Wildfires burning across more than 100,000 hectares in Washington state, US, have triggered widespread evacuations and power outages around the city of Spokane, state officials said on Saturday.
Large parts of Spokane County were placed under the highest Level 3 evacuation order as strong winds drove flames into residential areas. Officials urged residents to leave immediately “due to the life-threatening conditions,” while an evacuation shelter was opened at a local community college.
The largest blaze, the Old Trails Fire, ignited around noon and had burned more than 1,000 hectares by late afternoon, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The fire spread rapidly through brush and grass into residential neighborhoods.
Videos circulating on social media showed burning homes, towering plumes of smoke, and orange skies as long lines of vehicles fled the area.
Volleyball friends on the way out of the evacuation zone in Spokane on W Strong, after evacuating from Spike and Dig but then being trapped at the Indian Trail Safeway #OldTrailsFire#WAWildfirepic.twitter.com/fBGmRbktYD
Washington State Forester George Geissler said the blaze threatened about 4,000 structures.
Man this is not good. A community off of Tiffany Ave. in Spokane, with homes on fire, and not a single fire engine in sight. After watching the devastation unfold in Altadena and the Palisades in 2025, seeing neighborhoods once again surrounded by flames is gut-wrenching.🎥KHQ… pic.twitter.com/Yqy4CQ8rSK
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown said around 200 homes had been evacuated by mid-afternoon, along with several major facilities, including water reclamation plants, a waste-to-energy facility, and a local hospital.
🇺🇲🔸Driven by strong winds, the rapidly spreading Old Trails fire jumped the Spokane River and reached residential areas in the northwestern part of Spokane, Washington, prompting a massive emergency evacuation. pic.twitter.com/ziJBMzwD4P
Officials reported no injuries or fatalities as of Saturday evening, while the local utility company, Avista, said around 60,000 customers were without electricity.
BREAKING: Video shows homes on fire in northwest Spokane, Washington amid massive wildfire. pic.twitter.com/pgZ5DnNC92
Some buildings have been destroyed, although officials have yet to determine the full extent of the damage.
Massive wildfire has engulfed multiple homes in Spokane, Washington, USA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NYl8cRpVFF
Firefighters had zero containment by Saturday evening, as strong winds continued to fuel the blaze, DNR spokesperson Jessica Watson said.
Video from Anna Johnston in Spokane, Washington shows traffic jammed up as residents continue to evacuate due to the Old Trails Fire. The fire continues to spot and grow due to very strong winds. The Dwight Merkel outdoor Sports complex that was full for Saturday activities has… https://t.co/01CSyaOYcZpic.twitter.com/x3mXVnjSuT
Washington is enduring one of its worst wildfire seasons in years, driven by prolonged drought and extreme heat. More than 1,000 fires have already burned about 172,000 hectares this year – the largest area scorched since 2021 – according to the DNR.
The Old Trails Fire in Spokane, Washington has turned into worst case scenario. This footage was sent in to me, taken from Indian Trail Road, North of west Francis Ave. Devastating losses. Crews are making progress on slowing the spread of the fire, now 3,509 acres, but… https://t.co/CKepj7ZB56pic.twitter.com/EdvWIUK9eC
More than a dozen active wildfires remain burning across more than 100,000 hectares in the state, most in sparsely populated areas. The largest, the Kaiser Canyon Fire in northeastern Washington, has already consumed about 54,000 hectares.
BREAKING 🚨🚨#Spokane / #WashingtonDramatic New Video from the Old Trails Fire in Spokane shows dozens of homes burnt to the ground, similar to what we saw in LA and Paradise. Eery feelings pic.twitter.com/5tvpo8oqge
Around 4,000 firefighters are battling the blazes, Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove said during a virtual press conference.
“This year has already been one of our busiest wildfire years on record, and we just started August,” Upthegrove said. “Our firefighters are already stretched thin [and] any new spark on our tinder dry landscapes can lead to another devastating wildfire. I’m urging all Washingtonians to not be that spark.”
The structure loss in Spokane is unfathomable. I’d estimate up to 100 homes lost so far based on video evidence alone. Scenes look Palisades-esque. pic.twitter.com/gaFcb828GD
Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide state of emergency. The order includes a statewide ban on most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30, covering yard debris burning, bonfires, and campfires outside designated fire rings.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service issued its highest-level fire weather alert for large parts of eastern Washington and northeastern Oregon on Sunday – a ‘particularly dangerous situation’ Red Flag Warning – marking the first time such a warning has been issued in Washington state. Forecasters warned that a strong cold front, combined with hot, dry, and windy conditions, would create extreme fire weather and the potential for rapid fire spread.
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