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Eastern Washington fires have burned 600 structures and forced the evacuation of 60,000 people

Eastern Washington fires have burned 600 structures and forced the evacuation of 60,000 people

Authorities say wildfires in eastern Washington state forced the evacuation of 60,000 people in the Spokane area, including patients at its U.S. Veterans Affairs hospital, while destroying at least 600 homes, businesses and other structures

Washington State Declares Emergency as Old Trails Fire Forces Evacuations

Washington State Declares Emergency as Old Trails Fire Forces Evacuations

A fast-moving wildfire, known as the Old Trails Fire, has prompted the evacuation of thousands in eastern Washington state. The fire began on Saturday, driven by strong winds and high temperatures, and quickly spread towards residential areas in Spokane. A state of emergency was declared as the fire burned approximately 4 square miles of terrain. Multiple structures and homes have been lost, although the full extent of the damage remains unknown. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources reported zero containment as of Saturday evening, with the fire continuing to spread due to ongoing winds. Power company Avista implemented public safety shutoffs in the area to mitigate fire risks.

Washington fires force thousands of evacuations. See map

Washington fires force thousands of evacuations. See map

Three fires burning near Spokane, Washington, have scorched over 5,000 acres and forced thousands to evacuate.

Washington Wildfires Force Thousands to Evacuate Amid State of Emergency

Washington Wildfires Force Thousands to Evacuate Amid State of Emergency

Three major wildfires near Spokane, Washington, have led to a state of emergency and forced thousands of evacuations. The Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane fires have burned over 7,700 acres with zero containment. Governor Bob Ferguson declared the emergency and implemented a burn ban. Approximately 5,000 homes have been evacuated, and more than 900 firefighters are battling the blazes. The fires have destroyed over 600 structures, and the cause remains under investigation.

Spokane Wildfires Escalate Amid Drought and Rare Fire Warning

Spokane Wildfires Escalate Amid Drought and Rare Fire Warning

Wildfires in Spokane, Washington, have rapidly spread due to a combination of extreme heat, low humidity, and wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph, compounded by the state's fourth consecutive year of drought. The largest fire, the Old Trails Fire, ignited near Airway Heights on Saturday, August 1, 2026, and quickly expanded into Riverside State Park and city neighborhoods. By Sunday, the fires had burned approximately 5,390 acres (2,180 hectares) in Spokane and 390 square miles (1,000 square kilometers) statewide. Evacuation orders have displaced around 60,000 residents, and over 7,700 homes are without power. The National Weather Service issued a rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" fire-weather warning for central and eastern Washington, marking the first such advisory for the region. Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency and implemented a burn ban through September 30. Source time: Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:00:00 GMT.

Washington State Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations and Destroy Hundreds of Structures

Washington State Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations and Destroy Hundreds of Structures

Wildfires in eastern Washington state have led to the destruction of at least 600 structures and forced the evacuation of approximately 60,000 people in the Spokane area. The fires, which have burned about 12.5 square miles, are currently 0% contained. Light winds and lower temperatures are forecasted, which may aid firefighting efforts. No major injuries or deaths have been reported, but authorities are checking for missing persons. The situation is described as the worst natural disaster the region has faced, with officials warning that the next few days will be challenging.

Spokane Wildfires Destroy Over 600 Structures, Force Mass Evacuations

Spokane Wildfires Destroy Over 600 Structures, Force Mass Evacuations

Wildfires in Spokane, Washington, have caused significant destruction, with over 600 structures damaged and tens of thousands of residents evacuated. The Spokane Complex Fire, comprising the Old Trails Fire, Fairview Fire, and Autumn Lane Fire, has burned a total of 5,390 acres as of Sunday, August 2, 2026. Federal incident management teams report that the fires are 0% contained. The National Weather Service attributes the rapid spread to dry conditions and strong north-northwest winds reaching up to 35 mph. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown described the event as the region's worst natural disaster. Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency, banning most outdoor and agricultural burning. Federal assistance has been requested to support firefighting and recovery efforts.

Fires on more than 250,000 acres of Washington state prompt evacuations

Fires on more than 250,000 acres of Washington state prompt evacuations

By Kenrick Cai Aug 1 (Reuters) - Wildfires across more than a quarter of a million acres in Washington state have prompted widespread evacuations and power outages in the Spokane area, state officials said on Saturday evening.

Wildfires Force Evacuations and Destroy Hundreds of Structures in Spokane, Washington

Wildfires Force Evacuations and Destroy Hundreds of Structures in Spokane, Washington

Fast-moving wildfires in Spokane, Washington, have led to the evacuation of approximately 60,000 residents and the destruction of at least 600 homes, businesses, and other structures. The fires, fueled by strong winds and exceptionally dry conditions, erupted in three separate locations around the city. The National Weather Service had issued warnings for 'extremely critical fire weather conditions' prior to the outbreak. As of Sunday, August 2, 2026, the fires remained at zero percent containment, although weather conditions had slightly improved. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency, citing the state's fourth consecutive year of drought as a contributing factor to the severity of the wildfires.

Wildfires Near Spokane, Washington Burn Over 7,700 Acres, Prompting State of Emergency

Wildfires Near Spokane, Washington Burn Over 7,700 Acres, Prompting State of Emergency

Three major wildfires—Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane—are burning near Spokane, Washington, with a combined area of over 7,700 acres as of August 2, 2026. The fires remain at 0% containment, and more than 600 structures have been destroyed, with officials warning that this number could rise. Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency and burn ban, while Level 3 evacuation orders, the highest in the state, have displaced approximately 5,000 homes. Over 900 firefighters are actively battling the blazes, with federal resources committed to supporting the response. The fires are part of a broader wildfire crisis in Washington, where 450,000 acres have burned this summer. The cause of the fires remains under investigation.

Spokane Wildfires Force Evacuations and Destroy Hundreds of Homes

Spokane Wildfires Force Evacuations and Destroy Hundreds of Homes

The Spokane area in Washington is experiencing a severe wildfire crisis, with at least 65,000 people evacuated and 700 homes destroyed. The Spokane Complex fires, comprising multiple blazes, have burned over a quarter million acres. The Department of Natural Resources reports that more than 5,000 fire personnel are battling the fires, which remain uncontained. Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency and is set to provide updates on the situation. Evacuation shelters have been established, and efforts are underway to assist displaced residents and animals.

Wind-driven Wildfire in Eastern Washington Forces Mass Evacuations

Wind-driven Wildfire in Eastern Washington Forces Mass Evacuations

A rapidly spreading wildfire, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, erupted in northwest Spokane, Washington, prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents. The Old Trails Fire began around noon, quickly advancing through brush and grasslands before crossing the Spokane River and threatening residential areas. The fire has already consumed nearly 4 square miles of land, with flames visible from major highways. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has reported that the fire remains uncontained, and the cause is still under investigation. Power company Avista has initiated public safety power shutoffs in response to the elevated fire risk. Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a state of emergency as the state grapples with record wildfires exacerbated by extreme weather conditions.