Wind-Driven Wildfire Prompts Mass Evacuations in Spokane

A fast-moving wildfire driven by strong winds and high temperatures swept across northwest Spokane, Washington, on Saturday before jumping the Spokane River and prompting the immediate evacuation of thousands of residents. The Old Trails Fire started around noon, burning brush and grass in an open area before spreading rapidly north and east toward residential zones. Cars lined local roads as residents fled their homes, with bright orange and red flames visible directly from the highway. The blaze generated a massive plume of smoke over the region, burning nearly 4 square miles of terrain by evening, according to Courtney James, spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Jessica Watson, a DNR spokesperson for the fire, stated that some structures were lost, though officials did not yet have a definitive count of the damage. Firefighters reported zero containment as of the evening while strong winds continued to fan the flames. Power utility Avista implemented public safety power shutoffs in the area due to the extreme fire risk. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency on Saturday following unusually high temperatures and high winds that exacerbated record wildfires across the state. The National Weather Service issued a particularly dangerous situation red flag alert for eastern Washington as the state faced its fourth consecutive year of statewide drought. Major General Gent Welsh of the Washington National Guard and local emergency officials warned that conditions remain highly critical as crews work to protect populated areas within city limits.