The Latest: Overtaxed Washington state calls for volunteers to help fight fires for 1st time

Firefighters line up to get gear out of the back of a fire truck as they get ready to head out onto a line Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Twisp, Wash. Authorities say three firefighters died after their vehicle crashed and was apparently caught by a "hellstorm" of flames as they battled a blaze in the state. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) (The Associated Press)

prev next

Firefighter Mark Groves, who said he was 32 hours into fighting fire, takes a breather Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Twisp, Wash., a day after three firefighters were killed fighting a wildfire near the town. Authorities say three firefighters died after their vehicle crashed and was apparently caught by a "hellstorm" of flames as they battled a blaze in Washington state. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) (The Associated Press)

A U.S. Forest Service truck drives near large flames on a hillside along Twisp River Road in Twisp, Wash., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) (The Associated Press)

TWISP, Wash. – The latest on wildfires in Washington state, including those that killed three firefighters (all times local):

7:50 a.m.

A multitude of large wildfires burning across arid Washington state have so overtaxed firefighters that officials took the unprecedented step of calling for volunteers to help fight the flames.

The state Department of Natural Resources said late Thursday that it would review civilians' offers to help and send them where they would be most useful. Volunteers could start applying Friday at centers in the communities of Omak and Colville.

It is the first time the state has asked for volunteers as an explosive fire season has led to the deaths of three firefighters and the evacuation of entire towns.

It comes even after fire managers from Australia and New Zealand were recruited to help combat blazes in the West.