Wildfire Forces Mass Evacuations in Eastern Washington

A swift-moving wildfire fueled by strong winds and high temperatures has led to the evacuation of thousands in eastern Washington state. The fire, known as the Old Trails Fire, ignited around noon on Saturday, rapidly consuming brush and grass before advancing north and east toward residential areas.

In Spokane, authorities declared a state of emergency. Highways became crowded with vehicles as residents evacuated, while flames were visible from the roadways. Several structures and homes have been destroyed, though the full extent of the damage remains unknown until the fire is controlled.

The fire produced a significant smoke plume over the region, with nearly 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) burned by evening, according to Courtney James, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. The fire’s cause is under investigation.

We urge residents of Spokane to heed evacuation orders and to stay alert to changing conditions and evacuations as they are rapidly changing, said James.

Firefighters were unable to contain the blaze by evening, as winds persisted, reported Jessica Watson with the DNR. To mitigate risk, Avista, the area’s power provider, initiated public safety shutoffs.

Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency on Saturday, citing high temperatures and winds that intensified wildfires across the state. Things are extremely dynamic, especially in Spokane, Ferguson stated during a press conference.

The National Weather Service issued a ‘particularly dangerous situation’ red flag alert for eastern Washington.