Spokane-area fires destroy about 600 structures as evacuations continue

Fires near Spokane had destroyed about 600 structures by Aug. 2 and prompted large-scale evacuations, according to the Associated Press, as some Spokane-area fires remained uncontained.

The destruction figure is preliminary and applies collectively to fires near Spokane, not necessarily to structures within Spokane city limits. The number was expected to change as fire assessment continued.

The fires were part of a broader Washington wildfire emergency. AP reported that evacuations affected about 60,000 people statewide as of Aug. 2, while about 390 square miles had burned across fires in the state. Those evacuation and burn-area figures were also reported during an active emergency and should not be treated as final totals.

Fire crossed the Spokane River

A wind-driven wildfire spread through northwest Spokane on Aug. 1, crossing the Spokane River and prompting evacuations of thousands of people, AP reported.

High temperatures and strong winds intensified the fire danger, according to AP’s Aug. 1 coverage. The National Weather Service issued a particularly dangerous situation red-flag alert for eastern Washington, signaling heightened wildfire conditions.

The available reporting did not provide containment percentages for the Spokane-area fires. By Aug. 2, however, AP said some of the fires remained uncontained.

Statewide emergency declaration

Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency on Aug. 1 as fires threatened communities in and around Spokane and elsewhere in Washington.

The governor’s wildfire resource page identifies the statewide declaration and provides links to Spokane incident resources, including Spokane County evacuation information, public-safety information and shelter resources for affected residents.

Residents in affected areas should use Spokane County evacuation information and the state’s wildfire resources for current instructions. Evacuation conditions and structure-loss estimates can change as emergency operations continue.

What the early totals mean

The approximately 600 destroyed structures reported near Spokane represents a major early measure of damage, but it is not a final accounting. The report does not establish where every destroyed structure was located, whether each was a home or another type of building, or a cause for the fires.

The confirmed developments are that the Aug. 1 fire spread through northwest Spokane, crossed the Spokane River, forced evacuations, and unfolded amid a statewide emergency. As of Aug. 2, fire activity near Spokane was still not fully contained.