Wind-driven wildfire prompts evacuations in eastern Washington

A wildfire, dubbed the Old Trails Fire, rapidly engulfed northwest Spokane on a scorching Saturday, August 1, 2026. The blaze, fueled by strong winds and soaring temperatures, initially ignited around noon in a brush and grass patch, swiftly spreading towards residential areas. As the fire progressed, cars lined up on the roads as residents hurried to evacuate their homes. A wall of orange and red flames could be seen from the highway, alongside a towering plume of smoke billowing across the region.

Courtney James, spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, reported that about 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) of terrain had been incinerated by the time evening approached. The origin of the fire remained under investigation. "We strongly advise Spokane residents to heed evacuation orders and remain vigilant to shifting conditions and potential further evacuations," James urged.

Jessica Watson, a DNR spokesperson, added that while some structures had been lost, an exact count was not yet available. Firefighters were still battling an uncontained inferno as wind conditions persisted. Power company Avista implemented public safety shutoffs in the affected area due to the heightened fire risk. Governor Bob Ferguson subsequently declared a state of emergency on Saturday, following a string of record wildfires across the state.

The National Weather Service had previously issued a "particularly dangerous situation" red flag alert for eastern Washington, signaling the extreme dangers of the ongoing fires.