Allen Sather and his wife Kimberley shared an emotional moment at their damaged duplex on W. Indian Trail Rd. following a wildfire in Spokane, Washington, on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Following intense fires that consumed over 7,000 acres and led to the evacuation of approximately 60,000 residents, cooler temperatures are anticipated to assist firefighters in controlling three major wildfires. Although the origin of the fires is yet to be determined, they are exacerbated by strong winds and hot, dry conditions. No fatalities or injuries have been reported so far.
Local and out-of-state firefighters are actively working to contain the blazes. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown stated that nearly half of the city’s neighborhoods face evacuation or risk due to a fire engulfing about 12 square miles without containment. “A very large geography has been labeled Level 3, which means get out immediately,” Brown stated, emphasizing the unprecedented magnitude compared to past fires.
Among the fires, the Old Trails Fire is the largest, spanning over 3,600 acres northwest of Spokane, as reported by the state’s Department of Natural Resources. The Autumn Lane Fire and the Fairview Fire also pose threats to Spokane, Washington’s second-largest city with over 230,000 residents. Cooler temperatures might assist firefighters, but Mayor Brown noted, “The winds have shifted, and the fires are not contained up to this point.”
Mayor Brown remarked on the state’s awareness of wildfire risks related to climate change, but underscored the current situation’s unprecedented nature. There is no rain in the forecast, leaving areas vulnerable. Videos reveal widespread destruction, with black smoke and remaining chimneys in place of residences, according to the Associated Press.
Alicia Davidson, who lost her home, expressed her distress: “Just to have everything gone and to know that, shoot, we have to completely start over – we have nothing.” Hundreds of evacuees, including many elderly, are staying at a Red Cross shelter in downtown Spokane.
During a news conference including local, state, and federal officials, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson shared cooperation efforts with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to secure disaster assistance. Ferguson highlighted the swift and profound impact on residents’ lives, stating, “In just a matter of hours, their lives changed in deeply dramatic and fundamental ways.” Additionally, Senator Maria Cantwell warned, “The next couple of days will be challenging,” acknowledging ongoing dangers.
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