OLYMPIA -- With the loss of three firefighters in the Twisp fire, Gov. Jay Inslee asked Washington residents to keep firefighters in their prayers Wednesday.

Inslee's statement came shortly after the Okanogan County Sheriff's Department announced three firefighters were killed and four were injured in Twisp. 

That city, along with Winthrop, is being evacuated as wildfires continue to burn through central and Eastern Washington, taxing local resources and bringing in help from the U.S. military.

Here's Inslee's full statement:

“I was just told that three firefighters died while battling the Twisp fire and four were injured. My heart breaks over the loss of life. 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.”

---

---