Today, in 2015, three wildland firefighters lost their lives who were overrun by fire and were killed during the TWISP RIVER FIRE in Washington.

The TWISP RIVER FIRE started when tree branches struck a nearby powerline, igniting the wildfire, and was later reported at 1223 hours on August 19, 2023. By 0600 hours the next day, the fire had exploded and burned 7,231 acres.

The fire had reached the outskirts of the town of Twisp and was not put out until August 26, 2023. The fire would burn a total of 11,922 acres and take the lives of three firefighters, critically injuring another with severe burns.

Additionally, a heavy equipment boss and his trainee from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WA DNR), and a contract dozer operator all had become entrapped but were able to escape with only minor injuries. Other entrapments of fire personnel were also documented but were able to escape without any injuries.

We Always Forever Remember Firefighters Rick Wheeler, Andrew Zajac, and Tom Zbyszeweski and their families, friends, and communities they all touched.

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog