Spokane Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations As 600 Structures Destroyed

Fast-moving wildfires in the Spokane area of Washington state forced the evacuation of 60,000 residents. The blazes destroyed at least 600 homes, businesses, and other structures by Monday morning, August 3, 2026. The fires in and around Spokane, the state’s second-largest city, burned approximately 12.5 square miles, translating to about 32 square kilometers. The active blazes remained 0% contained as of Monday morning, filling the local sky with heavy smoke and haze. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources confirmed that statewide fires have scorched at least 390 square miles, or 1,000 square kilometers. The fires in the Spokane area are part of dozens of concurrent wildfires across the Western United States that have severely strained federal, state, and local firefighting resources. The National Weather Service forecasted cooler temperatures and lighter winds for Monday following severe wind gusts on Sunday. No precipitation was included in the immediate weather forecast for the affected region. Emergency management agencies and local authorities continue to monitor evacuation zones as firefighting crews attempt to establish containment lines.