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Thousands of people under evacuation order from wildfires in Spokane, Wash.
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- Residents in Spokane, Washington, have been ordered to urgently evacuate due to three fast-moving wildfires, with the Old Trails Fire burning over 3,500 acres and threatening up to 5,000 structures.
- The Washington National Guard deployed 30 members to assist local responders, while Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency and imposed a burn ban to curb fire risks amid record drought conditions.
- The fires, driven by strong winds and low humidity, have displaced many residents, with the Spokane convention center opened as an emergency shelter; power outages have affected nearly 11,000 customers, mostly in Spokane County.
- Washington is battling multiple large fires statewide, with over 1,000 fires burning approximately 425,000 acres so far this year, marking one of the busiest wildfire seasons on record amid ongoing drought and heat.
- Officials urge residents to remain vigilant, follow emergency instructions, and avoid activities that could spark new fires, as firefighters are stretched thin and conditions remain hazardous.
