SPOKANE, Wash. — Thousands of people fled their homes Saturday as the fast-moving Old Trails Fire spread across eastern Washington, jumped the Spokane River and reached northwest Spokane amid strong winds, dry conditions and high temperatures.
The fire started around noon and quickly moved north and east toward residential areas, prompting evacuation orders that gave residents little time to prepare.
By Saturday evening, the fire had burned nearly 4 square miles, according to Courtney James, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Firefighters had reported no containment as winds continued to fuel the blaze.
“We urge residents of Spokane to heed evacuation orders and to stay alert to changing conditions and evacuations as they are rapidly changing,” James said.
Several structures were destroyed, but officials had not determined the full number of losses as of Saturday afternoon, DNR spokesperson Jessica Watson said.
The fire sent a large plume of smoke across the region as firefighters worked to slow its spread.
Avista implemented public safety power shutoffs in areas facing elevated wildfire risks.
Officials have not determined what started the fire and continue to investigate its cause.
Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency Saturday as the fire threatened communities in the Spokane area.
The National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warning for eastern Washington, signaling conditions favorable for extreme fire behavior.
The Spokane County Board of Commissioners also held an emergency meeting Saturday evening and unanimously approved a state of emergency declaration.
The declaration gives the sheriff’s office and local emergency management agencies additional authority to bypass normal purchasing procedures when obtaining emergency equipment and supplies.
“My heart goes out to those who have been affected by these devastating fires and my prayers are with the first responders who will continue working through the night and into tomorrow,” Board Chair Mary Brooks said.
