Wildfires Force 60,000 to Evacuate Near Spokane

Wildfires have driven about 60,000 residents from their homes in eastern Washington, with three large fires burning uncontrolled around Spokane and destroying hundreds of structures. Officials reported no confirmed deaths or injuries as of Monday, though assessments of damage continue.

The fires, named the Old Trails Fire, Fairview Fire and Autumn Lane Fire, together form what local authorities call the Spokane Complex Fire. By Sunday the combined blazes had scorched more than 7,700 acres with zero containment. The Old Trails Fire alone destroyed 640 buildings. State records show 15 wildfires active across Washington, consuming roughly 250,000 acres in total.

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown described the event as the worst natural disaster the region has faced and credited first responders who worked extended shifts. Spokane County Fire District 3 Chief Cody Rohrbach confirmed the extent of structural losses from the Old Trails Fire. Nearly 12,000 customers, most in the Spokane area, remained without electricity Sunday according to utility tracking data.

The National Weather Service had issued warnings of extremely critical fire conditions over the weekend, citing sustained winds near 35 miles per hour and unusually dry vegetation. These factors allowed flames to advance quickly through neighborhoods. Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove noted the statewide total of active fires.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson requested immediate assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and discussed the situation with federal officials. Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell attributed the rapid spread to the combination of high winds and low moisture. Body camera video from county firefighters showed crews moving between properties to suppress spot fires as homes ignited.

Evacuation orders covered wide sections of Spokane County, with residents directed to temporary shelters. State emergency managers continue to monitor additional blazes that remain uncontained. Power restoration efforts are underway in affected zones, though full service timelines remain unclear.

The fires coincide with a broader pattern of summer wildfire activity in the Pacific Northwest, where wind and fuel conditions often determine how far flames travel once ignited. Local officials emphasized ongoing assessments of property losses and infrastructure impacts.