A rapidly advancing wildfire, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, swept through northwest Spokane on Saturday. The Old Trails Fire, which began at midday, quickly spread from burning brush and grass to threaten residential areas. Evacuations were ordered as the fire jumped the Spokane River.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources reported that the fire burned approximately 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) of land by evening. Cars packed the roads as residents evacuated their homes, visible flames lighting up the highways.
Spokesperson Courtney James urged Spokane residents to follow evacuation orders and stay informed, as conditions and evacuation zones were changing swiftly.
DNR spokesperson Jessica Watson noted that some structures were lost, though an exact count was unavailable. Firefighters reported zero containment by evening. Continued winds posed ongoing challenges.
Avista, a local power company, initiated public safety shutoffs to reduce fire risks. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency, citing the severe conditions exacerbating wildfires across the state.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag alert for eastern Washington due to the intense and dangerous fire conditions.
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