Overview
- The Old Trails Fire ignited on Saturday and, propelled by gusts up to about 45 mph, jumped the Spokane River and spread into northwest Spokane prompting Level 3 “leave now” orders for thousands of homes.
- Three major Spokane-area blazes — Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane — have burned roughly 5,300–5,400 acres combined and were reported at 0% containment as of the latest incident reports.
- Authorities said roughly 5,000–10,000 homes were ordered evacuated and provisional counts indicate about 600 structures have been destroyed, with damage assessments still under way.
- State and federal officials activated a large multi-agency response that includes the Washington National Guard, crews from more than a dozen states and international assistance, while utilities carried out public-safety power shutoffs that left thousands without electricity.
- Officials continue investigating fire origins as weather forecasts warn of continued gusty, very dry conditions that limit aerial work and keep the situation volatile during initial recovery and federal assistance requests.