Emergency Evacuation in Spokane Due to Wildfires

Residents in Spokane, Washington, face urgent evacuation orders due to fast-spreading wildfires. The city, located in eastern Washington state, is contending with three major fires, with the Old Trails Fire posing the greatest risk.

According to the Watch Duty app, the Old Trails Fire ignited on Saturday afternoon and had consumed over 3,500 acres by early Sunday. Areas in Spokane are under Level 3 evacuation orders, urging residents to leave immediately.

The Washington National Guard mobilized late Saturday to assist local responders. They deployed 30 members to help with any emerging needs, confirmed in a Facebook post. Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency and plans to visit Spokane.

The fires, named Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane, are exacerbated by strong winds and low humidity. Alexandra Duggan, a public safety reporter for The Spokesman-Review, described witnessing flames and thick smoke near an elementary school.

Riverside State Park, northwest of Spokane, saw the spread of the Old Trails Fire. Jessica Walston, spokesperson for the Washington Department of Natural Resources, reported the blaze threatening up to 5,000 structures overnight. The city has opened a convention center to house displaced residents. Spokane’s population exceeds 230,000.

Maps indicate numerous fires across Washington state. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove noted 10 large fires ongoing. Washington’s record-setting drought prompted the governor to announce a statewide burn ban on Saturday. This ban restricts most outdoor fires, including bonfires and campfires without fire rings.

Power outages impact nearly 11,000 residents, with over 8,000 affected in Spokane County, as per Avista Utilities. So far this year, more than 1,000 fires have burned around 425,000 acres in the state, the highest since 2021, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

Dave Upthegrove emphasized the strain on firefighters, already stretched thin by the active wildfire season. He urged caution due to the tinder-dry conditions, warning against activities that might ignite new fires.