600 structures destroyed, 60,000 evacuated as wildfires burn near Spokane
More than 600 structures have been destroyed and about 60,000 people have been evacuated as three wildfires burned out of control near Spokane, Washington, according to officials. All three fires remain 0% contained.
The Autumn Lane, Old Trails and Fairview fires have burned roughly 7,500 acres across the Spokane area, KREM 2 reported Sunday, citing fire authorities. Evacuation orders remain in effect in several communities.
The Autumn Lane Fire, burning northwest of Nine Mile Falls, has grown to nearly 3,500 acres. The Old Trails Fire, near Old Trails Road and Riverside State Park, has also burned more than 3,500 acres since Saturday afternoon.
The Fairview Fire has burned about 900 acres near Mead. Officials said all three fires remain active and could continue to grow as changing winds complicate efforts to bring them under control.
Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall said the Level 3 evacuation area included more than 14,000 structures, including just over 10,000 single-family and multi-family homes. About 60,000 people were evacuated from the area.
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown described the fires as “the worst natural disaster our region has faced.” She said hundreds of homes and other structures had been lost and officials are still assessing whether anyone had died.
Spokane Fire Chief Tom Williams said there were no reported injuries and no one was known to be unaccounted for as of Sunday, but warned that could change because of the scale of the disaster.
More than 900 personnel from multiple agencies are battling the Spokane fires with helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, engines, bulldozers and hand crews. More than 100 Washington National Guard members have also been deployed to Spokane streets.
The fires are among 15 major wildfires burning across Washington, where more than 250,000 acres are on fire. About 4,000 personnel are battling fires statewide, with crews arriving from 12 states and Australia.
“This is an extraordinary wildfire season in the Pacific Northwest. It’s not a normal season,” Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove said.
Governor Bob Ferguson said many residents lost everything within a matter of hours. He spoke with President Donald Trump about the severity of the disaster and said the president expressed support for those affected.
Officials asked residents to follow evacuation orders and warned that the fires remain dangerous and unpredictable. The causes remain under investigation.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
