SPOKANE: Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency on August 1 as fast-moving Washington wildfires forced thousands to evacuate parts of Spokane in the northwestern United States.
Ferguson also banned most outdoor burning through September 30. He mobilised 30 members of the Washington National Guard to assist local responders and planned to visit Spokane on August 2.
The Old Trails Fire ignited at about noon PDT on August 1. Strong winds pushed it across the Spokane River and into residential areas, the Associated Press reported.
By early Sunday, the fire had burned more than 3,500 acres. Washington Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Jessica Walston said it threatened up to 5,000 structures.
Authorities issued Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders across parts of Spokane. Officials confirmed that the fire destroyed some structures, but they had not completed a damage assessment.
Read: Los Angeles Battles Severe Wildfires Amid Strong Winds
The Old Trails Fire was one of three major fires in the Spokane area. The Fairview and Autumn Lane fires also prompted evacuations as strong winds and low humidity accelerated their spread.
More than 4,000 personnel were battling fires across the state, according to officials. Crews from 14 other US states and an Australian firefighting team supported the response.
Read: Wildfires Ravage Southern Europe, Prompt Evacuations and Fatalities
Washington recorded more than 1,000 fires covering about 425,000 acres, or 172,000 hectares, during 2026.
The acreage was the state’s highest since 2021, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Officials were tackling at least 10 large fires amid record drought conditions, NPR reported.
