TWISP, Wash., Aug. 19 (UPI) — Three firefighters died Wednesday after sustaining injuries while battling a wildfire in northern Washington, local law enforcement said.
Okanogan County, Wash., Sheriff Frank Rogers told KREM-TV in Spokane, Wash., the three emergency officials died fighting blazes near the towns of Twisp and Winthrop.
Earlier in the day, the sheriff’s office reported three or four firefighters sustained non-life threatening burns and were transported to area hospitals.
Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement saying another four firefighters were injured while fighting the fire, which has burned 1,500 acres.
“My heart breaks over the loss of life,” he said in a statement issued to The Omak and Okanogan County Chronicle. “I know all Washington joins me and Trudi in sending our prayers to the families of these brave firefighters. They gave their lives to protect others. It was their calling, but the loss for their families is immense and I know the community will come together to support them. We will also keep the injured firefighters in our prayers. The conditions throughout the area remain extremely dangerous and I hope residents and visitors will heed evacuation orders or other emergency directions.”
Meanwhile, Okagogan County Emergency Management ordered all residents in Twisp and Winthrop to immediately evacuate the towns.
“Be aware of your surrounding and be careful,” the agency said in a post on Facebook.
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