Wildfires force evacuation of 65,000 in Spokane, Washington

Wildfires driven by severe drought and record heat swept through Spokane, Washington, on Monday, prompting the evacuation of roughly 65,000 residents and leaving hundreds of structures reduced to cinders. Firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, local fire departments, and the National Guard worked around the clock to contain the rapidly spreading flames, which were fueled by dry vegetation and high winds.

The blaze, which began in the early afternoon, spread across the city’s outskirts and into suburban neighborhoods, forcing emergency shelters to open across the region. Local officials reported that more than 200 homes and commercial buildings were destroyed, with additional damage to infrastructure such as power lines and roads. While the fire was eventually brought under control by the evening, authorities warned that lingering hot spots could reignite if conditions remain dry.

Spokane’s emergency management agencies have issued ongoing advisories for residents to stay away from affected areas and to monitor updates from the Washington State Emergency Management Office. The incident underscores the heightened wildfire risk in the Pacific Northwest, where prolonged drought and unprecedented temperatures have increased the frequency and intensity of such events.