Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 11, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke inspects wildfire and meets firefighters in Okanogan County

WINTHROP – Gov. Gary Locke today inspected a deadly wildfire in the Methow Valley and met with firefighters at a fire base camp at Liberty Bell High School. The governor traveled to the area to witness the fire damage and to express his sorrow over the tragic deaths of four firefighters.

Locke toured the area with Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland and Terry Egan of the Emergency Management Division of the Washington Military Department .

“This was a terrible tragedy and I was very saddened to learn of the tragic deaths of the four firefighters yesterday in Okanogan County,” Locke said. “Their courage and sacrifice is not lost on the people of Washington state.”

“On behalf of the people of Washington state, I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of these four brave firefighters,” the governor continued.

“The safety of firefighters is important to us and we must remain vigilant in this vicious fire season,” the governor remarked. “Yesterday’s events are the worst kind of illustration of how bad this fire season may be.”

Earlier in the day, Locke went to the intensive care unit at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle to visit Jason Emhoff, a 21 year-old Yakima firefighter who suffered burns over 25 percent of his body while fighting an explosive wildfire yesterday. Locke extended his gratitude and offered support to Emhoff and his entire family.

Referring to burn bans in effect in several Washington counties, Locke said, “Many wildfires are preventable. I urge all people in the state to observe outdoor burn bans and to report fires to authorities immediately.”

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Related Links:
- Emergency Management Division, Washington Military Department
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources
- U.S.D.A. Forest Service Fire & Aviation
- Washington State Fire Marshall
- Washington State Department of Ecology
- Washington State Department of Agriculture

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