Evacuations in Eastern Washington Due to Fast-Moving Wildfire

A swiftly advancing wildfire, fueled by intense winds and high temperatures, has led to the evacuation of thousands in eastern Washington. Known as the Old Trails Fire, it ignited around noon on Saturday, rapidly spreading through brush and grasslands toward nearby residential areas.

In Spokane, officials declared a state of emergency as residents hurried to escape, creating long lines of vehicles on the roads. The flames, glowing in shades of orange and red, were visible from major highways. Observers on W. Northwest Blvd. in Spokane witnessed the blaze on August 1, 2026, as seen in a photo by AP’s Young Kwak.

Officials confirmed that several structures and homes have been destroyed, but the full extent of the damage remains unknown while the fire rages.

The fire has released a significant plume of smoke across the region. By evening, it had scorched nearly 4 square miles (approximately 10 square kilometers), according to Courtney James, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

The fire’s origin is still under investigation.

James urged Spokane residents to follow evacuation orders and remain aware of the rapidly changing conditions. The situation remained dire with zero containment reported by Saturday night, as winds persisted, noted Jessica Watson, another spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources.

To address the heightened fire risk, Avista, the local power company, enacted public safety power shutoffs in the affected area.

Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency Saturday, citing the abnormal weather conditions worsened by extraordinary heat and wind, which have intensified record-setting wildfires across Washington.

“The situation in Spokane is highly unpredictable,” Ferguson stated during a Saturday press briefing. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service issued a red flag alert, indicating a particularly dangerous situation, specifically for eastern Washington.