Three firefighters died and four more were injured Wednesday in Washington during a firefight when their vehicle crashed and flames rolled over on them before they could get out, reports weather.com.
The Forest Service said the fallen firefighters were Tom Zbyszewski, 20; Andrew Zajac, 26; and Richard Wheeler, 31. No hometowns were released. Daniel Lyon, 25, was injured and is being treated at Harborview Hospital in Seattle. The names of the other injured have not been released.
“We are mourning the loss of Tom, Andrew, and Richard and are in connection with and closely monitoring the recovery process of Daniel,” said Mike Williams, Forest Supervisor on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. “This was a tragic incident, and our hearts go out to their families, friends, and colleagues.”
This tragedy came as firefighting crews were working infernos on several fronts that threatened towns in the north-central section of the state.
“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,” the statement from Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest said, relaying information from Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the four injured were also involved in the accident.
The Forest Service statement identified the dead as U.S. Forest Service firefighters. Of the four injured, two are with the state Department of Natural Resources employees, one is a DNR contractor, and one is a U.S. Forest Service worker.
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