Washington wildfire forces thousands to evacuate as blaze threatens 4,000 structures

Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency and burn ban in Washington on Saturday as the fast-moving Old Trails Fire consumed nearly 3,000 acres in Spokane County, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes while officials warned that approximately 4,000 structures lay directly in the blaze's path.

Evacuation orders and emergency warnings

Authorities issued the highest Level 3 evacuation order for several areas in Spokane County, with emergency officials urging residents to "leave now due to the life-threatening conditions." An evacuation shelter was opened at a local community college to accommodate displaced families, while the fire prompted additional evacuations at Spokane's veterans' hospital, a water reclamation facility, and a waste-to-energy plant.

Ferguson said Spokane was "rapidly moving into a crisis situation" as the National Weather Service issued its first-ever Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning for Central and Eastern Washington. "Our hearts go out to Washingtonians who are losing their homes and being evacuated," the governor said in a statement, according to CNN.

Firefighting deployment and damage outlook

Across Washington, more than 200,000 acres are burning in 12 large wildfires, with more than 4,000 firefighting personnel deployed to contain the blazes, state officials said. State Forester George Geissler confirmed the Old Trails Fire has already affected structures, though the full extent of damage remains unclear as crews continue battling flames fueled by low humidity and ongoing drought conditions.

Washington National Guard Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh warned that communities could face extensive damage when daylight reveals the fire's impact. "When the sun sets and the sun rises in the morning, I think we're going to be in shock to see some of the scenes that emerge out of there," he said. The cause of the fire, which began around noon Saturday, remains under investigation.