Image: from Rose X @feyzaozdemir281
By Open Chronicle with agencies
Authorities in Washington State have ordered approximately 60,000 residents to evacuate as multiple wildfires continue to spread rapidly, threatening neighborhoods around the city of Spokane and prompting a statewide emergency response.
The largest threat comes from the Spokane Area Fire, a complex of three separate wildfires that has expanded quickly under hot, dry and windy conditions. According to Spokane Fire Chief Tom Williams, the fires are advancing toward residential communities covered by mandatory evacuation orders.
A federal incident management team said the Spokane Area Fire had burned about 5,390 acres by Sunday, while officials reported that no fatalities or injuries had been recorded.
🔥 More than 600 structures are destroyed and around 60,000 people evacuated as wildfires continue to devastate Washington state's Spokane region
Fifteen active fires have scorched nearly 101,000 hectares, while strong winds and low humidity keep the blazes out of control
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Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown described the crisis as unprecedented for the region.
“This is the worst natural disaster our region has ever faced,” Brown said as emergency crews continued efforts to protect homes and critical infrastructure.
NEW: Thousands told to evacuate as wildfires worsen in Washington state The Washington National Guard said on X it was “rapidly mobilizing units” to assist Spokane.
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The fires have also caused significant disruptions to essential services. Heather Rosentrater, chief executive of utility company Avista, said around 10,000 customers were without electricity by Sunday afternoon as flames damaged power infrastructure and forced precautionary shutdowns.
Across Washington State, more than 250,000 acres are currently burning, making it one of the state’s most severe wildfire emergencies in recent years.
Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide state of emergency and announced that he had requested federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency after speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday.
Emergency responders, firefighters and law enforcement agencies remain deployed across affected areas, while evacuation centres have been established to shelter displaced residents.
Meteorologists warned that continued high temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds could further complicate firefighting operations in the coming days, raising concerns that the fires may continue to expand unless weather conditions improve.
Authorities have urged residents in evacuation zones to leave immediately and remain alert for further emergency updates as crews work to contain the fast moving blazes.