Spokane Wildfire Emergency
Washington Governor Declares Emergency as Uncontained Wildfires Force Thousands to Evacuate Spokane
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Key Points
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Washington state mobilized the National Guard to assist in fighting the Old Trails Fire, with firefighters from more than a dozen states deployed to the Spokane area.
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Spokane evacuation zones were explicitly defined, with boundaries including Newkirk Road to the north, Trails to the south, Dowdy to the east and Westwood to the west, and further expansions to Woodside and Nine Mile/Assembly.
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A large area blackout affected about 40,000 customers amid the fire response, reflecting extensive power outages tied to the statewide firefighting efforts.
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Old Trails Fire had burned more than 2,300 acres by Saturday night and remained uncontained, underscoring the rapid-fire growth under red-flag conditions.
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By mid-afternoon, about 200 homes in Spokane had been evacuated as authorities warned conditions could change quickly.
A fast-moving wildfire tore through northwest Spokane on Saturday, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes under Level 3 evacuation orders — meaning leave now. The Old Trails Fire started around noon, burned more than 2,300 acres by nightfall, and remained zero percent contained, according to Oregon Live.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency and issued a burn ban as fires raged across the region. The National Guard was mobilized, firefighters from more than a dozen states were deployed to Spokane, and about 40,000 customers lost power amid the chaos.
Old Trails Fire Crosses the Spokane River Unchecked
The Old Trails Fire ignited around noon Saturday and exploded in size within hours. Strong winds and high temperatures created red-flag fire weather — conditions where fires spread fast and are hard to stop. Dry brush and grass fed the blaze, pushing it across a wide area of northwest Spokane, according to Oregon Live.
The fire even crossed the Spokane River, moving into new territory and threatening thousands of structures. By Saturday evening, estimates placed the burn area between 2,300 and 3,000 acres — roughly 4 square miles. Containment remained at zero, according to Head Topics.
Evacuation Zones Expand as Thousands Flee Spokane Neighborhoods
Spokane officials issued Level 3 evacuation orders for northwest and northeast neighborhoods. The zones stretched from Newkirk Road to the north, Trails to the south, Dowdy to the east, and Westwood to the west. Authorities later expanded orders to include Woodside and the Nine Mile and Assembly areas, according to Freedom 96.9.
By mid-afternoon, about 200 homes had already been evacuated. Emergency shelters opened, including one at Spokane Falls Community College. Officials warned that fire behavior could change quickly and urged residents to leave without delay, Oregon Live reported.
Governor Declares Emergency as Power Shutoffs Hit 40,000 Customers
Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency to free up resources and speed the response. He also issued a statewide burn ban as drought conditions worsened fire risks across Washington. Utilities enacted public safety power shutoffs in at-risk areas to prevent power lines from sparking new fires, according to Freedom 96.9.
About 40,000 customers lost power during the emergency. The shutoffs were a deliberate tool — cutting electricity to reduce ignition risk. A second fire, the Fairview Fire, was also burning nearby, adding to the strain on crews and resources across the region.
Firefighters From 12+ States Battle Blaze as Lincoln County Burns Too
Responders from more than a dozen states arrived in the Spokane area to help battle the Old Trails Fire. The Washington National Guard was also activated to support the effort. Officials held emergency press briefings and warned the public that conditions remained fluid and dangerous, according to Freedom 96.9.
The fire emergency was not limited to Spokane. Evacuation orders were also issued near Fort Spokane in Lincoln County, where a separate wildfire threatened residents along Miles Road and Phillips Lane. Officials told residents in that area to leave immediately, according to KXLY.
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