Spokane-area wildfires destroy 600 structures and force 60,000 to evacuate
Wildfires in and around Spokane, Washington, had forced about 60,000 people to evacuate and destroyed at least 600 homes, businesses and other structures by Monday, August 3, 2026, according to authorities cited by The Associated Press.
The fires had burned about 12.5 square miles by Monday morning and remained 0% contained, according to a Washington State Department of Natural Resources spokesperson cited by AP. Those figures are time-specific and could change as crews assess damage and fire behavior.
The emergency has disrupted more than firefighting operations. Residents have needed shelter, schools have opened emergency child-care services, and Spokane County court trials scheduled for the week were continued.
Fire danger remained active Monday
Cooler temperatures and lighter winds were forecast to help firefighters, but no rain was expected. Officials continued to warn that the region was not out of danger.
No deaths had been reported in the latest AP update, but the assessment remained early while multiple fires continued to burn. Investigators had not determined how the blazes started.
Smoke and haze were reported in the Spokane area. Smoke can affect people beyond the active fire perimeter, including residents with respiratory conditions and travelers moving through the region. Air-quality conditions may change quickly with fire behavior and wind.
Shelter, schools and courts affected
Spokane opened a shelter at the city’s main convention center, where about 400 people were staying Sunday, AP reported. That number is separate from the broader evacuation figure and does not represent all people who left their homes.
Spokane Public Schools opened a free emergency drop-in camp for children Monday as families dealt with evacuations and disrupted routines. Spokane County court trials scheduled for the week were continued to the week of August 10.
Officials also said Sunday that evacuees included patients at Spokane’s U.S. Veterans Affairs hospital, adding complexity to emergency planning and assistance systems.
What residents should watch
People in or near evacuation areas should follow the latest official evacuation level and leave immediately if ordered to do so. Residents should check Spokane County emergency alerts and evacuation maps before traveling or attempting to return.
Washington wildfire incident information and local emergency-management updates may change as fire conditions, shelter capacity and access routes shift. Residents should not assume that cooler weather means an area is safe for re-entry.
People who may need to move quickly should prepare medications, identification, chargers, water and essential documents. Households with children, pets, medical needs or limited transportation should plan for rapid movement and monitor official instructions.
Smoke exposure and visibility may also affect health and travel outside the active fire area. Residents should monitor the National Weather Service Spokane and other official air-quality information for current conditions.
What happens next
Fire crews were expected to continue working under cooler but still dry conditions. Officials will continue damage assessments, containment updates and decisions about evacuation levels, shelter operations and public services.
Until authorities issue a specific re-entry update, evacuated residents should remain guided by official orders rather than by weather changes alone.
Sources
- Associated Press: Cooler weather may aid firefighters battling wildfires in eastern Washington
- Spokane County Emergency Management
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources: Current Wildfire Incident Information
- National Weather Service Spokane
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