Wind-driven wildfire prompts evacuations in eastern Washington
Summary
A fast-moving wildfire called the Old Trails Fire spread quickly through northwest Spokane, Washington, on August 1, 2026, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. The fire burned nearly 4 square miles, jumped the Spokane River, destroyed some buildings, and was still not contained by evening.Key Facts
- The Old Trails Fire started around noon on August 1, 2026, in an open area with brush and grass.
- Strong winds and high heat caused the fire to spread fast toward homes.
- Thousands of Spokane residents evacuated as the fire got closer to neighborhoods.
- Nearly 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) had burned by evening.
- The fire crossed the Spokane River, increasing the threat to more areas.
- Firefighters had not contained the fire by the evening, and winds kept blowing.
- Some buildings were destroyed, but no exact number of losses was available.
- Washington’s governor declared a state of emergency due to high temperatures and wildfires.
- The National Weather Service issued a high-risk "red flag" warning for eastern Washington.
- Power company Avista shut off electricity in some areas to reduce fire risks.
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