Names of Three Firefighters Killed Near Twisp Released

Wenatchee, Wash.—Okanogan-Wenatchee. Cathy Dowd, Public Affairs Officer for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (OWNF) says that  officials announced notifications have been made to the families of the three fallen and one injured U.S.F.S Firefighters that were killed near Twisp.  Dowd said, officials can now confirm the identities of those lost and injured:

 Wildland Firefighter Thomas “Tom” Zbyszewski, 20,  was fatally injured during initial attack operations near Twisp, Washington. It is reported that he was in a vehicle that was involved in a crash and  was subsequently overtaken by advancing fire.  Zbyszewski was on a United States Forest Service crew based out of the Methow Valley region. He was working as a firefighter to pay for college. Click here to be taken to his Heroes memorial page. 

Wildland Firefighter Andrew Zajac, 26, is an Illinois Native. He was fatally injured during initial attack operations near Twisp, Washington. It is reported that he was in a vehicle which was involved in a crash and subsequently overtaken by advancing fire.  Zajac was on a United States Forest Service crew based out of the Methow Valley region. Click here to be taken to his Heroes Memorial Page. 

Wildland Firefighter Richard “Wheels”  Wheeler, 31,  was fatally injured during initial attack operations near Twisp, Washington. It is reported that he was in a vehicle which was involved in a crash and was subsequently overtaken by advancing fire.  Wheelerwas on a United States Forest Service crew based out of the Methow Valley region. He is from South Haven, Michigan and a fourth-generation firefighter. He made his home in West Michigan during the winter.  “Wheels” was on the Tatanka  Hotshot crew, based in Custer SD for six seasons prior to his death.   Click here to be taken to his Heroes Memorial page. 

Daniel Lyon, age 25, of Puyallup, WA. He was injured and is being treated at Harborview Hospital in Seattle. He received burns over 60% of his body and remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

 

 

“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.”

According to Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers, the three USFS deaths occurred in a wildfire on DNR land near Twisp, WA.

A national incident management team has arrived at the OWNF headquarters to provide assistance.

A Critical Incident Stress Management team will soon arrive on the Forest to support employees and help them work through the tragedy.

 

Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from the United States Forest Service.