A rapidly spreading wildfire has devastated a Spokane, Washington neighborhood, destroying homes and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. The Old Trails Fire ignited near Old Trails Road and Euclid Avenue around midday Saturday, rapidly advancing through northwest Spokane and engulfing residential areas.
Footage from North Indian Trail Road captured the Old Trails Fire as it bore down on homes, turning the neighborhood into a smoke-choked landscape. The wind-driven blaze, fanned by gusts of 35 to 45 mph, jumped the Spokane River and spread into neighborhoods including Indian Trail and Five Mile Prairie. These areas, along with others, received Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders.
By Saturday evening, the fire had grown to 3,509 acres and remained 0% contained. Officials confirmed that homes were destroyed, though a precise damage estimate has not yet been released. The fire also impacted Riverside State Park.
Statewide Emergency Declared
The wildfire emergency in Spokane occurred as Washington grappled with a broader crisis. Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency and activated the Washington National Guard. Extreme heat, drought conditions, and strong winds have created explosive fire conditions across the state. The National Weather Service issued Washington’s first-ever "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Red Flag Warning for Eastern Washington, indicating conditions ripe for rapid and uncontrollable fire spread.
Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, Washington Adjutant General, described the situation as an "extraordinary fire season," not a normal occurrence. Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove echoed this sentiment, calling the conditions "unusual."
Other Fires and Evacuations
The Old Trails Fire was not the only wildfire burning in the Spokane area. The Fairview Fire near Mead and the Autumn Lane Fire near Nine Mile Falls also prompted evacuation orders. The Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center and other care facilities were evacuated due to the fast-moving fire. The American Red Cross established emergency shelters for displaced residents.
Emergency officials urged the public to avoid the affected neighborhoods to prevent congestion that could hinder firefighting efforts. The cause of the Old Trails Fire is currently under investigation.
