The US Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said there were reports of burn victims, and Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers confirmed that three firefighters had died.
"I was just told that three firefighters died while battling the Twisp fire and four were injured," said Gov. Jay Inslee in a press release sent out Wednesday afternoon. "My heart breaks over the loss of life."
The DNR said the 1,500 acre fire was burning about 8 miles west of the town and threatening 20 nearby buildings, USA Today reported.
Evacuations were ordered for the towns of Twisp and Winthrop, which combined have a population of about 1,300. Residents were asked to head south immediately.
Wildfires burning in Okanogan County had already forced the evacuation of the small town of Conconully, about 20 miles northwest of Omak. Fire officials said the evacuation order for the town of about 200 people was issued Tuesday night.