About 60,000 ordered to evacuate from fires in Spokane, Washington

Wildfires have forced the evacuation of approximately 60,000 residents in the Spokane area of Washington state, according to local authorities. The Spokane Area Fire, consisting of three separate blazes, has burned 5,390 acres, with the incident management team reporting. The fires have destroyed 600 buildings, including homes and businesses, in the region.

Spokane Fire Chief Tom Williams confirmed to Reuters that the fires were still uncontained. No injuries or fatalities have been reported thus far. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown described the situation as "the worst natural disaster our region has faced." Around 10,000 electricity customers in the area were without power as of Sunday afternoon, reported Avista Utilities CEO Heather Rosentrader.

State officials have indicated that over 250,000 acres are currently burning across Washington state. Governor Bob Ferguson of Washington contacted US President Donald Trump on Sunday, requesting aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the governor declared a statewide emergency.