A week has now passed since the Spokane Complex Fires began. Driven by hot, dry conditions and strong winds, the blazes quickly became what Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown described as the worst natural disaster the region has faced.
As of this writing, firefighters have established containment lines around portions of the Spokane-area wildfires. However, thousands of residents remain evacuated as officials continue to warn of dangerous fire-weather conditions.
Approximately 67,000 people have been affected by evacuation orders in the Spokane area. Meanwhile, the fast-moving blazes have destroyed hundreds of structures, according to the latest available reporting. The fires have destroyed homes and other structures across several Spokane-area communities. Meanwhile, heavy wildfire smoke has affected air quality across eastern Washington.
What Happened in Spokane?
The smoke has contributed to hazardous air-quality conditions, while officials continue to restrict access to some evacuated areas. Three separate blazes—the Autumn Lane, Fairview, and Old Trails fires—spread rapidly through the Spokane area amid hot, dry conditions and strong winds.
The fires rapidly spread into populated areas, heavily affecting communities including Mead, Nine Mile Falls, and Spokane’s Indian Trail neighborhood. This forced thousands of residents to evacuate within hours.
As of the latest incident update, the three fires had burned more than 10,000 acres combined. Firefighters have established containment lines around portions of all three fires, while crews continue mop-up operations and work to strengthen those lines. Fire officials continue to prepare for potentially critical fire-weather conditions.
Damages, Evacuations, and Community Impact
The latest available damage assessments put the number of destroyed buildings at about 850, although officials continue to assess the full extent of the damage. Despite the scale of the destruction, no civilian fatalities have been reported.
Evacuation orders remain in effect in parts of the Spokane area, while approximately 67,000 people have been affected by evacuation orders. Power outages and road restrictions have also affected communities in the fire area.
In addition to causing vast property losses, the fires have disrupted local commerce throughout the Spokane area. Smoke, power outages and evacuation restrictions have disrupted businesses, restaurants and other services across affected communities.
Agriculture is also being affected, with animals evacuated from areas threatened by the fires. The Spokane County Fairgrounds have also been used to shelter evacuated animals.
The Spokane Convention Center and other facilities have been used to shelter residents displaced by the fires. Some displaced residents have also stayed with family, friends or other members of the community.
Firefighters and Emergency Response
Local crews from the Spokane Fire Department, Spokane Valley Fire Department and Spokane County fire districts are also supporting the response.
Ground crews have used bulldozers to build and reinforce containment lines, while National Guard helicopters have supported firefighting operations from the air. These efforts have helped crews establish and strengthen containment lines around the fires.
Washington National Guard Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh described the burned areas as a “war zone” and warned, “We are still in the fight. There’s still a lot of danger.”
Weather, Wind and Fire Conditions
Hot and dry conditions have affected Washington and much of the United States during the ongoing summer heat. These factors have contributed to extremely favorable conditions for rapid fire spread. Strong winds also contributed to the rapid spread of the fires into populated areas.
As of Saturday, hot temperatures, low humidity, and shifting winds continue to pose challenging fire-weather conditions. These conditions could contribute to additional fire spread. An Air Quality Alert has also been issued for parts of eastern Washington, according to the latest available information.
The alert reflects elevated levels of wildfire smoke affecting the region. The smoke has contributed to hazardous air quality and reduced visibility in affected areas.
Investigation and Cause
Investigators are continuing to examine the causes of the three fires. Authorities have charged a man with first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, while the causes of the Autumn Lane and Fairview fires remain under investigation. The investigation into the fires’ points of origin remains ongoing, with local and federal authorities assisting investigators.
What Residents Should Know
Residents should follow all active evacuation orders and leave immediately if their area is placed under a Level 3 evacuation order. Residents should not rely solely on social media for emergency information. Instead, residents should monitor official emergency alerts and evacuation information from Spokane County and local emergency-management authorities.
Do not enter areas that remain closed or under evacuation orders. Conditions can change quickly, so residents should remain prepared for additional evacuation orders or other emergency instructions. Residents should also check official local transportation and emergency-management updates for road closures before traveling through affected areas.
A Developing Situation
The situation surrounding the Spokane Complex Fires remains fluid, with evacuation orders still affecting residents and hundreds of buildings destroyed. Firefighters continue to establish containment line while coping with tough weather and smoke conditions. The situation can change very fast with the weather changing.
Sources:
California Interagency Incident Management Team 7
Editor’s Disclaimer: This article was prepared using information available at the time of publication from emergency officials, incident-management authorities, and established news organizations. Wildfire conditions, evacuation orders, containment levels, damage assessments, and other figures can change rapidly as response efforts continue. Readers should consult local and state emergency officials for the latest evacuation instructions and safety information. Presence News will update this article as significant new information becomes available.
