from 11am on Wednesday to 5pm on Friday with high temperatures and low humidity.The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the eastern portion of the state from 11am on Wednesday to 5pm on Friday with high temperatures and low humidity.
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.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.