Evacuations ordered in Washington state as wildfire spreads through Spokane
Gov. Bob Ferguson (D-WA) declared a state of emergency on Saturday as “unusually high temperatures and high winds” exacerbated record-setting wildfires and prompted evacuations throughout Spokane County and surrounding areas.
TL;DR
- Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency on Saturday.
- Unusually high temperatures and high winds are worsening record-setting wildfires.
- Evacuations are underway in Spokane County and surrounding areas.
- More than 200,000 acres are burning in 12 large fires across eastern Washington.
- The state is in its fourth consecutive statewide drought.
- The "Old Trails Fire" prompted Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation warnings in western Spokane.
- A statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning is in effect until the end of September.
- Other Northwest states like Idaho, Montana, and Oregon are also at risk of fire spread and erratic fire behavior.
- This year is one of the busiest wildfire years on record, with firefighters already stretched thin.