Members of Washington's congressional delegation wrote a letter to President Obama urging him to expedite Governor Jay Inslee's emergency declaration request to help fight wildfires he described as "an unprecedented cataclysm." A spokesman for FEMA said the request is currently under review. If approved, it would provide direct federal assistance—in the form of technical assistance on the ground and financial assistance.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2015 10:48:17 PM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5

Yesterday, Alex Thomason drove home with the firetruck he just bought for $5,000 from Skagit County Fire District 6. Now it's on fire watch in the town of Pateros. “We just heard from the state they didn't have any other resources so I said well, let's go get a firetruck and use it to protect our homes,” Thomason told us by phone There are 3,000 firefighters battling wildfires, but need is great.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2015 10:48:01 PM - SOURCE: KIRO-TV CBS 7

The bodies of three firefighters killed battling a blaze in Washington were removed from the scene Thursday by a procession of emergency vehicles. Each man was taken out Thursday afternoon in an individual ambulance, escorted by more than a dozen fire and police vehicles with lights flashing. Firefighters along the route held their hands and helmets over their hearts.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2015 9:42:01 PM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13

With firestorms raging through the eastern half of Washington, State Department of Natural Resources is for the first time in state history setting up support centers for those who want to volunteer to join the firefight. Officials say they've been inundated with offers from volunteers to help the firefighting efforts.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2015 7:38:13 PM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS 29 Yakima