Forks firefighter injured in Twisp wildfire recovering at home

Forks firefighter injured in Twisp wildfire recovering at home

FORKS — A state Department of Natural Resources firefighter from Forks who was injured near Twisp is recovering at his home.

Reed Callis declined to comment Thursday on the events of Aug. 19 beyond saying: “I’m recovering from the injuries I suffered. At this time, I’m not going to take any interviews.”

Callis also said Thursday he had not yet discussed the incident with his supervisors.

The DNR said Callis was hospitalized overnight after the incident and released Aug. 20, but the agency provided no further details.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“We’re not providing any additional detail about our firefighters at this time so that they are able to focus on their recovery,” Carrie McCausland, DNR’s deputy communications director, said Wednesday.

Three DNR wildland firefighters died in a truck that was overtaken by flames while four others were injured as they tried to escape on foot in the fire near Twisp known as the Okanogan Complex Fire.

Memorial services are scheduled Sunday for Tom Zbyszewski, 20; Andrew Zajac, 26; and Richard Wheeler, 31.

Another firefighter Daniel Lyon, 25, remains in critical condition with burns over 60 percent of his body, while others are recuperating.

More than 1,774 fire personnel from 33 states were battling the wildland fire Thursday or were supporting firefighters.

The complex fire includes the remnants of the 11,130-acre Twisp Fire in the Methow Valley, which officials said had been 85 percent contained.

It also includes the Tunk Block Fire in the Aeneas Valley, 149,649 acres, 15 percent contained; the Lime Belt/Blue Lake and Beaver Lake fires, burning toward Loomis, 122,205 acres, 20 percent contained; and the Nine Mile Fire, 4,720 acres, 95 percent contained in what officials called “patrol status.”

All but the Twisp and Nine Mile fires were expected to spread over the next 72 hours.

Overall, the Okanogan Complex Fire covered 280,267 acres and was 17 percent contained as of Thursday afternoon.

Possible dry thunderstorms were forecast around in the region, with winds increasing and gusting up to 20 mph and temperatures from 70 to 85 degrees with 16 percent to 28 percent relative humidity.

More in News

Caro Tchannie and her daughter Lola Hatch, 9, of Tulallip try a long string of beads at Squatchcon on Thursday at the Vern Burton Community Center gym in Port Angeles. Kevin VanDinter of Port Angeles was one of 60 vendors at the four day event, which continues through Sunday. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Squatchcon underway

Caro Tchannie and her daughter Lola Hatch, 9, of Tulallip try a… Continue reading

Capital budgets include Peninsula

Millions in state funds earmarked

Mike Chapman.
Chapman asks not to employ legislative privilege

State senator removes an exemption to Public Records Act

Port of Port Townsend considering Short’s Farm access

Commissioners aim to balance public, agricultural use

Jefferson library director to start new job May 19

Meet-and-greet event scheduled for May 22

Man taken to hospital after car hits tree

A man was transported to a hospital after a single-car… Continue reading

Bypass roads to be installed at two fish passage sites

Contractors will begin construction of one-lane bypass roads at two… Continue reading

Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Stew Cockburn stands in the spring annual section prior to it being for early spring gardeners.
New Dungeness Nursery planted in landscaping industry

Family and their employees work 2-acre location in Sequim

Partnership discussion may violate state law

OMC in Phase 2 of exploratory process

Members of the public take a guided tour at Port Townsend High School on Wednesday. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Townsend school district may seek $90M bond

Tour highlights high school’s infrastructure needs

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port Townsend Marina in an apparent race across the bay on Tuesday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Catching the wind

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port… Continue reading