600 Structures Destroyed as Wildfires Rage Uncontained Near Spokane

Three wildfires burning in and around Spokane, Washington, have destroyed roughly 600 structures and remain completely uncontained, officials said Sunday, as evacuation orders forced tens of thousands of residents from their homes over the weekend.

The fires — the Old Trails Fire, Autumn Lane Fire and Fairview Fire — broke out Saturday afternoon west and north of the city and have since been grouped together as the Spokane Area Fires complex. CNN reported the fires had burned more than 7,000 acres combined with 0% containment as of Sunday.

The Old Trails Fire, the largest of the three, crossed the Spokane River and pushed into northwest Spokane itself. Spokane City Fire Chief Tom Williams said the Autumn Lane Fire “is still very active” and will remain so for some time. No deaths or serious injuries have been confirmed, according to Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels.

Evacuation estimates have varied as the situation develops, with CNN reporting as many as 60,000 people evacuated countywide. A shelter has been opened for evacuees at the Spokane Convention Center. Some residents have already returned to burned neighborhoods to sift through rubble for salvageable belongings.

Smoke from the fires has pushed Spokane's air quality into the “very unhealthy” range, with the city's Air Quality Index reaching 207 Sunday — the second-worst in the country, behind only Omak, Washington. The National Weather Service issued air quality alerts for numerous eastern Washington counties, warning that fine particulate levels may stay unhealthy through the week.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency and issued a burn ban running through September 30. The cause of the Old Trails Fire remains under investigation by the state Department of Natural Resources.

The blazes come during what state officials are calling one of Washington's worst wildfire years in nearly half a decade. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove said more than 1,000 fires have burned roughly 425,000 acres statewide so far in 2026 — the most since 2021 — amid a record-setting statewide drought. “Our firefighters are already stretched thin across the state,” he said, “and with more heat and wind expected this weekend and for the rest of the summer.”

Fire crews continue to battle the complex with no containment yet reported. WECU News will update this story as conditions develop.

Sources:

KHQ — Evacuations expanded for Spokane Area Fires burning 5,390 acres, 600 structures destroyed

CNN — Live updates: Washington wildfires; Spokane County homes destroyed in fast-moving blaze

Forbes — The Wildfire Disaster Unfolding In Spokane, Washington

The Watchers — Spokane wildfires destroy 600 structures, force evacuation of 5,000 homes

NPR — Thousands of people under evacuation order from wildfires in Spokane, Wash.