The vehicle was likely caught by flames after it crashed as the three fought a blaze near Twisp, the National Forest Service said, relaying information from Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers.

The deaths happened in the scenic Methow River valley about 115 miles northeast of Seattle, but few details were released as officials notified family members.

“The firefighters were engaged in initial attack operations and were involved in a vehicle accident when it is believed that the fire overtook the vehicle,” according to the statement from Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

It wasn't immediately clear if the four injured were also involved in the crash.

“It was a hell storm up here,” Rogers told KXLY-TV of Spokane. “The fire was racing and the winds were blowing in every direction and then it would shift. ... It was tough on `em up here.”

The Forest Service statement identified the four injured as two Department of Natural Resources employees, a DNR contractor, and one U.S. Forest Service worker.

One firefighter, a 25-year-old man from Puyallup, Washington, remained in critical condition Thursday with burns over 60 percent of his body, said Susan Gregg, spokeswoman for Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

"He's got a lot of family by the bedside, and I think that obviously helps and we're hopeful," she said.

The news of the deaths came after officials ordered about 1,300 people in the popular outdoor-recreation communities of Twisp and Wintrop to evacuate.

“My heart breaks over the loss of life,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a written statement. “I know all Washington joins me and Trudi in sending our prayers to the families of these brave firefighters. They gave their lives to protect others. It was their calling, but the loss for their families is immense.”

Inslee requested a federal emergency declaration to provide more help to pay for fighting the many wildfires burning in Washington state.