Spokane, Washington, August 5, 2026 — A cluster of wildfires that swept through the Spokane area over the weekend forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate, burned more than 7,000 acres and destroyed at least 700 structures, officials said Tuesday.
Firefighters were still working Tuesday on the Old Trails Fire, Fairview Fire and Autumn Lane Fire, as dry vegetation, high heat and strong winds helped to spread flames into residential neighborhoods. The fires outspread emergency resources and forced evacuation orders across several neighborhoods, making management efforts more difficult, officials said.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources and National Weather Service Spokane said the combination of extreme heat, long-term drought and strong winds created hazardous fire conditions. Avista said around 10,000 customers lost electricity after crews disconnected damaged lines to safeguard public safety and start repairs.
Spokane Fire Chief Tom Williams told Reuters that the fires continued to threaten areas already under evacuation orders as flames moved closer to populated communities. Mayor Lisa Brown said approximately half of Spokane’s neighborhoods had either been evacuated or at risk, underscoring how quickly the emergency had spread from open land to residential areas.
Residents illustrated the situation of leaving in a rush as flames approached. Alisha Davidson, an evacuee, said she fled with her husband and dogs as flames approached their home. Emergency officials said many displaced residents were staying in temporary shelters with their closed ones or at evacuation centres while waiting for updates.
Authorities were also investigating whether arson played a role in one of the blazes. Police arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with the Old Trails Fire and accused him of knowingly and maliciously starting it, officials said. The reasons for the Fairview and Autumn Lane fires remain under investigation.
Weather officials said cooler temperatures and higher humidity were helping fire crews, but the risk remained high. National Weather Service Meteorologist Joseph Clevenger said winds returning afterwards in the day could worsen conditions. According to the
As firefighters worked to contain the fires, Spokane County Emergency Management said the full extent of the damage was still being examined. Shelters remained open, while emergency crews worked to restore power, reopen roads and assess damaged structures.
Featured Photo by photo-graphe, Pixabay
