Fast-moving wildfires in Spokane, Washington destroy 600 buildings, force evacuation of thousands

Fast-moving wildfires in Spokane, Washington, have destroyed approximately 600 buildings and forced the evacuation of 5,000 homes. Driven by 45 mph wind gusts, extreme heat, and a record-setting drought, the uncontained Old Trails Fire jumped the Spokane River, threatening critical infrastructure and a veterans' hospital. Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency, deploying the National Guard and 4,000 firefighters to combat the crisis, which has scorched over 250,000 acres statewide.

Old Trails Fire evacuation orders

• ▪The Old Trails Fire northwest of Spokane, Washington, triggered Level 3 "Leave Now!" evacuation orders for approximately 5,000 homes.
• ▪Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown confirmed the evacuation of several facilities, including a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital, water reclamation facilities, and a waste-to-energy plant.

Extreme fire weather conditions

• ▪The National Weather Service issued a "particularly dangerous situation" red flag alert for eastern Washington due to wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph and low humidity.
• ▪Steep canyons flanking the Spokane River channel and accelerate winds, pushing the fire rapidly up slopes and through neighborhoods.

Structural damage to buildings

• ▪Wildfires in the Spokane area destroyed approximately 600 homes, businesses, and other structures.
• ▪The Old Trails Fire threatened up to 5,000 structures and burned over 3,500 acres by August 2, 2026.

Emergency response resource deployment

• ▪Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency, mobilizing the National Guard and implementing a statewide burn ban through September 30, 2026.
• ▪Approximately 4,000 firefighters, alongside National Guard personnel and crews from multiple states, were deployed to battle the wildfires.

Washington statewide wildfire crisis

• ▪More than a dozen significant wildfires burned over 250,000 acres across Washington state as of August 2, 2026.
• ▪Washington state experienced its busiest wildfire season since 2021, with over 1,000 fires burning approximately 425,000 acres amid a record-setting drought.