Residents of Spokane, Washington, have been ordered to evacuate immediately as fast-moving wildfires threaten the area. Three major fires are currently burning, with the Old Trails Fire posing the greatest risk. This fire began Saturday afternoon and had already consumed over 3,500 acres by Sunday morning, according to the Watch Duty app.
Many areas of Spokane are now under Level 3 evacuation orders, instructing residents to “Leave NOW! This may be your only notice.” Late on Saturday night, the Washington National Guard was deployed to support local responders. The Guard announced via Facebook that 30 members were ready to assist Spokane authorities.
Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency due to the wildfires and announced plans to visit Spokane on Sunday. He urged locals to stay alert and adhere to the directions of emergency personnel.
The fires—Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane—are being fueled by strong winds and low humidity. Alexandra Duggan, a public safety reporter for The Spokesman-Review, witnessed flames and smoke near an elementary school.
The Old Trails Fire threatens Riverside State Park, northwest of Spokane. By the evening, up to 5,000 structures were at risk, according to Jessica Walston from the Washington Department of Natural Resources. The city has transformed its convention center into a shelter for those displaced, as Spokane houses over 230,000 residents.
Maps displayed numerous fires burning across Washington state as of Sunday morning. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove reported that firefighters were tackling ten large fires statewide. A statewide burn ban was imposed due to record drought conditions, prohibiting most outdoor fires.
Governor Ferguson highlighted the dangers of the drought and high winds. Power outages have impacted nearly 11,000 people, with most in Spokane County, according to Avista Utilities.
This year, Washington has suffered over 1,000 fires, burning around 425,000 acres, the most since 2021. Upthegrove noted that firefighters are already overwhelmed with more heat and wind on the horizon.
Upthegrove stressed the importance of avoiding actions that could spark further fires.
Reporting contributions were made by Anna King from Northwest Public Broadcasting and Doug Nadvornick from Spokane Public Radio.