Power cut to thousands, evacuations remain as crews work to contain historic wildfires raging in Northwest
A historic wildfire emergency has forced at least 65,000 people from their homes, completely upending local communities as the most destructive wildfire in Washington state history tears through the region. The Spokane Complex Fire has destroyed over 700 structures and scorched more than 10,000 acres, leaving neighborhoods shattered and completely unrecognizable.
SPOKANE, Washington - A historic wildfire emergency has forced at least 65,000 people from their homes, completely upending local communities as the most destructive wildfire in Washington state history tears through the region.
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The Spokane Complex Fire has destroyed over 700 structures and scorched more than 10,000 acres, leaving neighborhoods shattered and completely unrecognizable. Meanwhile, crews continue to work around the clock to increase containment.
Three major fires are burning around the Spokane area. Both the Autumn Lane and Fairview Fires sit at 13% containment, while the Old Trails Fire is just 5% contained.
The Autumn Lane Fire has crossed the Spokane River into the Indian Trail neighborhood, while the Old Trails Fire continues to spread northwest of the city, threatening homes, nearby communities and water systems in affected areas.
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Meanwhile, the Fairview Fire is burning northeast of Spokane and is threatening both neighborhoods and critical power infrastructure.
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More than a thousand homes remain under evacuation orders, with the highest-level evacuations in place across parts of north and northwest Spokane, including the Indian Trail area and communities near Riverside State Park and Nine Mile Falls.
Thousands of customers are also without power as firefighters battle the fires and utilities shut off electricity in some areas for safety.
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Additionally, air quality continues to be impacted as calmer winds continue to keep the smoke trapped.
In fact, smoke has begun reaching California as well as impacting national parks throughout the Pacific Northwest.
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Although winds have been calmer, conditions are expected to worsen Friday. A combination of increasing westerly winds, intense heat, and dry air has prompted the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) to add an elevated wildfire risk across the region into Saturday.
Authorities confirmed that they have a 37-year-old suspect in custody in connection to the devastating fires.
Fueled by a volatile combination of strong winds, dry vegetation, and rugged terrain, the fires erupted over the weekend under extreme conditions.
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The threat of explosive growth prompted the SPC to issue a rare 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' (PDS) Fire Weather Warning across parts of central and eastern Washington.
Thousands underwent mass evacuations, as residents across the region were ordered to leave immediately.
Days later, those Level 3 'Go Now' evacuation orders remain in place for parts of northwest Spokane, Riverside State Park, the West Plains, and surrounding communities.
Spokane Veterans Affairs also evacuated as officials transferred patients needing continued care to local hospitals, while over two dozen patients were relocated to shelters under VA staff supervision. The campus remains closed until further notice.
Additionally, the Spokane Humane Society successfully evacuated all the animals in their care and they are safe.
STATE OF EMERGENCY ISSUED IN WASHINGTON AS DANGEROUS WILDFIRES SPREAD ACROSS THE NORTHWEST
To accelerate relief efforts, both state and local leaders have enacted emergency measures.
Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide state of emergency—enforcing a strict outdoor burn ban through September 30—while Spokane County officials issued their own targeted emergency to aid in timely response efforts.
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Fire departments from across the region, as well as the country are assisting with wildfire response efforts, utilizing brush trucks and providing additional personnel.
Stick with FOX Weather for the latest updates on the raging wildfires across the Pacific Northwest
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