Nearly 65,000 Evacuated as Spokane County Wildfires Ravage Hundreds of Homes
Three wildfires in Spokane County have burned over 8,000 acres, destroyed hundreds of structures and forced almost 65,000 residents to evacuate, while officials warn that conditions could worsen.
Three wildfires—named Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane—have scorched more than 8,000 acres in Spokane County since Saturday and remain at 0% containment, according to InciWeb. The blazes have destroyed or damaged at least 600 structures, including homes, and have prompted the evacuation of nearly 65,000 families.
Mayor Lisa Brown urged residents to remain vigilant, saying, "We want everyone to be vigilant. We certainly don’t want people to let down their guard, and then suddenly the fire is back." She added that evacuation zones could shift quickly, requiring further departures.
Deputy director of Spokane Emergency Management Chandra Fox said law enforcement is investigating several missing-person reports, but no fatalities or injuries among responders have been confirmed.
Air quality in Spokane reached an index of 200 on Monday, classified as “unhealthy,” after a brief spike to 369 early in the morning. Smoke from the fires, combined with high temperatures and stagnant air, is expected to keep conditions poor through Tuesday, with winds shifting eastward and potentially carrying smoke toward Seattle and Portland.
Washington state Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove described the season as “extraordinary” and noted that the state has pre-positioned equipment, trained wildfire crews and activated mutual-aid agreements with neighboring states and federal partners. About 5,000 personnel are currently engaged in fighting 15 major wildfires across Washington, covering roughly a quarter-million acres.
More than 100 National Guard members have been deployed to assist, and short-term FEMA aid is anticipated, while Governor Bob Ferguson is seeking longer-term support.
Sheriff John Nowels cautioned that the death toll could rise as crews assess additional areas, and fire officials said the best firefighting conditions are expected on Monday, with temperatures near 80°F and light winds, before heat climbs into the 90s later in the week.