Wildfires Ravage Spokane, Washington, Forcing 60,000 to Evacuate
Wildfires in eastern Washington state have destroyed at least 600 structures and forced the evacuation of 60,000 residents in the Spokane area, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. The fires, which have burned approximately 12.5 square miles (32 square kilometers) as of Monday morning, remain 0% contained. Light winds and cooler temperatures are forecasted, but no rain is expected, leaving the region still at risk. The fires are part of a broader crisis across the Western U.S., with over 390 square miles (1,000 square kilometers) burned in Washington alone. Other states, including Idaho, Oregon, and Utah, are also battling significant wildfires, some caused by lightning and exacerbated by dry, windy conditions. The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings for parts of Utah, Montana, and Nebraska, as well as extreme heat warnings for areas in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Montana.