What a bummer. I'm really hoping the firefighter in Harborveiw pulls through. Young guy with burns up to 60%. Lost three others on his crew.

Our relatives are scattered up and down the Okanogan River from Brewster Flats to Riverside. Three of their homes burned to the ground in last years Carlton Complex fire. They moved into their rebuild homes about two months ago, and last night, with fire in sight, they were loaded and ready to evacuate again. Homes that had been declared "safe" and ready to accept evacuees, were being threatened by wildfire. We've been in phone and email contact with our eastern WA relatives all day. It seems no one over there, rural or city resident, is truly safe. The images we're seeing of the fires and their destruction in North Central WA are scenes of Hell on Earth. Can't see how the present conditions will change until they get significant rain; that will bring another round of problems with flash flooding, debris flows and road washouts.

One of the surviving firefighters in the incident you mentioned was a family friend. We only heard part of his story today, but it was harrowing. Hope there is no more loss of life because of these wildfires.

More lives lost protecting property... doesn't seem right to me. I don't mean to belittle the massive financial losses occurring over there, but what is the value of a human life? How about three?

Thoughts and prayers are with the families, the victims, and the displaced. May this nightmare end soon....

Real wildfires are an amazing beast especially in timber on a steep face.
Anyone who has never witnessed the roar and power of a real fire has no idea.

I wish your daughter a safe experience.
She will undoubtedly come out of it with a few friends for life.

I have never been around a "real" wildfire. Once, the railroad started a fire along their right-of-way that spread into our pasture. It was easy to put out ; I'd mowed it recently so the fire crept along slowly. I should have walked it back more to get rid of tansy. BUT, it did torch a single 75-100' Doug-fir. The tree was about 70 yards or so from us and the heat from that one tree was almost too much. How the firefighters (any of them) purposefully get up close and personal with fire is amazing to me.

We are so very fortunate to have people in many dangerous professions who willingly put their lives on the line for us. They deserve more and better support.

I read that the three were killed while out scouting the fire. As much money as these fires cost shouldn't that be done with drones. In my mind drones should be running 24-7 monitoring the fire and most importantly supporting the fire fighters, especially making sure they have escape routes and ensuring accurate air drops.

I see Obama declared a disaster area. If he really wants to help he should confiscate every domestic LE drone, Fed and local, with their pilots and give them to the USFS.

I would love to have a cabin in the Okanogan area one of these days and first thing I would do is clear fire lines. The last thing I would do is post a sign reading, "No life is worth this cabin. Move on and God Bless!"

Yeah, then the "patriots" from Texas would come up and shoot at the drones

I can't imagine a worse thing than dying in a fire...I hope that the rest of this job gets done with no more casualties, I really feel for the families and friends of those who died

Fish on...

Todd

I got fixed up by the men and women at the burn unit in Harborview. World class talent so I really hope the survivor can pull through. I can't imagine what that group went through. I've been told that drones are being used, but this fire is huge. Gonna be boots on the ground regardless. Heart goes out to all those losing property, livestock, pets, and now family members.

Smoke is coming down through Vancouver.
The sun this morning was a red orb like I've never seen.

the smoke was so thick on the horizon this morning that it completely blocked the sun... The color of the air and water was pretty freaky

I fell timber on several fire lines around the Hatchery Creek and Rat Creek fires back in 94 starting the first part of august doing 1 week stints every 2 weeks until first part of Nov.
Some trees were already burning and the flames would erupt out of the undercut as soon as it was faced up.
As we were cutting they were starting back fires and I tell ya that some crazy [Bleeeeep!] being right there.
When we were called out around 5k acres were a blaze and by the time it was all said and done 180k acres.


Craziest [Bleeeeep!] I have ever done or will ever do again!!