Three Wildfires Force 60,000 People to Flee Spokane Area
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Three fast-moving wildfires have forced approximately 60,000 people to evacuate Spokane and nearby communities in eastern Washington, as firefighters battle flames that have destroyed hundreds of homes, businesses and other buildings.
The three blazes—Old Trails, Autumn Lane and Fairview—are being managed together as the Spokane Area Fire. Officials said the fires had burned about 5,390 acres, or roughly 2,180 hectares, and remained uncontained as of Monday, August 3.
Authorities estimate that around 600 structures have been destroyed, although damage assessment teams are still working across the affected neighbourhoods and the final number could change. No deaths or injuries had been reported, but emergency officials warned that the situation remained dangerous.
Patients were evacuated from the Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center after the facility fell within an evacuation zone. Spokane’s convention centre was also opened as an emergency shelter for displaced residents.
The fires began on Saturday, August 1, and spread rapidly through dry vegetation as strong winds pushed the flames toward residential areas. The Old Trails Fire crossed the Spokane River during its rapid advance, while power was deliberately shut off in some locations to reduce the risk of damaged electrical infrastructure starting additional fires.
About 10,000 customers were left without electricity as transmission lines and other infrastructure were affected. Across Washington state, wildfires were burning more than 250,000 acres, placing additional pressure on local, state and federal firefighting resources.
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown described the fires as the worst natural disaster the region has experienced. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency and requested federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency after discussing the crisis with US President Donald Trump.
Firefighters received some relief from cooler temperatures and weaker winds, but continued dry conditions and the absence of significant rainfall meant the threat had not passed. The causes of the three fires remain under investigation.
