Whether these brave men and women are running into burning buildings or burning forests, we owe them our unending support and gratitude. May we never forget the sacrifice they made that day - and continue to make on our behalf every day.

One thing that didn’t change - as we’ve seen in communities across Washington all summer - is the bravery of our firefighters. More than 8,000 rushed to the call to fight the blazes burning across our landscapes.

25 years ago, firefighters and first responders ran toward the flames to save as many lives as they could when the World Trade Center towers collapsed and our world changed forever.

As some evacuation levels begin to lower and people return home, I'm happy to report our teams have established containment lines around the perimeters of the Spokane Area Fires and are attacking hot spots and mopping up areas still burning.