A fast-moving wildfire, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, swept across northwest Spokane, Washington, on Saturday, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents. The blaze, known as the Old Trails Fire, began around noon in an open area with brush and grass before rapidly spreading north and east toward residential neighborhoods.
The fire sent a large plume of smoke over the region, and by evening, nearly 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) had burned, according to Courtney James, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Officials confirmed that some structures were lost, though a precise count was not yet available. Jessica Watson, another DNR spokesperson, stated that firefighters had achieved zero containment by evening as the wind continued to fuel the fire's spread. Power company Avista implemented public safety power shutoffs in the affected area due to the elevated fire risk.
Earlier on Saturday, Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency for Washington state, citing unusually high temperatures and strong winds exacerbating existing wildfires. The National Weather Service had issued a "particularly dangerous situation" red flag alert for eastern Washington.
Residents were urged to heed evacuation orders and remain alert to rapidly changing conditions. Cars lined the roads as people fled their homes, with visible flames nearing some areas.